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By Amiri Wabusimba.
The 39th anniversary of Uganda’s National Resistance Movement (NRM) Liberation Day that was celebrated in Mubende District, presented a reflective moment on the country’s journey since its liberation. President Yoweri Museveni’s speech painted an optimistic picture, emphasizing the government’s commitment to economic empowerment and poverty eradication. He stressed infrastructure and agricultural development as key to achieving these goals. Yet, as Mubende’s local realities starkly diverge from the promises made, the time has come for a deeper examination of government priorities and their alignment with the needs of the people.
 
President Museveni’s address focused largely on fostering household economic growth through agriculture, manufacturing and ICT. He underscored the government’s ongoing commitment to infrastructure development, including roads and electricity, believing these to be central to stimulating rural economies. The president suggested that a prosperous Uganda, characterized by thriving households and increased income generation, was on the horizon.  However, these promising words seem at odds with the harsh realities faced by Mubende residents, a district that historically holds great agricultural significance.  Despite the speech, Mubende grapples with severe land disputes, where local residents are displaced by powerful interests. The government’s advocacy for household Income falls short of addressing the central issue: how can residents generate household income if their access to land is insecure?
 
A striking omission in the President’s address was the failure to highlight Mubende’s role as an agricultural stronghold. While other districts, such as Serere, were presented as models of agricultural success, Mubende was conspicuously absent from the narrative. This neglect not only missed an opportunity to celebrate local achievements but also reinforced a perception that the district was being overlooked despite its pivotal role in NRM’s liberation struggle.  Mubende, a district with a rich agricultural history, stood as a symbolic backdrop to the Liberation Day celebrations. Despite its significant historical and agricultural contributions to Uganda’s liberation and development, the district was conspicuously absent from the list of awardees.  The absence of recognition for Mubende’s farmers, entrepreneurs, and local change-makers calls into question the government’s understanding of the challenges faced by local communities. The omission highlights the widening gap between government promises and the lived experiences of those on the ground.
 
Despite the government’s push for agricultural production, Mubende’s farmers continue to face significant hurdles, particularly lack of market access for their produce. While initiatives like the PDM aim to increase agricultural output, the lack of viable, sustainable markets for Mubende’s farmers undermines these efforts. Farmers are unable to reap the benefits of their labor when there is no guarantee of fair prices for their crops.  Take, for example, the maize farming in Mubende. While this presents opportunities, it has not necessarily translated into economic empowerment for local farmers. With limited access to reliable markets, farmers are often forced to sell their maize at low prices to middlemen, rather than benefiting from a fair trade system. To ensure that government promises of infrastructure development, such as roads and electricity, translate into tangible benefits, a more comprehensive focus on creating accessible local markets is essential. Only then can farmers sell their goods at sustainable prices and achieve real economic gains.
 
To empower communities like Mubende, Uganda must adopt a more integrated approach to development, one that takes local realities into account. The government must address the critical issues of land insecurity and market access through targeted policies and initiatives. Strengthening market systems, promoting cooperative farming, and expanding export opportunities for high-value crops are vital steps towards this goal. A more localized approach is key to addressing the unique challenges faced by districts like Mubende. With the right focus on securing land rights, improving market access, and investing in local infrastructure, the promises of household economic empowerment can be realized. The government must ensure that its development plans are not just abstract ideas but are firmly grounded in the realities of those they aim to help.
 
While the NRM Liberation Day celebrations in Mubende were a moment of national pride, they also revealed significant gaps in Uganda’s development strategy. For Uganda’s future to be built on sustainable progress, the government must prioritize addressing the land insecurity, market access, and infrastructure needs that remain pressing issues in districts like Mubende. Without these foundational elements, the dream of economic empowerment will remain distant for many.
Mubende, a district with such historical significance, deserves not only recognition in speeches but also a genuine commitment to addressing its challenges. Only through targeted action and policy adjustments can Uganda’s promises of prosperity truly be realized, ensuring that the benefits of development reach every corner of the nation, no matter its history or location. Uganda’s future must be one where all communities, including Mubende, are actively engaged in the nation’s growth story. The government must move beyond rhetoric and embrace real, localized solutions that reflect the realities of its citizens.
Amiri Wabusimba is a diplomatic Scholar, Journalist, political analyst and Human Right activist. Tel: +56775103895 email: [email protected]

Museveni’s Lies Exposed during 39 liberation address Over House hold Income and Land Insecurity in Mubende”

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Should a Convicted Cardinal Help Choose the Next Pope? » The Hoima Post –

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By Alexander Luyima | Religious Scholar

The election of a new pope is meant to be a sacred, solemn process—a moment when the College of Cardinals seeks divine guidance to select the next leader of the 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide. But this time, the conclave is mired in controversy, as Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Vecchio, a man convicted of financial crimes, demands the right to vote—and even be voted for—despite his fall from grace.

