Why Should Bars be Open 24/7?

‘Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly!’ (Proverbs 23:31)

By Josepha Jabo

In Uganda, bars are open 24/7.  It is not surprising, therefore, that in 2016 CNN ranked Uganda the 8th most alcoholic nation in the world, in terms of alcoholic consumption, and the 1st most alcoholic nation in Africa!

On Tuesday, November 8, 2022 Tororo District Woman MP, Sarah Opendi, presented ‘The Alcohol Control Bill 2022’ in Parliament, a draft bill proposing, amongst other things, that there should be no sale of alcohol before noon (midday) and before 6am.

This is because in Uganda people have the freedom to drink alcohol from morning to morning and some drunkards even sleep in bars! Bar-hoppers who drink alcoholic drinks, as a form of escapism, claim it is a ‘stress-killer’ because being intoxicated helps them forget their problems for a while as they waste their money on drinks in bars ‘having fun.’ But what’s the point of attending drinking parties, if you end up dying before your time in a drunk driving car crash?

According to a World Health Organization (WHO) Uganda 2018 road safety report, ‘On average Uganda loses 10 people per day in road traffic accidents, which is the highest level in East Africa.’ One if the causes is drunk driving. Now, if our traffic police embarked on a rigorous, year-round ‘Don’t Drink and Drive’ campaign, ready to carry out on-the-spot sobriety tests with breathalyzers on hand to test the amount of alcohol in a driver’s blood (this should include bodaboda riders) and ask them to ‘Walk the Line’ traffic accidents in Uganda would automatically reduce. Incidentally, the bill also suggests alcohol should not be sold to on duty law enforcement officers in uniform.

Those who are opposed to this bill are either clueless, or do not care how much alcohol destroys families or the fact that an alcoholic is not able to hold down a job. Therefore, it makes sense that drinking hours should be restricted, so that people drink more responsibly, or better yet become a teetotaler!

High alcoholic rates mean the country has lessened labour productivity, which overall has a negative effect on Gross Domestic Product (GDP). High taxes alone are not enough to restrict alcoholic consumption because people, who cannot afford the expensive brands, will simply purchase the cheaper brands. If it’s about losing tax venue, alcohol is not the only taxable commodity in this country—there are many!

During elections, some politicians even buy alcohol for their potential voters, in a bid to make themselves more popular!

We live in such a laissez-faire society that in Uganda, it is common practice for a parent to send his or her child to the neighborhood shop to buy alcohol. On the other hand, in developed countries that have higher GDPs than ours, the seller will first ask the child for some form of identification to ensure he is not selling alcohol to a minor, but in Uganda the seller will sell alcohol to the child, even when he or she can see the child is clearly underage. Therefore, one of the proposals in this bill is that whoever wants to buy alcohol should first present some form of identification (you should be 18 and above) either a national ID or a passport before one is allowed to buy.

On February 4, 2023 I was shocked to read Saturday Vision’s front-page headline story, ‘Police Probes Drug Cartels in Schools: Teachers Selling Drugs and Alcohol to Learners.’ What happened to professional ethics? We would do well to have more educational programs on our television sets. Documentaries teaching the dangers of alcohol abuse would help people sober up fast!

Opendi is currently carrying out consultations with relevant stakeholders to hear their views about her bill. Of course, for fear of a dip in sales, alcoholic beverage manufacturers and bar owners are up in arms about this bill. Yet, some of the negative long-term effects of alcoholic consumption are: poverty, liver failure, brain damage, memory loss, forgetfulness, hallucinations, blindness and cancer etc. In fact,alcohol addiction can lead to mental illness and one could end up being admitted as a patient in Butabika National Referral Mental Hospital! In extreme cases, people have died from alcohol poisoning.

In addition, bars which are established in residential areas have become a source of noise pollution in neighborhoods, stressing residents who cannot sleep because of the booming music emitting from the bars that keeps them awake until all hours of the night!

Proverbs 23:31-35 (NIV) likens alcohol to a serpent, ‘Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup,when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. Your eyes will see strange sights, and your mind will imagine confusing things. You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging. “They hit me,” you will say, “but I’m not hurt! They beat me, but I don’t feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?”’

For sobriety’s sake, ‘The Alcohol Control Bill 2022’ needs to be enacted into law immediately.

It’s Oulanyah’s Turn Now

Photo Credit: The Insider

by Josepha Jabo

In the hotly contested parliamentary race for Speakership, Rebecca Kadaga’s campaign team is putting forward the argument that since she’s the only woman occupying one of the top 20 public positions in Uganda, she should retain it. As Speaker, Honourable Kadaga is occupying the third topmost position in the country after the president and vice president respectively. Yet, whoever becomes the next Speaker in the 11^th Parliament should not be a matter of gender; it should be a matter of principle.

