THE Justice Forum (JEEMA) political party has today released a press statement on the coronavirus epidemic saying, by directing over 15M students to go back to their respective homes was unnecessary, the President acted in a panic mode!
In a statement signed and read out to journalists at the Party Headquaters in Mengo Kampala, JEEMA President Hon. Asuman Basalirwa said, “We recognize that prevention is better than cure but it is also important not to act in a panic mode. A self-imposed quarantine may have far reaching negative ramifications economically, politically, spiritually and socially hence calling for a delicate balance. Some of the measures proposed by government require further scrutiny.”
“For instance, wouldn’t it be easier to control learners in boarding schools than at home where some parents may not exercise enough restrictions on their children and those in day schools guided on the best behavioral tendencies?” Asked JEEMA President.
Secondly, he asked, “How will government and school administrators account for the 32 days off to the parents that paid fees for a full term or semester?”
“We also believe that the said measures would have been accompanied by appropriate legal instruments and implementation/monitoring mechanisms. There should have been clear sanctions for any eventual breaches and violations of the proposed measures, to create clarity and effectiveness.” Explained Hon. Basalirwa.
He said it’s true a new strain of corona virus, COVID-19 that was initially discovered in the Huabei Province of China has now affected the entire world prompting the World Health Organisation to declare it as a pandemic but the measures given by Uganda government to tame this virus are wanting.
In his address to the country yesterday the 18th of March, 2020, President Museveni outlined several preventive and containment measures including but not limited to closure of all educational institutions and congregational prayers of all denominations for the next 32 days. Hon. Basalirwa dont agree with closing schools saying it was unnecessary.
He says, “Whereas Jeema welcomes the aforementioned measures, there are remarkable gaps that require serious consideration. What are the 32 days’ shutdown intended to achieve since we have no confirmed case of the virus?”
“When China placed a 7-week quarantine on Wuhan, it was intended to slow down the virus and/or minimize/obliterate it completely. They closed entry from all affected countries and discouraged travel to the worst hit areas.” Said JEEMA President asking, “What will happen after the 32 days shutdown in Uganda? Will the quarantine be lifted in case there are no reported cases of the virus or it will continue as a precautionary measure?”
JEEMA FULL STATEMENT ON CORONAVIRUS
Jeema is equally concerned that the President did not address the economic impact of the virus and the measures to address them.
COVID-19 will definitely plunge the country into an economic imbroglio. Already the tourism sector, a leading foreign exchange earner that contributes about 10% to our GDP is suffering drastically.
The country is likely to lose close to 10 trillion this year if the impact persists. How does government plan to support that sector? We propose that government should consider announcing adequate fiscal and monetary interventions to create a stimulus for the economy.
To this regard, we propose that government considers capping and/or lowering interest rates to facilitate borrowing, extend loans and accessible credit facilities to businesses and vital sectors like the tourism, travel and hotel industry, extend tax cuts on sanitary chemicals/products, give tax holidays and exemptions to struggling businesses and entities.
Since hygiene is a key containment aspect, we propose a reduction on water and power tariffs as an interim measure.
Jeema also expected the President to comment on the current status of the health facilities in the country. This financial year, Ug.shs.2.6 trillion was allocated to the health sector. Not only is it insufficient but COVID-19 was not anticipated.
We are also aware that the Contingency fund in the budget has been depleted to cater for the locusts’ invasion and the Bududa landslides. Government needed to give assurance on the financial resources available to deal with COVID-19.
We propose that money be availed from other sectors to avail at a free or subsidized cost face masks and sanitizers to at least the most vulnerable and impecunious communities like the elderly and disabled.
We also propose that government considers training volunteers to handle simple basics.
JEEMA PARTY APPLAUDS SPEAKER KADAGA
They said, “We are aware that President Museveni held a meeting with an American Professor Sarfaraz Niaz, a reknown inventor of pharmaceutical patents but the details of the said meeting were not disclosed in his address.”
SALUTED: Rt. Hon. Kadaga
“We applaud the Speaker of Parliament of Uganda the Rt. Hon.Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga for disclosing to the country the works of Prof. Niazi especially his efforts in making healthcare affordable.” Said Hon. Basalirwa, adding explaining further that, “Rather than denigrating and bashing the Rt.Hon. Rebecca Kadaga for her revelations and good intentions, bodies like the Uganda Medical Association (UMA) should be working towards understanding the scientific works of the said scholar and advising on how best the country could benefit from his vast knowledge and expertise.”
“It is unfair for UMA and some sections of the public to dismiss the Speaker’s statements without verifying the authenticity of the assertion that there is an effective disinfectant against COVID that the country can exploit and that the said professor was its developer. We hope that the said matter will be clarified by UMA and other relevant authorities.” JEMMA statement reads.
On the whole Jeema considers President Museveni’s address on the current situation of COVID-19 as timely but falls short of addressing the salient key economic stimulants and incidental issues as herein above enumerated.
“Nonetheless, we call upon all Ugandans to adhere to the said guidelines and/or regulations for the good of our country and for the wellbeing of everyone.” Said JEEMA Party president
THE Archbishop Church of Uganda The Most Rev. Steven Kaziimba Mugalu has given out nine ways to Bishops, cleargy and Christians on how to go about President Museveni’s directive to close all Churches and other places of worship in a fight against Coronavirus epidemic.
Scientific weddings president Museveni talked about yesterday
“While it will be very difficult for us not to gather together,” Archbishop Kaziimba has however said, this was inevitable and Church must stand with His Excellency the President in this decision because it will help save lives.
He noted that, “When we have a State of Emergency, we also need Prayers of Emergency. So, I also call on the President to declare a weekly Day of National Prayer during this season to bring us all together in repentance and faith.”
The newly enthroned Archbishop is the Chairman Boards of Directors words of Hope Ministries Uganda which has branches in 18 Dioceses.
He is deputized by his longtime friend Rev. Can. Capt. Titus Baraka.
Through his leadership at the Words of Hope Ministries Uganda, they own radio stations in Mbarara Diocese and other parts of the country.
Quoting the Holly Bible, Dr. Kaziimba said, “As Christians and as the church, we value life and support all efforts to promote life. Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly (John 10.10)’.
In his Statement dated March 18th 2020, Kaziimba has said, by President Museveni announcing the decision of the government to close down all public religious gatherings, including churches, for 32 days, he did this as a father who advises his children on the best way they can stay safe and healthy.
“This decision will have a big impact on how we live and worship as Christians for the next few weeks, and I want to provide some additional guidance to what our President shared.” Statement reads.
ARCHBISHOP’S FULL STATEMENT ON WAY FORWARD
In my Charge, I encouraged the church to develop new tools for ministry and outreach, including radio, television, and social media. I never expected the need for these new tools to come so quickly.
But, here we are. A great evangelist once said, “Your setback can be a setup for our comeback.”
As I shared in last week’s pastoral letter, I want to begin by reminding you of Jesus’ command to not be anxious.
In Lamentations 3.21-23, the Bible says, “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
People have asked me, ‘If we can’t meet for worship in church on Sundays and mid-week, how will we have church?’.
Yes, it will be hard to not meet together on Sundays, but we should be assured of Jesus’ words, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matthew 18.18).
