HON. AMAMA MBABAZI FURTHER EXPOSED THE ROT IN NRM GOVERNMENT

While on CBS 89.2FM on the evening of 16^th February 2016, the last day on which Presidential and Parliamentary candidates had their campaigns, Right Hon. Amama Mbabazi told the listeners how the NRM Government constructs a kilometer of tarmac road at US$1,000,000 while Kenya does the same at US$300,000 and Rwanda at US$350,000.  Uganda’s cost is 3.3 times that of Kenya while it is 2.85 that of Rwanda and yet that the life of these roads is relatively short. 

It is not clear how World Bank and other donors continue to fund Uganda roads at such astronomical cost.

Given the developments in Uganda, there is need for serious prayers for a country where corruption is the norm yet where a number of people have lost hope for life worth living.

DR. BESIGYE’S TEAM (FDC) SHOULD ENDEAVOUR TO GET RESULTS FROM ALL POLLING STATIONS.

Dr. Besigye has put up a big show in competing for Presidency in Uganda given all the odds.  However, before the announcement of the ‘winner’ by the Electoral Commission, the FDC team should be able to get all the results from the Declaration Forms from the over 28,000 Polling Stations countrywide.

The purpose should be to come up with the right picture of the returns from the various polling stations countrywide, given that ticked ballots in some instances were found, may be, in some areas they may have successfully been added to what the people actually did vote rightly.

What clearly comes out of this election is the voting patterns by people who are progressive while the other category is of those who can be termed backward as well as those who directly benefit from the Museveni governance.  Many of the progressive ones voted for change - in favour of Besigye and these included a number of youth many of whom are unemployed.  Many of the people from the rural and generally those that can be categorized as from backward and remote areas of Uganda voted for Museveni according to returns from the polling so far.

Another important aspect is the role of money in driving the decisions for whom to vote.  It was anticipated that the huge amount of money used by Candidate Museveni in the Poll (direct cash payments to the likes of Commercial Motor cyclists, the giving of free T – shirts which are now clothing for a number of poor people, to mention but a few), could easily give him advantage given the poverty levels. 

If candidate Museveni is announced winner, the 5 years 2016 – 2021 will not be a bed of roses for the people of Uganda.  The projections cannot show any chance of Museveni putting up a better show with huge promises in unfulfilled pledges over the 30 years, with the huge debts the country has to shoulder, with many progressive people virtually fed up of him, with his leadership style where he dictates over the national cake and who should get what; the general situation may be better termed as an unfortunate development for the country and another lost opportunity.  The country needs a completely new approach to its problems of unemployment, uncompetitive energy generation, no viable environmental protection strategy with the country getting to desert conditions slowly but steadily as forests and swamps are abused.

If Museveni comes out successful, it will be sad, but on the part of Museveni, it will be a good development given his leadership which has left many illiterate, and many destitute given the poverty and deprivation countrywide.

I sign off saying: “Cry the beloved country Uganda.”  

  

IT IS UNFORTUNATE HOW NRM GOVERNMENT COULD PUT OFF MOBILE MONEY SERVICE WITH NO PRIOR WARNING TO USERS

It was a big shock when towards mid-night on February 17, 2016 when I tried to get money from my phone to buy airtime, and the function could not work.  Initially I thought that it was my phone that had a problem.  Early in the morning when I was already lining up to vote, I heard from CBS 88.8 FM that Government had put off the Mobile Money service, the Facebook, Whatsapp, Twitter.  I could not believe, but the truth is that where power struggle is involved, anything is possible in Uganda.

At the time of putting of the above services more so the mobile money, it is the time when many schools accept money sent by mobile money services, many people have deals which were to get cashed on 18^th from the mobile money on their phones.  It is completely unacceptable that at this age in time, a civilized government could put off such a crucial service.  One party could be looking for a solution through mobile money either to effect payment or receive or otherwise, but it is unbelievable that the NRM Government which is never ashamed of anything could put off such a service and suspend it with no clear terms as to when it will be available.  It is a big shame.  That is why we shall always remain behind.

I WAITED FOR 7 HOURS BEFORE POLLING MATERIALS WERE DELIVERED

Since 1996, I have been casting my vote in two Polling Stations within Kajjansi Trading Centre (8miles Entebbe Highway), hinterland.  In all instances at both Kajjansi Dispensary and Faith Trust Polling Stations, Polling had all the time started by 7.00am, that is 1996, 2001, 2006 and 2011.

This time round on February 18, 2016, I arrived at the station at 7.08am.  There was no sign of any organization for voting at the station.  I met voters on one line in a situation where there were supposed to be two distinct lines (A – NAJ) and (NAK – Z).

By around 8.00am, the mapping out of the areas where the polling was to be undertaken started, and what had been one line was eventually divided into two given the categorization.

It was a big wait for 7 hours before a vehicle in dangerous mechanical condition (DMC) arrived with the Polling materials.

By the time of arrival of the materials, a number of people had decided to go back home or their places of work.  However, about an hour or so after the delivery, at past 2pm, the Polling officially started.

It was encouraging to see many voters determined to stay until they cast their vote, and indeed by 3pm the turn up was really impressive.