Madam Speaker is well aware of NRM’s 2016 Central Executive Committee’s (CEC) resolution to grant her only one more term as Speaker. At the time, Kadaga reasoned that if Edward Ssekandi was permitted to serve two terms as Speaker, for a ten-year period, likewise she should be allowed the same and she made these remarks openly in the media.

Even if Kadaga never agreed in CEC to step down from the position of Speaker in 2021, as she is now claiming, at the very least she is aware that in 2016 her deputy Jacob Oulanyah was persuaded by CEC to step down from the Speakership race, with the understanding that this would be Kadaga’s last term as Speaker.

Could it be Kadaga’s true motive is retaining the perks, privileges and per diem that come with this position?

As Oulanyah rightly asked if Kadaga has the support of 300 Members of Parliament (MPs), as she alleges, then why is she campaigning?

Meanwhile Oulanyah’s comments, while appearing as a guest during NBS’s Frontline’s political talk show on the evening of Thursday, 25th March, 2021, sparked a hashtag #Oulanyah4Speaker that was still trending on Twitter by Friday morning.

Oulanyah set the record straight when he said, ‘I heard that I made a call to the Speaker and told her, “Mummy come and rescue me.” I had a meeting with the Speaker and we discussed that I postpone the debate on the age limit. I didn’t run. I have dealt with more difficult situations.’

On the economy, Oulanyah said, ‘The resources we have, have gone to feed the greed and not the need. Time and again I have stated that the money generated by this country is enough to run our budget, more than enough. Just look at the wastage, then you’ll understand what I’m saying.’

Oulanyah has a reputation for being time conscious whenever he chairs Parliament’s plenary. He knows the law like the back of his hand. He is a brilliant man, who was born to be Speaker. Kadaga has had her turn. She’s been Speaker for 10 years! It’s Oulanyah’s turn now.

The GMO Bill Should Never Become Law

Photo Credit: environment.co.za

By Josepha Jabo

I would like to applaud President Museveni for not signing the GMO Bill (aka Biosafety Bill). GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organisms. In a letter to Parliament, which was read by the Speaker on Tuesday, August 27, 2019 the president wrote, ‘I have rejected the law in its entire form. I am unable to assent to it for reasons I will elaborate in this letter… We must have a law that allows our scientists to carry out research and make scientific breakthroughs that at the same time safeguard the beautiful ecology and diversity that God has bestowed in our country as well as the interests of the wananchi, who depend on the land.’

This is the second time President Museveni has returned the controversial GMO Bill to Parliament; the first time was in December 2017.

In the article, ‘Several European Countries Move to Rule out GMOs,’ published on the European Commission website it states, ‘Nineteen out of the 28 member state countries of the European Union have voted to either partially or fully ban Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). This comes after the European Commission called for each EU nation to vote if they wanted to opt out of having to grow GMO crops even if they were allowed to do so within the boundaries of the EU. Several countries such as France, Germany, Austria, Greece, Hungary, the Netherlands, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Bulgaria, Poland, Denmark, Malta, Slovenia, Italy and Croatia have chosen a total ban. Wallonia, the French-speaking region of Belgium has opted out, as well as Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Flemish region of Belgium, England and Romania are open to GMOs.’

Therefore, if Europe has largely rejected GMOs, why should Uganda embrace them?

In the USA, health-conscious Americans are currently opting for organic food that has no growth hormones and organic food stores are big business! Uganda, with its fertile soils, good rainfall and sunshine year round already produces healthy, organic food.

There is also a suspected link between GMOs and cancer. In the article, ‘What are the pros and cons of GMO foods?’ published in Medical News Today it states, ‘Some researchers believe that eating GMO foods can contribute to the development of cancer. They argue that because the disease is caused by mutations in DNA, it is dangerous to introduce new genes into the body.’

There are even GMO mosquitoes!

The Bible warns against the mixing of seeds (Deuteronomy 22: 9-11). Doing so is interference with nature, the way God planned it because Genesis 1:29 (NIV) says, ‘Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.’

One of the ways GMO scientists interfere with nature is by genetically modifying seeds through genetic engineering. They do this by mixing the desired disease resistant gene, with the commercial plant variety to create the supposedly improved commercial plant variety, which is a disease and drought resistant GMO crop.

However, in pursuit of higher yields, first of all the taste of GMO foods is compromised and probably some nutrients as well. Secondly, according to reports from the field, one is not able to plant afresh once the GMO crop is consumed because GMO seeds do not germinate. Why modify indigenous seeds in the first place? If supposedly drought-resistant GMO seeds cannot be replanted and reproduce, hence a one-time harvest only, won’t this trigger food insecurity in the long run by making the farmer dependent on the supplier of GMOs seeds?

It is for these reasons that the GMO Bill should never become law in Uganda.

The Writer works for Uganda Media Centre

Dispelling the Rumour: Uganda Has Not Yet Started Producing Oil

By Josepha Jabo

Photo Credit: New Vision

Rumours are rife that Government of Uganda is already producing oil in the Albertine Graben. Nothing could be further from the truth.