9 WAYS TO GO ABOUT THE DIRECTIVE
1. I have already encouraged Home Cells in my Charge and they are the ideal place for Sunday worship to take place. Some cells may need to sub-divide so they are no more than 10 people. But, Sunday worship can take place with home cells in homes, observing, of course, the appropriate behaviours of not shaking hands or hugging and keeping at least one metre of distance between you and others. If you’re sick, please stay home.
2. I am calling on all husbands and fathers to step up and take responsibility for leading your families in daily home prayers and in Sunday worship. The Family is the smallest church, and every home needs its, “Family Altar.”
3. Some churches have developed the capacity for online streaming of worship services. I call on you to expand that capacity for also broadcasting services without the presence of a congregation. Please also share with your diocese and the provincial office the times and online address for these broadcasts, so others can benefit.
4. We are asking all Bishops to develop “Radio Church,” and asking all radio stations to collaborate with the church under these extraordinary circumstances and provide airtime on Sunday mornings to broadcast local language worship services into every home.
5. We also encourage all Bishops to link with local TV stations for ways to broadcast a local language Sunday service through television. I want to emphasize how this situation reminds us of our great need for a church TV station, as I identified in my Charge, and I hope we will now understand the urgency for it.
6. I will be recording a daily devotion to be circulated on social media and I encourage you to access the devotion through the Church of Uganda’s Facebook page and Twitter accounts. Please use it with your family and home cells. www.facebook.com/ChurchOfUgandaNamirembe/. www.twitter.com/ChurchOfUganda and www.twitter.com/Archbishop_COU.
7. There is an African Proverb that says, “When an African sings, he prays twice.” In Italy, where communities have been locked down for several weeks already, residents in apartment buildings and nearby homes are singing together from their balconies and front doors. Please, take the initiative and be a blessing to your neighbours by singing songs of praise and worship together in our communities…but at a distance!
8. I also want to encourage Christians to reach out to one another in as many ways as possible – phone calls, text messages, social media – so we continue to encourage one another in our faith. This is especially important for the elderly and those who may be isolated. Please make sure they have the practical, emotional, and spiritual support of the Christian community.
9. Do not neglect to worship God through your tithes and offerings.
TITHES & OFFERINGS
a. Bishops and Clergy should explain to their Christians how to use online banking, if available, to continue giving weekly tithes and offerings.
b. Alternatively, using Mobile Money may be another means.
c. It may be possible to pass by your local church during the week and give your offering privately.
d. If none of those are available, I urge every Christian to set aside their weekly tithes and offerings. When we do come back together again – and, we will! – we will have a big in-gathering as a Thanksgiving to God for his great faithfulness (Lam 3.21-23).
WARNING CHURCH
We all know that there are some bad people in the world who will try to take advantage of this crisis.
I’ve already heard about people posing as health officials selling or giving away face masks, but the face masks will sedate people who then get robbed and abused. Likewise, waragi is still not your friend. Stay away from it. Be careful.
Finally, I want us all to seize the spiritual opportunity that is being given to us through this crisis.
The Bible says in 2 Chronicles 7.13-14, “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
I call for this season to be a season of prayer and fasting for our people and our land.
When the Lord shows you areas you need to repent personally, please do it.
Finally, don’t forget to sing about God’s faithfulness in your homes and communities. Why? Because “the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3.21-23)
JUST like we told you today morning, President Museveni has directed that 50,092 schools and other higher institutions of learning on Friday March 20th 2020 must be closed, parents should pick their children by mid day!
This is when government can be in position to ascertain whether the country is totally free of the pandemic!
In all this, students that will be affected are over 15M especially P.7, S.4 and S.6 candidates.
Addressing the Nation at State House Entebbe on Wednesay evenning about Coronavirus, Mr. Museveni read out 13 directives which must be followed if the country is to tame this deadly virus which has invaded the world claiming lives of human race!
Directing all schools to be shutdown on Friday and banning mass gatherings Museveni said, “We must do everything possible to ensure that this enemy (Coronavirus) does not come here. Does not find plenty of dry grass, piled up and ready for ignition. What is the dry grass that can help to start and sustain fire of Coronavirus epidemic?”
“It is the big masses of people, gathered togather and in close proximity. What are these masses of people that are gathered in groups that can easily aide the spread of the virus?” Asked the president.
M7 DESCRIBES CORONAVIRUS
He said: It looks like a crown. This is a new virus that belongs to the family of the common cold. It makes some people very sick because being a new virus, all of may not have immunity against it. Because we have never been exposed to it.
Will Uganda survive?
Fortunately, after listening carefully to our scientists, and after watching commentators in the countries where this virus is already active, it seems to have two characteristics that will help us to survive it and defeat it.
Number one, it does not kill many of the people infected. 150000 infected world wide by yesterday, only about 5000 of them had died. Which works at 3%.
With Ebola in Uganda, the percentage of the people dying was 67%. So it seems Coronavirus doesn’t kill as much as Ebola.
Secondly, this virus enters the body only through the soft parts of the body. Like the nose, eyes and the mouth. It can not go through an intact skin like some of the diseases use to like Leprosy used to do which spread by sharing clothes.
So that means, such diseases could easily enter through other parts not necessarily the soft parts like Coronavirus does.
This therefore means, that if even you go closer to the body of infected person, he or she can only infect you if she sneezes (blowing out) or coughing. If the infected person sneezes or coughs out near you, so that the tiny and invisible mucus or spittle small saliva enter your nostrils, although the infected materials from the body land on the surface like a table, the chair, a door handle, where the virus can stay alive for three hours, and then you touch it, and then you touch your soft parts of the body, the eyes, the mouth and the nose.
That is how it will affect you. It is either you are near someone who sneezes out or who coughs out, or what he coughs lands on a surface where the virus can stay alive for three hours, and when you touch there and touch your soft parts, that is when it can affect you.
WHAT CABINET RESOLVED
Museveni said: The cabinet under my chairmanship on Monday day March 16th 2020 sat and decided as follows; Although the key ration of the virus is not very high compared to for instance Ebola, this is only if the victims are in perfect health. The virus would kill only 3% of those infected if the 100% are in perfect health. Only 3% will die.
With health, young people for instance, some information says that an infected person may not even know he or she is infected. Coronavirus can go through him or her without any one knowing that was attacked.
The real danger in our society however, is for the old people, 70 years and above, and people with other diseases that they have been surviving with. Such as TB, HIV, Diabetes, Hypertension and Cancer. It is these that you will be very sick or even die.
Since we have a very large number of people living with HIV (1.4M), having Diabetes (800,000),Hypertension (4.8M), TB (100,000 per a year), I didn’t get cancer figures.
CLOSING SCHOOLS
The Head of State said: The National resistance movement has promoted education. As a consequence today, there are 10.7M children in the primary schools, 2M children in the pre-primary schools, 2M students in the secondary schools, 314000 students in the universities and Tertiary institutions. This is a total of almost 15M young ugandans distributed in 36000 both private and public primary schools, 7000 private and public pre primary schools, 5500 secondary schools government and private, 49 universities and 1543 Tertiary institutions, technical schools, teachers training colleges, vocation schools, etc.