The Unprecedented Scandal

Vecchio was once among the Vatican’s most powerful figures. But in 2020, Pope Francis stripped him of his cardinal privileges following an internal investigation. Then, in 2023, the Vatican’s criminal court delivered a historic blow: Vecchio was found guilty of embezzlement and fraud, and sentenced to five and a half years in prison—making him the first cardinal ever convicted by the Holy See’s own tribunal.

Yet, thanks to a pending appeal, Vecchio remains free, residing in a Vatican apartment while his legal battle drags on. Now, with the papal conclave approaching, he insists that an invitation to a 2022 meeting of cardinals somehow restored his full rights, including the ability to vote for the next pope.

Canon Law vs. Moral Authority

The Church’s legal experts are divided:

Some argue that unless explicitly reinstated, Vecchio’s 2020 removal by Pope Francis still stands.

Others claim that participation in official gatherings implies a tacit restoration of privileges.

But beyond the legal technicalities lies a deeper question: Should a convicted criminal—one found guilty by the Vatican’s own court—help elect the next Vicar of Christ?

“This isn’t just about rules; it’s about credibility,” says Dr. Elena Rossi, a canon law specialist. “The Church has spent years trying to rebuild trust after scandals. Allowing a felon in the conclave would send a disastrous message.”

A Wider Pattern of Scandal

Vecchio isn’t the only controversial figure lingering in the Vatican’s halls.

Two other cardinals, previously found guilty of sexual abuse, are expected to attend pre-conclave discussions—though they cannot vote due to age restrictions.

Critics argue that their mere presence undermines the moral weight of the process.

“The optics are terrible,” notes Father Thomas Brennan, a reform advocate. “If the Church truly wants to cleanse itself, it must start by keeping those who betrayed its trust far from the seat of power.”

What Happens Next?

The Vatican has remained silent so far, but pressure is mounting.

1. Will Pope Francis issue a definitive ruling?

2. Will the College of Cardinals reject Vecchio’s claim?

3. Or will this set a dangerous precedent for future conclaves?

One thing is clear: The world is watching—and so are the faithful.

Join the Debate
Should convicted clergy have any role in selecting the next pope? Share your thoughts below with #VaticanConclave #ChurchAccountability #CatholicReform.

Follow for further analysis as this pivotal moment in Church history unfolds.

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The Looting, Lies, and Fear of a Dictator Exposed » The Hoima Post –

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President Museveni

By Alexander Luyima

The Fall from Liberation to Paranoia

In March 1987, Yoweri Museveni—fresh from seizing power—could still look Ugandans in the eye. His convoy? Just six cars. As he drove past Baganda Bus Park, he stood boldly through the sunroof, waving at citizens. When his aide, Lt. Col. Serwanga Lwanga, warned him to sit down for safety, Museveni scoffed:

“Gwe Serwanga, nvaako – nabba kyaani?”
(“You Serwanga, leave me alone—whose property have I stolen to be shot?”)

Fast forward to 2025: a battalion of armored trucks, drones, counter-assault teams, and over 30 vehicles now shields him. Why? Because today, Museveni has stolen not just property—but an entire nation.