From January 22-25, 2019 I was in Uganda’s oil region for, ‘A Field Visit for Government Communication Officers to Oil and Gas Operations Areas’ organised by the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU). This included visiting the oil fields at the Kingfisher project in Hoima district and the Tilenga project in Buliisa and Nwoya districts.

It is a step-by-step process to produce crude oil. Uganda’s oil is young. Young in relation to oil found in other parts of the world. It is 10 million years old. There are three phases in the oil industry. The first is Upstream (exploration, development, production and decommissioning). The second is Midstream (transportation, refining and gas processing). The third is Downstream (distribution, sales and marketing). Uganda is at Upstream, we are at the development phase. This means Uganda’s oil industry is still being developed; therefore, although activity it taking place in the oil region (exploration) it does not mean production has started. There is no production of crude oil at the present time.

There are three international oil companies that are in a joint venture partnership at Kingfisher and Tilenga: China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) Tullow and Total. Government of Uganda’s interests are represented by Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC).

Out of the anticipated 6 billion barrels of oil in place, it anticipated 1.4 billion barrels are recoverable. When oil starts flowing, Uganda will produce about 200,000 barrels a day at peak production. It will take 4 to 5 years to peak and then it will go into decline.

These oil companies wanted the oil out of the ground yesterday. At the end of April 2019, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni met Total’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chairman Mr. Patrick Pouyanné, at State House Entebbe in order to speed up the Final Investment Decision (FID) which has stalled. It is anticipated that the FID will be ready by the end of 2019. Once the FID details are ironed out, Uganda can make progress towards achieving its ‘First Oil.’

‘First Oil’ is when the first barrel of crude oil is produced.

Hon. Irene Muloni, Minister of Energy and Minerals Development, has previously said that Uganda will realize its ‘First Oil’ in 2022. Thereafter, the oil refinery is likely to become operational in 2023. However, the deadline for Uganda’s ‘First Oil’ has been pushed forward several times from 2013, 2016, 2018 and 2020. Hopefully, the realization of Uganda’s Black Gold will not go beyond 2022.

We visited the Kingfisher Development Area in the Albertine Graben. In the oil industry, a wildcat well is also known as an exploration well. When an oil company comes to virgin land and drills a wildcat well, it could be dry or the company might find oil. The subsequent wells drilled afterwards are called appraisal wells. After appraisal, the oil company gets a production license. At Kingfisher, the petroleum system is in a basin, where there are four wells including a Central Processing Facility (CPF) overlooking Lake Albert. A CPF processes crude oil because when it is pumped out of the ground it is mixed with soil, water and gas.

During the trip, a plastic container of crude oil was passed around the bus and it looked like black shoe polish! This is because it Uganda’s crude oil is viscous; it is thick and waxy and solidifies at room temperature. Hence the pipelines, once constructed will have to be electrically heated to cause it to flow. When crude oil is being produced, associated gas is produced alongside it. The gas produced at Kingfisher will be used for power generation at the site and processes for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). However, the gas at the Tilenga project will be used for power generation only.

Flow lines from the Kingfisher and Tilenga projects will transport crude oil from the well pads to their respective CPFs. From the CPF, feeder lines will transport the crude oil to the refinery at Kabaale Industrial Park in Hoima. At the refinery, the crude oil will be separated. Some of the crude oil will remain at the refinery to create by-products, for the petrol-based industry. The rest of the crude oil will be fed into the 1,445km main crude oil pipeline from Hoima district to Tanga Port, in Tanzania en route to the international market.

We also went to Kabaale Industrial Park, where the refinery and Hoima International Airport, also known as Kabaale International Airport are being constructed. Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) is the business arm of Uganda’s oil and gas sector. UNOC is representing Government of Uganda’s interests in Kabaale Industrial Park by managing the facilities there. There is a master plan for the development of the industrial park, which will include the international airport, a refinery, roads, airport rescue and fire fighting, a mobile control tower, parking facilities, employee housing, electrical main substation, an agro zone among others. Overall work progress is at 15.33%. According to the contractors, the construction works at Kabaale International Airport will be complete by 2021. Once operational, Uganda’s second international airport, after Entebbe International Airport, will handle cargo flights related to the oil industry as well as commercial flights.

The presence of oil and gas, anywhere in the world, always causes an influx of people plus foreign currency. As a result, in anticipation of oil proceeds, critical oil roads are being constructed in the explored oil region. Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), World Bank and the oil companies are sharing the responsibly in constructing and upgrading these roads.

Uganda’s insurance companies have formed a consortium to increase their capacity to manage big projects like oil and gas. In addition, Uganda has already benchmarked Norway for oil resource management.

Recently, there was the exciting discovery of oil in Elgon. On Wednesday, April 10, 2019, the New Vision ran a headline, ‘Oil Leaks Found in Elgon Region: Government to open bidding process for exploration.’ This find automatically widens the scope of the nation’s crude oil fields.