This is a total of 5688 points with concentrations of 1000 or more persons each.
So these 15M Ugandans are gathered in 51000 points in the former ofor schools, colleges and so on.
When I visited Masaka SS in Masaka town, it had 4000 students without counting other unknown pupils staying in that compound. It is therefore wise that we temporarily remove these concentration points by closing all the primary and secondary schools, President primary as well as all the universities and Tertiary institutions for one Month starting with Friday March 20th 2020 at mid day.
All these institutions without exception should close so that we deny this virus those concentrations.
The 42M Ugandans are divided into about 8M homesteads. Once the education population goes home, they will disperse into these homesteads that have much less concentrations.
If the 15M where to disperse equally into the 8M homesteads, each homestead will take two students.
So these concentration groups, you go home and the concentration disappears. And if all the homesteads are to receive equal numbers, each one will get two additional people. It is a smart way of avoiding this concentration in the face of this danger.
I have decided to close the educational institutions even before the occurance of a single Coronavirus incident because I have observed the situations in other countries. Once the epidemic breaks up, there is so much stamped and the first aspect to be affected is the transport.
You have seen how airports were crowded with people. That crowding is a perfect ground for new infections. In trying to run away, I think people will get more infections thanot when people were still in one place. Let us move early to avoid the stamped.
CHURCHES, MOSQUES SHUTDOWN
“Once we deal with the concentrations in Education institutions,” Said Museveni, “The next concentration we must deal with are the religious gatherings. Prayers in Churches, in Mosques, open air prayers, services on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.”
He told the Nation: In the interest of our Peoples health, this should be suspended for a period of one month with immediate effect.
Prayers will continue but in homes. When I was reading the Catechism at Kyamate in 1957, one of the things I learnt, God is Omnipresent, Omnipotent. Since God is everywhere, let’s pray from our homes. Yes we have been praying togather it has got its advantages, but if it has got a danger, then surely logically we can not insist.
The religious leaders can use the radio and television stations to continue preaching. It’s only Pope Francis as usual set a good example of enlightenment on this very matter by abandoning his customary preaching in St. Peters Square and instead using the television. I saw the Pope. He is the one who took the initiative that ‘Please don’t come i dont want any one to be sick and say I am the one who called you..’ They Pope is honest and courageous. I think he is preparing his way to heaven.
PUBLIC & CULTURAL GATHERINGS
The next category of mass meetings are the political or cultural public meetings. Public rallies, conferences, elections, etc. All these are hereby forbidden for 32 days with immediate effect.
OUTBOUND MOVEMENT
On this Museveni said: Up to today, March 18th 2020, Uganda by the mercy of God has been spared by not having even 1 case confirmed of the coronavirus. There have been false alarms. However, there are countries in the world that have had many cases. Countries like Italy, France, South Korea, China, USA, UK, Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Norway, Austria, Malaysia, Pakistan and Sunmorino.
With immediate effect, we ban all outbound movement by Ugandans to or through these countries again for 32 days.
Foreigners going to those countries are free to do so provided they don’t intend to come back within the prohibited time. We extend our sympathies to those countries and commend them for fighting on behalf of the human race.
UGANDANS COMING HOME FROM THE DIASPORA
Museveni said: We can not stop Ugandans comming back from abroad even if in one of the category one countries mentioned above. However, such Ugandans will be put in a mandatory quarantine in a designated place but they will pay the cost for food and other services. If they want to avoid inconvenience or cost, let them remain in the country of their temporary aboard and stay there until the problem is over. Actually we have told our students abroad to stay there.
NON AGRICULTURAL WORK PLACES
Such as factories, Hotels, large plantations, markets, taxi parks, etc. These should continue functioning but with standard operating procedures put out by the ministry of health. These can continue operating but with guidelines. With the dos and the don’ts put up by the ministry of health. These will include compulsory handwashing by persons who enters or exit those work places, any body with symptoms of sickness shouldn’t be allowed to access that work place for any reason, the employers should install temperature monitors, etc..The ministry will publish the details.
WEDDINGS BANNED
Museveni said: The issue of Uganda stylish weedings that brings togather a pentagon of groups. These include the clan members of the bride groom, the clan members of the bride, the maternal clans of the two sides, the school alumni, neighbours and friends.
Big gatherings of people comming for wedding can be a source of great danger. We have therefore decided that weddings of this type should suspended. If couples are in hurry, they should go for a purely scientific weddings. Only involving the core stakeholders who are the bridegroom, the bride, the best man, the matron and the priest or CAO as long as the number is less than 10 people. Later at an appropriate time, it can be followed by a Ugandan stylish marriage.
FUNERALS
A funeral gathers relatives, friends, associates, neighbours etc, turn up in big numbers. Again with this virus, it is a danger point. Many people can be infected from there. Giving directives on this Museveni stated that: We can not ban or postpon burials for 32 days. It can not be rational. Therefore we recommend, the burial is done by the relatives who are near by. They should be the ones to burry. Then the mourning could be later when the rituals could be done. This may combine both science and culture. Most importantly, will be safe for the participants. If the person has died ofrom Coronavirus, the state will take over without involving the family as we did for the Ebola victims. We should not replicate the lack of enlightenment that was exhibited in West Africa where the rituals of washing the dead bodies was maintained even when people were dying from Ebola. Both the bathers of the dead bodies also ended up dying themselves in service of a non scientific cultural practice. By confronting this disease with enlightened scientific based actions, we shall defeat it as we did with Ebola and Aids.
FARMERS
Crop, cattle, and fishermen, these should follow hygiene practices especially the fishermen. Monthly markets will however be suspended for 32 days. Effective immediately.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Boda bodas, Mini buses, buses, taxis. The advice is not to travel unless if necessary (if using public means). If you do not have your private car stay home if travel is not essential. Companies that operate these means should follow SOPs (precautions) by MoH. However in the event of an outbreak, public transport will be forbidden and area will be isolated. Effective immediately.
TEMPORARILY STOPPED MERRY MAKING, DISCOS, SPORTS, MUSIC SHOWS, BARS, CINEMAS, CONCERTS. Suspended for 32 days. Effective immediately.
HYGIENE must be maintained. Reference to Ministry of Health recommendations.
PROPER NUTRITION
Government has urged Ugandans to feed well, eat greens and fruits to boost their immune system
FORMER Security minister and Intelligence boss Gen. Hrnry Tumukunde who recently declared his intentions to contest for President in 2021 General elections has been remanded to Luzira Maximum prison by City Hall Court until March 30th 2020.
Tumukunde has been charged with Treason and unlawful possession of firearms.
To court, Tumukunde who has medical problems was helped by his lawyer however inside court, he was able to talk and put on a smile.
Gen. Tumukunde in a van to Luzira
He follows another presidential aspirant Mutaasa Kafeero, one of the two youths who dived in Parliament.
Mutaasa and Tumukunde were cleared by Electoral commission to have consultations.
TODAY evenning, The Head of State President Museveni is expected to address the Nation amidst Coronavirus Pandemic that is spreading like bush fire in different countries.