In conclusion, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, during the State of the Nation Address, held at Kampala Serena Hotel, on Thursday, 6^th June 2019 said, “We have the minerals, we have the oil—but we have not yet used them.”

The Writer works for Uganda Media Centre

 

 

 

Bobi Wine: The False Messiah

By Josepha Jabo

Photo Credit: DJ Erycom

In spite of several warnings from security agents, in a spirit of defiance, Bobi Wine has not relented from politicizing his music-concerts-turned-political-rallies, using them as platforms to make increasingly provocative, antigovernment statements.

After the November 2018 Kyarenga Concert at his One Love Beach, during which he uttered political statements; he did not meet all the guidelines given to him by police, therefore, he was not given clearance for his Boxing Day show. Shortly thereafter, while speaking to journalists in Luganda, in a fit of anger Bobi Wine said, “He can’t stop the music. You can’t stop me Mr. President (Museveni) we are going to remove you from the chair (throne)!”

On whose authority?

Bobi Wine does not respect authority. He does not even revere Christian songs. As was pointed out by Pastor Gabriel Baaba (formerly Pastor Martin Ssempa of Makerere Community Church), Bobi Wine has now even gone as far as plagiarizing ‘Olutalo Nga Luwedde,’ –a beloved Balokole (Born-again Christian) hymn!

On December 31, 2018 during the ‘Enkuuka yo’Mwaka’ fête, Bobi Wine released his latest song, ‘Tuliyambala Engule’ inserting his political agenda into the Christian song. If Bobi Wine is truly a gifted musician, why doesn’t he go to the studio and compose his own songs—instead of rejigging a song that clearly belongs to Christ?

Below is an extract from Pastor Gabriel Baaba (Martin Ssempa) January 1, 2019 statement on his Twitter account:

‘As a pastor, I am glad Bobi Wine is now singing a Balokole Revival song “Olutalo Nga Luwedde.” My problem is how he is changing the meaning or message of the song. What is the impact of turning a gospel worship song into a political party song? The song talks about a believer’s good fight as a pilgrim headed for Heaven—the biblical “New Jerusalem.” Now Bobi Wine tells us that the New Jerusalem is NOT Heaven but when he becomes Uganda’s president!! He holds himself as the future Messiah who replaces Jesus! The crown of glory talked about, is the victor’s crown given by God to those who overcome. Bobi Wine says it is the crown every Ugandan will get when he is president! …The battle or ‘Olutalo’ is a Balokole song of battling against the Satan and his demonic minions of the world. Bobi Wine says it is now his battles with Uganda Police’s teargas at his rallies. Our battle is firstly spiritual, then rewards will be given to the victor by God. This song was composed and is owned by our Balokole. The politicization of our sacred worship songs is NOT good.’

In the ‘Tuliyambala Engule’ music video, Pastor Wilson Bugembe appears singing towards the end of the song. Even so, a pastor’s collaboration, in this song does not legitimize the plagiarism. Incidentally, Pastor Wilson Bugembe began a ‘Celebrity Sunday’ church service in 2015, to attract Ugandan celebrities to Light the World Church. Bobi Wine was one of the ‘celebrities’ who responded to his call, and he was even given the opportunity by Pastor Wilson Bugembe to preach in his church from the pulpit. But why should a pastor hold a church service to honour celebrities, when Christians are supposed to go to church to honour God? Expressing remorse for collaborating in ‘Tuliyambala Engule’, Pastor Wilson Bugembe said in a January 6, 2019 interview with NTV that, ‘If I was to do it all over again, I’d be like ‘no.’’

In the Luganda song, whose music video has English subtitles, Bobi Wine first appears in a choirmaster’s robe directing a choir before changing into his trademark white attire and militant red beret. Some of the lyrics are:

‘When the struggle is over, we shall wear the victor’s crown, we shall walk with swag in a new Uganda!

Walk with swag?

It continues.

‘All power in the hands of the people, that’s the Promised Land…(then Bobi Wine politicizes it by singing) and when People Power wins, we shall wear the victor’s crown.’

‘Honourable’ Robert Kyagulanyi is in grave error, when he attempts to equate his prone-to-violence ‘People Power’ movement to noble causes such as the 1960s civil rights movement and now even more outrageously—Christianity. Really?

The former, ‘Bad Man From Kamwokya’ singer has a long history of reinventing himself. Now, through these rejigged lyrics, he has reinvented himself as a self-styled Messiah.

Don’t fall for it.

Only Jesus saves.

Jesus forewarned about False Messiahs (both Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek/Latin) mean ‘Anointed One’) when he said, ‘“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand.”’ Matthew 24:23-25 (NKJV)

Bobi Wine is no Messiah.

Boat Cruise Tragedy Should be a Wake-Up Call

By Josepha Jabo

The MV Templar wreck, retrieved from Lake Victoria. Photo Credit: The Crime 24

On Friday afternoon, I was walking in Kampala when, outside Diamond Trust Bank, I saw a street vendor selling a ‘Boat Cruise Victims 2019 Calendar.’ I did a double take and peered in closer, to make sure I had read the title correctly. Indeed, it was a boat cruise victims’ calendar! The lovely faces, of those who had so recently passed, were splashed on the one page calendar that had a shiny sheen, showing it was hot off the press. The vendor had placed a large stone, on one corner of the calendar, to hold it down to the pavement and prevent it from being blown away by the wind.  I was shocked that an unscrupulous individual could callously seek to profit from this tragedy. Since Friday, 30^th November, 2018 was the day designated by Government of Uganda as the national day of mourning for boat cruise victims, a shrewd businessperson had timed Friday as the opportune time to release the calendar and distribute it to street vendors to sell.

Most boat cruises are notorious for sexual immorality. In the case of the MV Templar that sank on Saturday, 24^th November, 2018 drowning over 30 people; it was filled with fun-loving, attractive, party people who were ready for anything.

In singer and survivor Iryn Namubiru’s Facebook account, she admitted to having a premonition about attending the boat cruise, having spent the previous night in prayer. She mentioned the mysterious financier who kept buying people free drinks at KK Beach at Ggaba, and if you ordered a drink—you would get a bottle! ‘People were asking about the situation of the boat. The boat wasn’t coming, but booze was flowing. There was every kind of alcohol. People were downing double Black Labels and other whiskeys and Cognac like it was their last day. And anything you asked for, you were served by the bottle, it was always a full bottle for one person.’

Who does that? Who deliberately intoxicates people, for hours, and then lets tipsy partiers board a ramshackled boat?

Similarly, in the article, ‘Why I Declined to Steer Ill-Fated Boat—Captain’ published in Saturday Vision, on December 1, 2018 David Mukwaya the former coxswain, who was an eyewitness, narrated the events on that day at KK Beach, as people awaited the boat. ‘At around 12:00pm, a van brought girls, who I think were campus students to offer company to the men on the boat. These girls started drinking immediately and even before 5:00pm, some of them could no longer stand.’

Other media reports indicate that once on the boat, some revellers indulged in smoking shisha, marijuana and drinking even more alcohol.

There was a lot of drama on the ill-fated boat that ended up becoming a death trap. In the story, ‘Death on Lake Victoria: Final Moments,’ published in Kampala Sun on Friday, November 30-Thursday, December 6, 2018 Brian Vianney Jjuuko Mukasa, recounted what transpired on MV Templar.‘The boat engineer must have been an experienced swimmer, because he did a back flip and swam off. I was sober and followed the argument with keen interest. There was a moment the boat rocked from side to side. Templar picked the microphone from the DJ. He asked the crowds to try and balance the boat. For some it was part of the drunken fun, running from left to right at the front deck as they shouted, “To the left…to the right.” I knew something was amiss when I noticed our luggage was wet. I panicked.’

Fortunately Mukasa is a good swimmer, who once worked as a lifeguard at a hotel. After the boat capsized, he testified, ‘By the time I swam to the rescue boat, it had left. I did not swim the entire lake alone. I was with Jesus Christ. I saved two lives, but I apologise to the lady I could not save. My own hands were out of energy I let go of her…I swam for more than an hour.’

Likewise, Iryn Namubiru stated when people fell in the water, they began repenting and crying out to God. ‘Around me in the dark, people were screaming, wailing and others repenting. I was only responding “AMEN” in my heart to other people’s loud prayers across the water.’

During the 9’Oclock NTV news bulletin, on Friday, 30^th November, 2018, ‘MV Templar Survivors need Counseling and Emotional Support – Experts,’ Shamillah Nsereko, one of the survivors, was traumatized by the incident. She recalled, ‘There was a lot of screaming. The young women (or the young girls) who were there who had families or children, they were screaming for their lives and their children. “My children, I’m going to leave my children. My children are very young!” The noise was too much. But, suddenly, I started hearing very low voices coming up. It reduced, time after time; until we started to see people floating on water.’

It is unfortunate that the boat cruise victims died before their time.

This tragedy should be a wake-up call for all of us.

 ‘There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.’ Luke 13: 1-5 (The Reformation Study Bible)

Social norms shape the national character of a nation, and this tragedy is a snapshot of what our society has become.