Mr. Museveni in his address, he is set to pass a presidential directive shutting down all Universities, Colleges and other learning institutions until further notice.
The president will also order no further political gatherings, markets are likely to be closed, no more Church and mosque congregations, and all this will be done to allow government monitor the spread of Coronavirus which is already eating up our neighbours in Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania and South Sudan.
During a crisis meeting held at State House Entebbe yesterday, it was agreed between the Health ministry, inter-religious council and medical experts to shutown all places of public gatherings.
“I am going to direct all schools and churches closed as out teams study the situation.” Said the president whose pronouncement is expected today evenning.
WEST ANKOLE BISHOP SUSPENDS CHURCH SERVICE
In a communication signed by Rev. Didas Natweta, Diocesan Secretary West Ankole Diocese, the office of the Bishop of West Ankole Diocese informs the general public that pastoral visits and confirmation services have been suspended in efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 disease.
“The suspension is in accordance with the Ministry of Health and Church of Uganda guidelines. Archdeacons, vicars, curates, lay leaders and the entire tire Laity are here by informed that the suspension starts with immediate effect and they should enforce this measure.” Reads the letter dated March 16th 2020.
Letter says, “We are praying that our Country, Uganda be spared from this Pandemic as we also continue to intercede for our suffering sister countries. The suspension will be lifted when the environment is safe for us to continue doing God’s work.”
HIS EMINENCE Emanuel Cardinal Wamala has spoken boldly against the corrupt and incompetent legislators whom he says have failed to give accountability to voters on how they are fighting corruption by enacting tough laws.
He wants them voted out in 2021 General election saying this is the only way Ugandans can punish these Mps.
Speaking to a team of people led by Lubaga South People Power cordinator Aloysius Mukasa who we are reliably informed was delivering a very confidential message from Hon. Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi, Cardinal Wamala urged Ugandans to deal with incompetent members of Parliament who have failed to deliver.
MY LORD THE CARDINAL: Mukasa with His Eminence Wamala
“Members of Parliament should give accountability to the electorates on tough measures put to fight corruption. If they can’t, then voters should throw them out in 2021. This campaign of replacing incompetent MPs with those who are tested, must be supported by every one.” Said Cardinal Wamala who prayed and blessed Aloysius Mukasa, People Power aspiring candidate for Lubaga South constituency in 2021 to win.
The cardinal who had no minced words on corruption said this vice can easily be fought if members of Parliament genuinely have a zeal to end it and enact tough laws against the corrupt.
“Voters, ask your MPs when they return for votes in 2021, how have they fought corruption. If their response is zigzag, throw them out. We need leaders who are transparent and with very clean hands.” Said Cardinal Wamala at his Nsambya residence on Friday morning.
In his response, Aloysius Mukasa assured the cardinal that as leaders, they are moving around different parts of the country sensitizing electorates on the power of their ballots and a need to check out leaders who have not delivered, come 2021.
“My Lord your eminence Cardinal Wamala, we thank you for the words of wisdom. We in fact started on that campaign senstizing our people on dangers of sending to Parliament people who can’t lobby for their constituencies, who can’t speak out on behalf of their voters, MPs who can’t speak out against corruption, poverty, crime and dictatorship. And I can assure you my lord, this time around voters will indeed shun them.” Said Aloysius Mukasa who first has an enclosed door meeting with the cardinal for some good minutes.
Our sources at Nsambya are not informed about what really the meeting was about but linked it on a message, Mukasa was delivering from People Power supreme leader, Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine.
Before going to Nsambya to meet Cardinal Wamala, the same Mukasa was seen in a meeting with eminent persons like former Buganda Premier Dan Muliika, then with former DP President General Dr. Paulo Kawanga Ssemogerere and also, Prof. Wasswa Lule former Lubaga North MP.
Insiders say, Kyagulanyi is targeting eminent persons for political endorsement as he heads for 2021 presidential contest.
He uses Aloysius Mukasa, his blue eyed boy, to deliver the message.
On learning that Mukasa is going to contest for Lubaga South MP seat, Cardinal Wamala asked him, “Who is the area MP?” to which Mukasa replied, “My Lord, he is Hon. Kato Lubwama”.
Cardinal said, “But we don’t see him talking in Parliament. Or you sent him somewhere else not in Parliament? What is he doing? Such leaders should be rejected.
“Wamala asked Mukasa which other work he does outside politics to which he replied, “I am a businessman and own schools.”He later knelt down for cardinal blessings saying, “My son, go in peace, we wish you success but if you also betray our people, we will ask voters to vote you out.”
Both laughed and Mukasa along side his team left, after handing over gifts to Cardinal Wamala and wished him good health.
OPPOSITION Democratic Party President General Hon. Norbert Mao has vowed to lead all party members country wide to fight and defeat a clique of politicians hiding in fighting for Buganda but with an intention of killing this National political party.
“That bunch is sectarian minded, they are tribalists who don’t care about taking over power in Uganda but instead go for self praising in Buganda.” Mao struck saying, “As a result, they have become a spoiler for Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi because now I hear on radios, people say, ‘When we go for those meetings, they are only in Luganda.’ Now since they have started the tribalism talk, let’s talk about it, me am not afraid.”
Hon. Mao addressing journalists on Tuesday
Speaking at a DP weekly press conference yesterday, a tough and determined speaking Mao said, “This is my manifesto and Testament. If I were to die today, these are the words you must remember.”
“Uganda needs to renegotiate it’s constitution. And as DP, we have got to dedicate ourselves to building a party which is National in character. Those who bent on dividing the party along lines of their personal interests, will be decisively confronted and defeated.” Stated Mao, adding, “In the same way that DP leadership confronted and unmasked Kabaka Yekka (KY) in the 1960s. Our generation will fearlessly face and confront descendants of Kabaka Yekka, the likes of Hon. Sseggona, Hon. Nambooze, Hon. Muwanga Kivumbi and all those who gathered last Friday in Lubaga for a circus meeting.”
“Like wools in sheep skin, these retrogressive elements come in various guises but they will never deceive us. The descendants and fascists minded operatives will be fought and defeated.” Furious Mao said vowing, “The banner of truth and justice will never be surrendered into the hands of reactionary forces that seek to subvert the party and to reduce it to a small minded outfit serving narrow interests as opposed to the founding vision of the party. That is my last will and testament if die today.”
Chairman Mao was reacting to a meeting that sat on Friday and filled NEC positions which he reffered to as rubbish.
In that meeting, the following were elected: Hon. Medard Lubega Sseggona (Secretary General) replacing late Matia Birekerawo Nsubuga, Matia Lwanga Bwanika (National Chairman) replacing Ambassador Kezaala Beswale, Hon. Mary Babirye Kabanda (National treasurer) replacing late Issa Kikungwe, Patrick Katuramu (deputy treasurer), Alex Kiwanuka representing Busoga region and Racheal Kagoya (deputy women leader) replacing late Hon. Susan Namaganda.
“These people are like cockroaches, they thrive in the darkness. The only way to find cockroaches is to bring light to them. So we are bringing light to them. Some of them are crooks, some have a lot of problems, we are now going to bring their issues. All their dirty linean we are going to hang them on very high wires because that is what they want.” Tough Mao said.