As it is, we live in a society where people throw their rubbish with careless indifference on the streets, because a Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) cleaner will clean up after us; where boda-bodas ride recklessly on pavements, endangering the lives of pedestrians on a daily basis; where child neglect is so rampant to the extent that a parent puts their school-going child (or children) on a boda-boda to go to school. The brazen stealing of government resources by ‘untouchables,’ systemic corruption, the glorification of thievery (‘steal but don’t get caught’), the giving of bribes, the taking of bribes, malcontents living beyond their means, the get-rich-quick mentality, flaunting ill-gotten gain, con artistry and land grabbing abound. The glorification of slay queens (slay means: ‘to kill’), Cross-Generational-Sex, sex-for-marks, child marriages, revelry, drunkenness, tribalism, nepotism, Godfatherism, Godmothersim, ageism (discriminating against the elderly), mediocrity, buying exam papers, lying, witchcraft and the like. ‘Charity (love) begins at home’ but instead of loving our neighbours, we exhibit an I–don’t-care attitude. We have fallen into moral decadence.

Yet, 2 Chronicles 7:14 King James Version says, ‘If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.’

We, as a nation, need to repent.

27 Guns Movie Review: You’ll be Gunning For It!

By Josepha Jabo

27 Guns is a war movie that really takes you back to the perilous times of Uganda in the 1980s. On Wednesday, 26^th September, 2018 I headed to 3D Cinema Magic, at Metroplex in Naayla, to watch Natasha Museveni Karugire’s historic biopic.

From the movie; it becomes apparent that Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who on one hand was called ‘a bandit’ by his detractors and ‘a rare breed’ by his admirers, was a revolutionary. After all, it takes a lot of bravado to take up arms against government to engage in guerilla warfare. In addition, his former position as the Minister of Defence in Obote’s government prepared him for this herculean task, because it made him privy to the location of all the barracks and military bases in the country, as well as the extent of their military equipment. However, I cannot overlook the role prayer and God’s protection played in many of the Bush War heroes narrow escapes!

Although all the actors put up a good performance, my favourite actor was Jedidiah Sezi Nuwewenka, who played Salim Saleh effortlessly; Diana Museveni Kamuntu was also good in her role as Mrs. Janet Museveni the exile-refugee. I found the recruitment of the kadogos (child soldiers) moving, since the majority of them were orphans who had nowhere else to go. The most touching scene was when the Uganda National Liberation Army (UNLA) soldiers came for Yoweri’ Kaguta Museveni’s elderly parents, Mzee Amos Kaguta and his wife Esteri Kokundeka, deep in the village, demanding to know the rebel’s whereabouts, which provoked Yoweri’s mother to begin calling upon the name of Jesus!

It was a worthwhile endeavor, because the movie is entertaining and educational at the same time. I learnt some lessons and little-known facts about the National Resistance Army (NRA) liberation struggle. However, I do not want to go into details and ‘give it away’ by writing a summary of the entire storyline, which I have seen some movie reviewers erroneously doing.

The editing of the subtitles could have been better; nevertheless, I must commend Isaiah 60 Productions for capturing the spirit of the age with period-appropriate: afros, costumes, landline telephones, props, vehicles and the like. It is a long movie; but then again, it does cover the five-year span of the Bush War (1981-1986). I entered the movie theatre at 4:15pm and I exited at 6:50pm. Was it worth it? Yes. 27 Guns, which premièred in Uganda on Saturday, 8^th September, 2018 and later screened in South Africa, has thus far been well received by audiences. Eventually, 27 Guns will be released on DVD (not entirely sure when that will be) and I will definitely purchase copy when it becomes available.

The Cambridge English Dictionary defines, ‘be gunning for sth’ as: ‘to make a great effort to get or win something.’ This is exactly what 41 men with 27 guns did to liberate this country. The peace, we now enjoy in Uganda, is because they fought for it—we should not take it for granted. This is a captivating, historical movie all Ugandans should watch. I highly recommend it.

The Writer works for Uganda Media Centre

The Military Rebranding of Bobi Wine

By Josepha Jabo

Bobi Wine has always been branding himself. The first time he branded himself was when he took on the stage name ‘Bobi Wine’ in preference to his birth name Robert Kyagulanyi. Then he rebranded himself as the self-appointed ‘Ghetto President.’ As a musician, to cultivate the ‘Bad Man From Kamwokya’ image, Bobi Wine wore his hair in dreadlocks, smoked marijuana (a highly addictive drug) and was a Rastafarian.

Bobi Wine with dreadlocks. Photo Credit: Daily Nation

Then he launched his political career. Gone was the ‘Bad Man from Kamwokya.’ His ‘new image’ meant cutting off the Rastafarian dreadlocks and wearing sharp suits to appeal to voters in Kyadondo East. Thereafter he became Member of Parliament and once again the name Robert Kyagulanyi was resurrected. After all, he could hardly be called MP Bobi Wine!

Bobi Wine in a suit. Photo Credit: lejournal.africa

Branding or rebranding oneself is intended to create a persona or ‘new image’ and oftentimes this means a change in both appearance and attire. Consequently, Bobi Wine began wearing red and black militaristic attire whenever he was taking his campaigns (political protests) to the streets and has been photographed with his clenched fist in the air doing the power salute. His militaristic slogan “People Power, Our Power” is much more aggressive than Besigye’s “One Uganda, One People.”