He told media that, “They have called me corrupt, as if I am the final signatory of the party. I am not. The treasurer is the accounting officer and she is their fellow MP. We have never received a letter asking for accountability.”
“They talk about transparency, was their meeting transparent? How do you get a court order, and instead of serving the Party, you take it to political masqueraders like Lukwago and Sseggona?” Asked Mao.
He has dustbined the Friday meeting abd said, “We have written to Electoral Commission distancing ourself, as DP from Friday meeting and everything that transpired. DP National Council has never convened, what you saw on Friday was just a meeting of political masqueraders who have on many attempts tried to disorganise DP but we have kept on confronting and defeating them.”
“The leaders of that group which gathered in Lubaga on Friday are masqueraders who only want to use DP, serve a narrow vision. The same way that Abu Mayanja used DP to serve his narrow vision in 1960s. So today I have started the most difficult conversation that Uganda needs and I am not going to stop. Am even taking it outside this room to the rest of the country” Vowed Hon. Mao.
He noted that unfortunately, “They are now dragging a very young promising leader in the name of Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi into their Provincial politics, reducing him from a National leader to a Provincial leader. That will be tragic!”
“I hear them every time they are addressing a press conference, they say, ‘We are fighting Mao because he doesn’t support Hon. Kyagulanyi.’ But Hon. Kyagulanyi is not a DP member as you know. Our talks with him, are bilateral between DP as an organisation and him as an independent candidate.” He said, adding, “But they are dragging him in and in the process, they are making the rest of Uganda to start wondering whether Kyagulanyi is the candidate for the whole of Buganda or a candidate for the region.”
“They have managed to confuse everybody else. Now they have captured the CBS radio station. I have been not invited also to plead my case. But am being convicted every Saturday without a fair hearing on CBS, Kabaka’s radio. Am being hanged.” Said Mao, asking, “Do these people have ambitions to see DP in power? Obviously not! They only want to be re elected to Parliament.” He said.
Mao says, the likes of Nambooze, Mpuuga and Sseggona are only contented to win elective positions in Buganda but not targeting Uganda.
“Some of them they have started building big apartments they don’t have money to finish, started building big hotels and they don’t have money to finish them. They must go back to Parliament to continue earning 35M a month in order to finish their hotels.” He stated.
MAO’S STATEMENT ON PROVINCIAL VS NATIONAL POLITICS
DP was formed to fight injustice. I know many young people are no longer interested in history.
But before 1962 Independence, DP was already in the struggles for power in Uganda. And there were always two forces, the National forces that wanted to build a National party and the Provincial forces.
At that time, there was a Katikkiro called Kintu a very polarising figure. When DP was founded, many people perceived it as a party that was largely to seek redress for the grievances of the Catholics.
Now at this table where we are seated, I am the only Catholic actually. Imam Makumbi is a Moslem, Mwesigwa is a protestant, Dr. Mayambala is a protestant. We even have Seventh day adventists and others.
That means, DP has outgrown it’s cradle. Just like Islam started in Middle East, but now there are more Muslims outside Saudi Arabia and elsewhere.
At that time there was a young man called Abu Kakyama Mayanja (late). He was expelled from Makerere and went to study in Cambridge University. He was received with a lot of pomp and celemony as a promising National leader for Uganda from Buganda. But later, he lost opportunity because he reduced his vision when in alliance with Dr. Apollo Milton Obote, he became a key mouth-piece of Kabaka Yekka (KY).
So, Abu Mayanja lost his chance to be President of Uganda simply because he reduced his vision to a region.
PROVINCIAL POLITICIAN ABU MAYANJA DEAL WITH OBOTE TO FIGHT DP
Mao said: Abu Kakyama Mayanja is the one as you know, who took Milton Obote to meet the Kabaka. This is when Milton Obote made all the empty promises that people always make, just like President Museveni has been always making to Buganda.
Indeed, Kabaka Yekka was a reaction to Bendictor Kiwanuka’s victory in Buganda. That election was boycotted. People went to Parliament with 30 votes, 45 votes, because there was an order from the Kingdom that there should be no body participating in that election organised by the British to prepare Uganda for Independence.
Was that love for DP? Because of blackmail, people forced a false choice, that do we choose the Kabaka or DP? But you can’t put such a choice to any right thinking Muganda. How can you for instance say, that is the choice which led to Namugongo? That should you choose between the Kabaka or your religious belief? That is the choice which should never be imposed on the people here.
I also have my traditional leader but I will never be forced by any body to choose between my traditional leader and my party.
My traditional leader must be a traditional leader for every body. FDC, DP, NRM, Independents, that is what makes somebody to be above politics.
Ben Kiwanuka when he returned from his studies and from fighting in the 2nd World War, he sent a clear message and said, “Leave our King out of your politics. Don’t use our King in your politics”.
That is what led to the 1966 Buganda Crisis. In 1961 when Ben Kiwanuka was elected, he was definately seen as one elected by the minority in Buganda but technically, he had the MPs to form a government. UPC was no. 2 and now decided to work with Abu Mayanja and Kabaka Yekka and they formed an alliance. They demanded that there should be a second election in Uganda. This is the injustice done to DP. In Kenya and Tanzania there were only one election. Jomo Kenyatta won in Kenya and was handed over the instruments of independence.
The same applies to Julius Nyerere in Tanzania. That is why we have Madaraka day in Kenya, the day when internal self government was declared. While here, we had two elections. Ofcourse the story of Kabaka Yekka and UPC is now well known. I don’t need to go into that.
MASQUERADERS POLITICALLY KILLING HON. KYAGULANYI
Chairman Mao said: In 1980, the same masqueraders again erupted and claimed to be DP and again Abu Mayanja was there.
This time he came after the fall of Idi Amin as a DP. Alongside him, there were people who actually did not believe in DP but they had their grievances with Obote. They didn’t believe in the ideology and values of DP. They included Kisamba Mugerwa, who even after Dr. Ssemogerere left, for him he remained with Museveni.
Lukwago (left) and Nambooze when they led Dr. Besigye to Hon. Kyagulanyi’s Magere residence
Because for him he told Dr. Ssemogerere, ‘Our problem was Obote, now that he has gone, I don’t have to come back to DP.’ They were using DP as a placenta. You know a placenta has only one job, to deliver a baby. And after the baby is born the placenta is thrown into the incinerator. The same Abu Mayanja was there.
There were people like Kitaka Gaweera, ofcourse we can count Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, the late Kafumbe Mukasa, Edward Ssekandi and many others.These are the people who only claim to be DP, for a season. I call them masqueraders because they don’t believe in DP.Now we see people who are like them again.
MASQUERADERS DECEIVING BUGANDA ON FEDERO
Hitting more this Buganda clique, Mao noted that: They are deceiving the rest of the people here that they are fighting for Buganda issues (Ensonga za Buganda omuli Federo).
Go and open the Hansard, how many times have they talked about the five Buganda major issues (Ensonga ssemasonga)?
Mao calls DP rebels, political masqueraders
Has any one of them ever even moved any motion? They haven’t. They are a bunch of masqueraders who are lying. And some of them, to be honest, they may not even be Baganda in the real sense of the word. They may be in Buganda like me, but am not a Muganda.
Just like in Germany, the non Germany were the one who were the most radical in supporting Adolf Hitler. Even here, some of them if you research on them, ethnically they don’t belong to Buganda. They are just like me.
They are from Buganda but not Baganda. Just like you can be from Acholi, but not an Acholi.
Unfortunately, what is happening in DP is a contradiction of the Party’s National vision.
In Mbale, we vowed to restore the, DP of Ben Kiwanuka, from Kisoro to Kabong, from Kapchorwa to Kasese, that is the DP were want to build.
But now you hear people say, ‘I can’t be led by an Acholi’. Have they read the DP constitution? Their DP is not the one am leading. The DP am leading has a Constitution, and it has a stated goal you build for Uganda a government with a foundation of truth and justice. Do they just want to dominate politics in Buganda or one day they want to lead Ugandan?
Because I am beginning to get very mixed signals. I think, their main goal is to use DP to dominate the political arena, in Buganda but not to win power, in Uganda.
Because to win power in Buganda, you must go everywhere within the boarders of Uganda snd you must go with a message which resonates with the other Ugandans.
MESSAGE TO KYAGULANYI ON POLITICAL CREEPING PLANTS (EBIBOWABOWA)
Refering to a clique of secretarian and tribalists politicians in Buganda as Ebibowabowa, Hon. Mao said, “Am very sorry for my young brother Robert Kyagulanyi, that he has now found creeping plants on him, the one that are called ‘Ebibowabowa’ in Luganda.”
Medard Sseggona who whose election as DP SG has been annulled by the party
Mao said: Ebibowabowa don’t have the spine to stand on their own and sunlight. They must creep on a big tree in order to attract some rays of the sun.
That is why am saying, am very sorry for my young brother. And Ebibowabowas are everywhere not only in Buganda. Hon. Tinkasiimire is one one Ebibowabowa, sijui Hon. Mbwatekamwa, all those.
If you are a true leader, you must not encourage Bibowabowas. Let’s look at the key actors among the Ebibowabowas!
These are the people who were UYD. Medard Sseggona, Mathias Mpuuga, ofcourse Betty Nambooze was not in UYD she joined DP after we rescued her from a prison sentence for corruption. Muwanga Kivumbi, Moses Kasibante, Matia Lwanga Bwanika, Kato Lubwama and FDC’s Hon. Ssemujju Nganda.
MISUSING NKOBAZAMBOGO
Mao said: Now these are people, after UYD, they became very key actors in Nkobazambogo which I promoted as then Makerere University Guild president. Nkobazambogo started from MULUSA (Makerere University Luweero Students Association).
And I was the one who launched MULUSA. Out of that, grew Nkobazambogo whose main role was to entrench the culture among the young generation which was a good thing. I remember they used to bring trainers from the Kingdom to talk to young people.
I attended one session and I almost died of laughters because they were trying to explain names that should be used for His Majesty the King of Buganda. Ofcourse they were saying Musota, Ccuucu, Magulunnyondo, etc and the general principle is to describe His Majesty, you must use things that are fierce and feared by everybody.
I remember one young man put up his hand, because those were the days Aids was feared so much as he said, “Can we refer to him as Siliimu?”, and thee trainer said, no no.
Many of them were appointed to the Kingdom government, with that aura of being Bakungu, abebitiibwa and with a lot of airtime on radio, they now came into the political arena and dupe the public that they are the people who are finally going to sort out the issues of Buganda in the political arena.
‘WHY EBIBOWABOWA SUPPORT BESIGYE WHO HATES KINGDOMS’
DP president General Mao who had no kind words said: Indeed one of the reasons why these bibowabowa supported Rtd. Col. Kizza Besigye was they believed that he is the one who can work for Buganda. I remember asking them in a radio talkshow, ‘That man you are supporting doesn’t believe in the Kings and traditional leaders. He doesn’t have one in Kigezi. Have you ever heard a King in Kigezi? If that is your argument, then you rather support me because me i have a King in Acholi.”
So when I come here and I say, Ssaabasajja awangaale, it means I also fight for my own.” I know the one here is very strong, so if we protect him, mine will also be safe. That is my logic.
But Besigye, according to the Army Council reports we have, he even opposed the return of the Buganda Kingdom.
So I asked them, ‘Don’t you have another reason why you don’t support me?’ Because that is the reason which sounds good, but it is not the real reason.
SECTARIANISM DRIVING PROVINCIAL POLITICS – MAO
He said: I want to state here that the issues of Buganda are important to Uganda because Buganda is part of Uganda. Just like the issues of any other part of Uganda, should be taken seriously because, we are what constitutes Uganda.
So we now have in Uganda, a push and pull. Do we have enough reasons to stay in Uganda or we have reasons to pull away from Uganda? The dividing line in DP is between two visions.
There is the National vision which I lead and the Provincial vision which is led by the other group. And DP can not continue with those two contradictory visions.
One of them must be dominant. So either DP will become completely a Provincial party or DP must become a National party the way it has always been intended to be. And that is why me am not fighting individuals, am fighting for an idea. Do we have a National or a Provincial party?
And DP can not exist partly Provincial and partly National. Our leaders from Buganda are being castigated daily, why are you standing with Mao. They are standing with DP. I tell you, one day, the National Treasurer was supervising some worker at the new party offices on Balintuma road and she posted a photo of Facebook. One distinguished member of Parliament Hon. Betty Nambooze Bakireke in boxed Owek. Babirye Kabanda and said, “Owek. Kabanda, you are now an enemy of Buganda. Why do you do things which make Mao good and successful?”
Ladies and gentlemen, these are the battles we are fighting in DP. So if someone from Buganda wants to lead Uganda, is that how you should approach politics?
For me i need votes from every one, even from NRM. Because that is how I can lead Uganda. But you hear their rhetoric on Facebook, “Sijui Banyarwanda.”
We know the Banyarwanda who are called Musoke, Kizito, Lubega, Nsubuga, Mukasa. These are our relatives, these are our wives. So are we going to take that line of politics?
We must talk about these issues because it used to be, ‘Acholi killed people, now we are being told actually that it is Museveni who killed people.
So, why were the Acholi being blamed innocently? This difficult conversation even applies to Bunyoro. It applies to the Yira Republic (Kasese).
Robert Rukumbuka (who attended yesterday presser) spent 20 months in prison arrested by the army being accused of leading a rebellion on Congo. Can you imagine!
Now he can not go outside Kampala and Wakiso and his king the Mumbere. So am very pleased with what is happening in DP because it is finally happening to a vital part of the body called Uganda. Let’s assume DP is an organ of the body Uganda, and it has a problem. Isn’t that Uganda problem? So, Ugandans are now debating DP because they have realized, it isn’t all about the presidency of DP, it is bigger and we must take it to its logical conclusion.
So, if Ugandans are not feeling comfortable in Uganda, We need a national reflection on ways to bind the Nation’s many open wounds. Every part of Uganda here has suffered. In Luweero triangle, Kitgum, Kasese there are hundreds of bodies of people massacred, we have Muslims murdered in Mbarara. Every part of Uganda has suffered and we must have a National conversation.