Bobi Wine’s Power Salute. Photo Credit: Ghafla!

Bobi Wine’s militaristic attire is intended to give the visual impression or pass on a subliminal message that Bobi Wine is now a soldier. But if Bobi Wine is a soldier, what is he fighting for?

While in Arua, after the stoning of President Museveni’s car by a mob on Monday, August 13, 2018; the media reported Bobi Wine was found hiding in a ceiling of a hotel and that apparently it was a member of his own camp who betrayed his location to Special Forces Command (SFC) soldiers. So, clearly Bobi Wine is not a soldier, in the real sense of the word. He has never enrolled in Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) and he does not have a military rank.

Conversely, although he has chosen to rebrand himself as a soldier, his wife Barbie Kyagulanyi, (aka Barbie) claimed in an interview with NTV on Sunday, August 19, 2018 that, “My husband has never had training in gun possession and gun use. I think he does not even know how to assemble bullets in a gun.” She insisted that her husband hates guns. However, a few days after she made this statement, photographs of Barbie and Bobi smiling, enjoying a fun day out at a shooting range, where the happy couple was photographed each holding guns, emerged on social media! According to Wikipedia, ‘A shooting range or firing range is a specialized facility designed for firearms qualifications, training, or practice.’

When the #FreeBobiWine hashtag was at its peak, organized demonstrations were held by a few Ugandans living abroad in the Diaspora. Some of these demonstrators were homosexuals (who fled Uganda claiming persecution) and would like a change of government, where homosexuality is legalized. Yet, Bobi Wine has never dissociated himself from their support, although he must be fully aware the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Questioning (LGBTIQ) community threw their support behind him by protesting his arrest.

President Museveni has consistently refused to bend to external pressure to make homosexuality legal in Uganda and we thank God for that! On December 17, 2012 BBC Africa quoted President Museveni saying, “If there are some homosexuals, we shall not kill or persecute them but there should be no promotion of homosexuality. We cannot accept promotion of homosexuality as if it is a good thing.”

On Thursday, September 6, 2018 three events occurred, all of which are connected. Bobi Wine held his Washington DC press conference propped up by his American international lawyer Robert Amsterdam and India legalized homosexuality. The third event was ‘Nyege Nyege’, which began a four-day festival September 6-9, 2018 in Jinja, Uganda; Yet Minister of State for Ethics & Integrity, Father Simon Lokodo, had earlier warned during a press conference held at Uganda Media Centre on Tuesday, September 4, 2018 that ‘Nyege Nyege’ was an event intended to promote homosexuality in Uganda under the guise of a music festival that was promoting culture.

This is the worldwide LGBTIQ Invasion. To rally an army of youth behind you on the streets, plus on social media, to push your hashtags #FreeBobiWine and #PeoplePower requires money. Rumours persist that Bobi Wine is receiving funding from individuals who have links to LGBTIQ.

The Writer works for Uganda Media Centre

People Power will not Oust Museveni Regime

by Josepha Jabo

  (Photo Credit: News24)

The politically motivated “People Power, Our Power” slogan, currently being popularized by MP Robert Kyagulanyi (stage name Bobi Wine) and his red and black attired adherents, will not oust the Museveni regime. Under the guise of fighting for freedom, #FreeBobiWine and #PeoplePower proponents resort to cyber bullying anyone on social media with dissenting political views and civil disobedience on the streets in the form of riots. Why is the chanting of the “People Power” slogan always accompanied by violence? Matthew 7:16 says, ‘Ye shall know them by their fruits.’

On July 11, 2017 when Bobi Wine (the self-appointed ‘Ghetto President’) was sworn in as Member of Parliament (MP) for Kyadondo East he said, “If Parliament cannot come to the ghetto, the ghetto will come to the Parliament. So, I want you to know that the ghetto has come to the Parliament of Uganda.” Indeed, during the 2017 Presidential Age Limit debate, flouting the rules of procedure of Parliament, Bobi Wine jumped on the green seats in the legislative chamber, and with a microphone stand tried to ward off a security officer who was trying to restrain him. Yet, an Honourable MP should not damage parliamentary property, much less in a chamber where the laws of the land are debated during plenary sessions.

Prior to his political career, the dreadlocked Rasatfarian sang a hit song ‘Bad Man From Kamwokya.’ It is very telling. Rastafarians worship a god called Jah and ritually smoke marijuana, an addictive drug, as part of their worship.  It is not surprising; therefore, that Bobi Wine, who is a known marijuana user, opposed a proposal in Parliament to ban marijuana in May 2018 claiming the drug is ‘not dangerous.’ Really? According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) website, the side effects of smoking marijuana are, ‘Altered sense of time, changes in mood, impaired body movement, difficulty with thinking and problem-solving, impaired memory, hallucinations (when taken in high doses), delusions (when taken in high doses), psychosis (when taken in high doses), breathing problems, increased heart rate and paranoia,’ amongst others.