We have Mukula, where people were simply cooked in a train wagons and elections will not solve these problems. We need truth and reconciliation as a basis for justice.
WHY I COMMAND MASSIVE DP SUPPORT IN BUGANDA – MAO
He declared that: I have the support of the majority of DP members including in Buganda. If we are to hold a DP delegates conference for Buganda, I would win it, hands down against any body. Because the majority of people here are simply silent. They have been suppressed. The way Kabaka Yekka suppressed every body, people’s banana plantations were beaten down, Dr. Ssemogerere once told me he car was ambushed he had to flee on foot. And more importantly in 1996 when Dr. Ssemogerere stood up to challenge Museveni, he never got votes here. It is people who could not understand his mother tongue, who voted him. He got 98% in Acholi and Westnile and 80% in Teso. So there is something which is being pursued using DP which we don’t understand. Those who support me all over Uganda, believe in my vision to reconcile the party and we have tried.
We opened up the gates of DP, but instead those who we invited to come and reconcile, I didn’t know they were fighting for small positions, positions of Acting Chairman, of Acting secretary General…I thought we were in a revolution to remove Museveni.
When we formed a DP BLOC, I thought we were getting stronger to kick out Museveni. I didn’t know I was the one in power they worked to kick out.
The supporters of the party and its members, believe in us and the team I lead, because they want us to rebuild the party grassroots structures and rebrand it so that it can compete effectively for national leasership. DP can not form a government by supporting another candicate who is not a DP member. These are temporary measures that we do in a coalition.
A coalition government will not be a DP government but it has got to be negotiated.
I have made it clear, what is at stake. The stake is a soul of DP. Will DP be a Provincial or a national party? So this struggle in DP is not about Nobert Mao. Actually am already safe because every body knows what I have been fighting for. Even if I lose, it’s better people know what I have been fighting for. Am fighting for DP to be a National party capable of winning power in Uganda. Not a party which is provincial to be used by a bunch of subcontractors.
But more importantly, we are fighting for the future of Uganda.
WHOSE PARTY IS IT ANYWAY?
Mao said: I wrote a document in 2005 titled, ‘Whose party is it anyway’.
All Ugandans have spilled blood for DP. When you go to the west, you find the Banyimas, Enganzi Ankole the late Kabeiheho, Buyindo who was murdered in cold blood, come here, Ben Kiwanuka, Andrew Kayiira, thousands murdered in Luweero, West Nile there’s Martin Okello and Oda. Move to the East you find Alex who was left alone when everybody had crossed to UPC in the 1960s. He was then leader of opposition and murdered in 1979.
They were being echoed by Kabaka Yekka, echoed by UPC, the way right now we are being echoed by their descendants. NRM has also joined the fight. The other day we were attacked at the office, the police was there doing nothing, simply ushering in the hooligans. So now, we are in a very comfortable position. Because when you are surrounded, you can fire in any direction, you will kill and enemy. There is no better position in a way than to be surrounded. You don’t have to aim. So right now, we don’t have to aim. We just have to fire in any direction.
WE’LL SORT OUT OURSELVES WITH COURT
DP President said: After Mbale delegates conference, we got about 40 cases. Those who took us to court failed to prove that our team was un constitutionally elected. These are the people who started the same fight against Ssebaana Kizito.
The said court order which wasn’t served to DP
Actually, one of them should have been president of DP between Lulume Bayiga, Nambooze and Lordmayor Lukwago. One of the three should have been the party president but as usual when you trade your short term interests for long term interests, that is what happens. It is called the Essau syndrome. In the Bible, Essau was supposed to inherite as a heir to his father but one day he felt so hungry and asked his brother for soup in exchange of his inheritance. This message doesn’t only go to Lukwago but even to all those other masqueraders, to achieve long term interests, you must sacrifice.
I became DP President because I sacrificed by short term interests for long term interests. Just like now, those who are eating pork and beer, will continue being tenants while those saving, can easily become landlords.
These masqueraders are eating their eggs instead of letting them hatch and get soup.
Bwanika said, ‘sikulemberwa mucoori.’ That he can’t be led by an Acholi. As heavy weight, I don’t fight feather weight. They are sectarian. They formed team Mulamwa, TJ, Ssuubi etc. They were defeated.
Mao quoted Abed Bwanika having said during a Friday meeting that, “We the Baganda have a package and inside that package there is someone called Robert Kyagulanyi and we are aggrieved because of all the parties in IPOD NRM is led by M7 a Munyankore, FDC is led by Amuriat from Teso, Asuman Basalirwa from Busoga leeds JEEMA, Jimmy Akena of UPC from Lango, DP is led by Norbert Mao from Acholi.”
Do you need any further evidence what those people are driving? Is it about fairness in Uganda? Is it about equal opportunities in the economics? So there are those who blindly think DP is a party for one region. I like people who are honest like Dr. Abed Bwanika. He said it. Others just clapped in support.
When we receive the alleged court order, we shall know what to do with it. We haven’t received the court order. When we get proper documents from court, we will know what to do. He bashed Counsel Sam Muyizzi, the DP legal advisor for instructing himself as the Party Advocate saying he is in a wrong office.
“As DP, we have never instructed you to be our lawyers. On February I ordered our Secretary General Dr. Siranda to inform court that as DP, we instructed counsel Ssemuyaba tuguwadde counsel Justice Ssemuyaba to be our Advocate and he has been our Advocate since 2009. A party legal advisor can only be a party advocate on getting instructions.
National legal advisor we will face the National Council and answer why he chose to serve two parties, DP and those accusing us because we see him as having conflict of interest.
DEMOCRATIC Party leadership has distanced itself from a meeting held on Friday by Party rebels to fill National Council positions which have been vacant now for years.
In a document released by opposition DP top hierarchy, the Hon. Medard Sseggona’s meeting, “Had no proper convenor, Chair and was not called under the guidence of the party constitution.”
In a meeting held on Friday in Lubaga the following were elected: Hon. Medard Lubega Sseggona (Secretary General) replacing late Matia Birekerawo Nsubuga, Matia Lwanga Bwanika (National Chairman) replacing Ambassador Kezaala Beswale, Hon. Mary Babirye Kabanda (National treasurer) replacing late Issa Kikungwe, Patrick Katuramu (deputy treasurer), Alex Kiwanuka representing Busoga region and Racheal Kagoya (deputy women leader) replacing late Hon. Susan Namaganda.Additionally, this meeting resolved that; 1.The National Delegates Conference will be held in Kampala/Wakiso on 1st May 2020 not Gulu.
2. Sulaiman Kidandala was restored as the National Organizing Secretary. The justification was that the fired Kidandala was not accorded a fair hearing since his accusers were the prosecutors and judges at the same time
3.They also resolved to struck Hon. Mao’s decree off the DP record.
TOTAL RUBBISH – DP LEADERSHIP
In a statement released by DP leadership after the Friday meeting, it said it was total rubbish and party members should ignore it.
“Liars say, that was a National Council Meeting. National Council is called by the Secretary General, Chaired by the National Chairman and its business is referred to it by the National Executive Committee.” Reads the statement.”
This is the true process of our Law that has to be followed in calling all organ meetings.
Let those who attended the said National council meeting tell you, you called it? Was it Dr. Siranda our Acting SG? Who chaired it, was it Mr. Mayambala our Acting Chairman and with NEC gave them business? If they don’t give you proof on these, then ignore their Propaganda. Dr. Siranda didn’t call this meeting and Mr. Mayambala didnt chair it.” Statement from DP reads.
It goes ahead and say, “The alleged court order that they say was served directing National council to fill the vacant positions, can only be served to the party. Failure to follow court order results in ‘Contempt of court’ proceedings but not convening such a meeting by any Tom Dick and Harry.”
“Their meeting only had “Propaganda value” and of no legal consequence.” Reads the Statement.
DP has cautioned rebel members to stop confusing the party or else, they will be dealt with.
EALA Commissioner who doubles as DP National Vice President Hon. Fred Mukasa Mbidde’s road to the 11th Parliament is now cleared after opposition Democratic Party Masaka district delegates unanimously renewed his contract as Chairman, also electing counsel Jane Musoke, Buganda Premier Charles Peter Mayiga’s sister to serve in the Party legal department.
Counsel Jane Musoke, Katikkiro Mayiga’s sister during Masaka DP Delegates conference
All indicators clearly shows, Mbidde will find no roadblock on his way to win the party ticket for MP Masaka Municipality after the incumbent Hon. Mathias Mpuuga Nsamba boycotted Sunday conference where delegates elected new district party leadership.
In the hot elections held at Tropic Inn Hotel in Masaka, Hon. Mbidde, counsel Jude Mbabaali who is the district local government boss and Dennis Lukanga Majwala (chairman Katwe Butego) sailed through unopposed while others, had to first tusstle it out to win the new executive committee, women and youth committee positions.
Elections were presided over by DP acting National Chairman Dr. Kiwanuka Mayambala Ssempala and the National Organizing Secretary Shafik Ddamba alongside other NEC officials empowered by the party constitution to organise such elections.
“The turn up was massive, transparency exhibited, it was a free and fair process, democracy in the party was demonstrated. Thanks to the Organizing committee, we didn’t have cases of rigging in this elections. Masaka DP members elected their district leadership without being influenced by any one. Other districts must copy.” Said DP official Francis Mawanda aka Mzee Petero.
According to Maurice Matovu commonly known as Statesman who was elected secretary Youth leasership, nine out of the eighteen positions had a very tight interesting competition.
“The election was by a secret ballot where delegates took standing decisions to vote for the district leadership.” Said Matovu.
PREMIER MAYIGA’S SISTER WIN
Ms. Jane Musoke who is a Lawyer by profession, a women human rights activists and also sister to Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga the Buganda Premier, took many by surprise when she shown interests in the position of the Deputy legal advisor.
She gave a moving speech on why she has joined DP politics and how she intends to serve the party to her best.
Counsel Ntuwa who had earlier showed interest in the same opposition, stood down for Katikkkiro’s sister.
Namusoke went through unopposed deputising counsel Mathias Nyanzi.
MBIDDE WARNS SSEGGONA & TEAM
Speaking shortly after he was declared Masaka district DP Chairman for the term ending 2025, Hon. Mbidde laughed off at a clique of DP members who convened a meeting in Lubaga on Friday and awarded themselves top Party positions reminding them that DP isn’t run like a Malwa group.
Hon. Mbidde adressing Masaka DP delegates after he was elected Chairman
“DP is a registered political party run by its constitution. You don’t wake up from your bed and you declare yourself a party president.” Said Mbidde, adding, “We ask the Party NEC TO institute an investigations into their unconstitutional acts and be punished. We must protect DP and it’s constitution.” Said Mbidde.
In a meeting held on Friday in Lubaga the following were elected:
Hon. Medard Lubega Sseggona (Secretary General) replacing late Matia Birekerawo Nsubuga, Matia Lwanga Bwanika (National Chairman) replacing Ambassador Kezaala Beswale, Hon. Mary Babirye Kabanda (National treasurer) replacing late Issa Kikungwe, Patrick Katuramu (deputy treasurer), Alex Kiwanuka representing Busoga region and Racheal Kagoya (deputy women leader) replacing late Hon. Susan Namaganda.
Mbidde stated that, “When (NEC) announced that DP shall host the National Delegates Conference in Gulu, some of the members opposed the motion and i wanted to find out why they opposed this. Unfortunately, someone opened my mind when he told me that most of them will have no fuel to drive to Gulu because their facilitor was fired out of the ruling government.”
He added that Democratic party is busy seeking for funds to host the National delegates conference in Gulu but the click already solicited money from unknown parties to facilitate their fake activities.
“I therefore, ask the National Chairman to accept this motion in the NEC meeting for members to discuss what this team is doing, why are they doing it and who facilitates them because we already have history on record that this team is dealing with government to spoil Democratic party.” Mbidde stated.
Mbidde warned, “The party’s supreme Leader is the President General and whoever is fighting the party is just a rebel who doesn’t want to be governed. DP is not only based in the central region of Uganda as they think, we have exhibited enough democracy and no one shall be granted a chance to destruct the Party activities.”
As Masaka DP Chairman, Mbidde boasted of the party sweeping almost all parliamentary, Division, sub county and Village elective positions in Masaka district and pledged to work harder with his team, to psint Masaka Gren and white come 2021.
Other Masaka DP rebel MP didn’t show up fearing to be roasted live by Party members for engineering division in the party.
Bukoto East MP Namayanja was top on the list of rebel MPs who boycotted.
WHO WON WHAT IN MASAKA DISTRICT DP EXECUTIVE ELECTIONS
OF late, Rwanda has joined Kenya in East Africa to register COVID – 19 victims, so i thought as youth leaders in Buganda Kingdom and country at large, we ought to massively alert our people about the pandemic before it hits the poor nation Uganda.
Washing hands with soap helps in fighting Coronavirus. Thanks to Allan Sebunya for the lobbying in Nakaseke North
Hand hygiene and social distancing are the only effective methods of preventing transmission of Coronavirus. Our people are therefore reminded of the critical importance of frequent hand – washing and of avoiding unnecessary physical contact with others.
Ordinary soap is the most effective product for hand – washing, followed by alcohol – based sanitizer. The use of the masks is only recommended for patients and those in direct contact with patients.
Any persons with the classic symptoms of COVID – 19 (dry cough & high fever) should stay at home and consult a Community Health Worker for guidance please.
Otherwise, by carefully following these instructions, every single one of us is making an invaluable contribution to protecting for community, country and our people.
As a special program for our Nakaseke North People, we are senstizing village to village, house to house and improvising with basic needs to make sure our people remain safe.
This is the only way we can be sure of tomorrow as we work hard to in a fight against poverty and diseases.
His Majesty the Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi want all his subjects to have enough food and be healthy.
We will always be reminding you about this genuine cause.
For God And My Country.
Kkola, Ffisa, Tereka, Ssiga.
The writer: Allan Mayanja Sebunya is Speaker Buganda Youth Council (BYC). The Kingdom is identifying him for Nakaseke North constituency MP in 2021. Reach him on 0777 707 249