Following the Arua by-elections fracas and the stoning of President Museveni’s car on August 13, 2018 Bobi Wine alleges he was subjected to torture by Special Forces Command (SFC) soldiers. Nevertheless, the State maintains that the injuries were incurred by Bobi Wine, while he was resisting arrest, and that ‘SFC acted with restraint.’

Thereafter, Bobi Wine exaggerated the magnitude of his injuries by walking on crutches, while ironically wearing heavy Timberland boots. This is theatrics. He’s an actor. He once acted in a play at National Theatre, and has a Bachelor’s degree in Music, Dance and Drama from Makerere University. Therefore, since he has a background in the performing arts, Bobi Wine put on a show for the cameras, to provoke public sympathy.

Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, can corroborate this. While addressing journalists on Tuesday, September 4, 2018 at Uganda Media Centre Aceng said, “There was nothing significant to warrant their (Bobi Wine and Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake) medical referral abroad.” Aceng clarified that these two Members of Parliament went abroad of their own free will, and were ready to foot their own medical bills.

Media reports persist that Bobi Wine is an agent for foreign powers. “People Power” is a slogan that inspires insurrection against government, which seeks to endanger Uganda’s hard-fought for peace.

“People Power” intolerance climaxed during the Friday, August 31, 2018 Lugogo Cricket Oval music concert. Ugandan singer, Bebe Cool was forced off the stage, when rowdy concert-goers threw urine-filled bottles plus stones at him whilst booing and chanting “People Power.” They went too far and exposed the “People Power” movement for what it is—hooliganism.

On Thursday, September 6, 2018 during his Washington DC press conference, propped up by his international lawyer Robert Amsterdam; Bobi Wine claimed that the wound on his hand (a blister) was inflicted upon him while he was under arrest. However, the wound in itself is not does not prove that Bobi Wine was tortured by the Government of Uganda. He could have incurred that injury at anytime.

The Writer works for Uganda Media Centre

 

Why Boda Bodas are the Biggest Security Risk

By Josepha Jabo

Many of us were shocked by the tragic assassination of the late AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi on the morning of Friday, March 17, 2017. His murder was the twelfth high profile boda boda assassination in the last 5 years (2012-2017). Besides Kaweesi, these include: SPSA Joan Kagezi, Major Muhammed Kiggundu, one haji and the rest were sheikhs. In the case of Kaweesi’s murder, the sight of boda bodas has become so common that it did not seem so unusual for a boda boda rider to be seen repairing his bike right outside Kaweesi’s home. Even if the assassins used a sports bike, it was still very easy for the killers to blend in with the regular boda boda operators.

Uganda’s boda boda industry is the biggest security risk, in Kampala, and it has a long history with crime. When boda bodas first began to spring up in the early 2000s their riders were associated with smuggling goods across the Busia border hence the origin of the nickname ‘boda boda.’

In the article ‘Uganda: The Boda Boda Economy Defining the Streets of Kampala published on 15 September 2015 it states, ‘Data available from Kampala Capital City Authority indicates that Kampala alone has more than 120,000 motorcycles majority of which are engaged in commercial activities – boda boda. The number, according to Atanansi Kafeero, the Kampala Boda boda Riders Association could be more considering that many cyclists are operating within the city without registration. Out of the 120,000 Kafeero says, 38,000 motorcyclists operate within Kampala Central.’ However, according to a 2015 NBS news report there are an estimated 300,000 boda bodas in Kampala city!

It is said every day someone joins the boda boda industry. A boda boda rider can set up a stage anytime, anywhere. Boda bodas ride near people’s cars, end up scratching the car paint, and speed off. Even today morning I saw a boda boda transport three school children to school on a single bike! They do not respect traffic rules or pedestrians’ rights. Walking in Kampala used to be a pleasant affair but is no longer the case as the boda bodas frequently ride on the pavements that are only meant to be for pedestrians. This makes it easy for them to be bag snatchers as well. They are used as getaways in robberies. Many people have died or ended up being amputated as a result of their recklessness. The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) 17^th Annual 2014 Report states, ‘According to the ICCU, Mulago Hospital alone received 5-20 boda boda accident cases every day, which translated into 7,280 cases a year.’

In June, 2015, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) began erecting red and white ‘NO ENTRY FOR BODA BODA’ signposts around the city centre as no-go areas for boda boda motorcyclists. However, the boda bodas, who are used to acting with impunity, tore down 20 of the signs! At the time, KCCA intended to make Kampala’s Central Business District in a no-go area for boda bodas.

To remove the security risk they pose, boda bodas should be banned from Kampala and operate only on the city outskirts. For example, in Dar-es-Salaam, boda bodas are not allowed to operate in the city centre, they work in the city outskirts. Only owners of personal motorcycles are permitted to ride in Dar-es-Salaam.

The Writer works for Uganda Media Centre