The Evidence of Loot: From Peasant Revolt to Kleptocracy

1. The Land Grabs & Family Empire

The 9,000-Acre Namanve Land Scandal: In 2021, the government illegally evicted over 4,000 families to hand prime land to Museveni’s brother, Gen. Salim Saleh, and Chinese investors. (Daily Monitor, 2021)

The Mabira Forest Giveaway: Despite national outrage, Museveni’s regime repeatedly attempted to parcel out protected forest land to sugar tycoons linked to his family. (The Observer, 2023)

2. The Oil Mafia & Shadow Accounts

Uganda’s Oil: A Family Cash Cow – In 2020, Global Witness exposed how Museveni’s son-in-law, Edwin Karugire, and other regime elites secretly controlled oil blocks through offshore shell companies. (Global Witness, 2020)

The $10 Billion Oil Debt Mystery – Despite multiple deals signed, billions remain unaccounted for, with no public transparency on beneficiaries. (Africa Intelligence, 2024)

3. Military Corruption & Ghost Soldiers

The $500 Million “Ghost Soldiers” Scandal: In 2022, Parliament revealed how billions meant for army salaries vanished, with thousands of “ghost soldiers” on payroll while real soldiers starved. (ChimpReports, 2022)

Museveni’s Private Militias: The Special Forces Command (SFC)—loyal only to him—receives $300 million annually, while public hospitals run out of basic medicines. (The Independent, 2023)

Why Museveni Fears Ugandans Now

1. The Betrayal of Comrades

Major Kazooora, a hero of the 1986 Masindi assault, was denied a state funeral for exposing corruption in his memoirs.

Other NRA veterans like Col. Kizza Besigye and Gen. David Sejusa have faced torture, exile, or silencing for demanding accountability.

2. The Rise of a Police State

Over 1,200 political prisoners languish in jail—including National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters. (Human Rights Watch, 2024)

Journalists such as Kakwenza Rukirabashaija are abducted and tortured for criticizing Museveni’s family. (Amnesty International, 2023)

3. The Youth Revolt

76% of Ugandans are under 30—and they are unemployed, angry, and online.

#MuseveniMustGo trends weekly despite the regime’s censorship and surveillance.

The Final Lie: “Liberator” Turned Prison Warden

Museveni once declared:
“The problem of Africa is leaders who overstay.”

Yet 39 years later, he clings to power—rigging elections, killing protesters, and looting billions while Ugandans suffer.

The People’s Verdict

We remember Kazooora.
We expose the looters.
We reject fear.

Museveni’s walls of security won’t hide his crimes forever.

#MuseveniIsALooter #UgandaIsBleeding #KazoooraWasRight #YouthArise #EndTortureInUganda #OilMoneyStolen #LandGrabsExposed #MuseveniMustGo

Spread this. Share this. The truth will win.

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The Gate is Open, But Who Will Step Out? A Reflection on Uganda’s Fear of Freedom » The Hoima Post –

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waving uganda flag on dark background vector

By Alexander Luyima

For years, I kept my chickens indoors. One day, I opened the gate to give them a chance at freedom—to roam, find their own food, and taste a world beyond the fence. But they hesitated. Even with the gate wide open, they stayed inside, conditioned by routine and confinement. I had to chase them out, only for them to scurry around nervously, unsure of what to do with their newfound “freedom.”

This is not just a story about chickens—it is a mirror of our society.

Many Ugandans, like those chickens, have been conditioned to find comfort in captivity. We’ve grown so used to the crumbs falling from the table of the oppressor that we fear sitting at the table ourselves. So when the gates of opportunity or revolution open, we freeze, hesitate, and sometimes even resist the ones trying to lead us through.

The Psychological Chains of Oppression

“Freedom is a mindset before it is a reality,” says Jim Spire Ssentongo, academic, cartoonist, and one of Uganda’s most revered satirical voices. “Many people are so used to being told what to do, what to believe, and what to accept that they develop an emotional loyalty to their own oppression.”

Hon. Lutamaguzi Semakula, Member of Parliament for Nakaseke South, echoes this sentiment:

> “The real struggle is not just against the dictator, but against the fear that lives in the hearts of the people. Ugandans need to believe that they deserve better, and that change is possible.”

But one man continues to knock on the hearts and minds of Ugandans with unwavering courage—Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine. A pop star turned opposition leader, Kyagulanyi has repeatedly risked his life to lead Ugandans through that open gate to a new Uganda. His rallying cry, “People Power, Our Power”, is not just a slogan. It’s a call to consciousness.

> “I don’t want to be your hero. I want you to know that you are the hero Uganda has been waiting for,” Kyagulanyi said in a recent address. “Don’t fear the freedom you deserve. Walk through the gate, and let’s build a new Uganda together.”

Why the Gate Must Stay Open

The systems that have kept Ugandans in economic, social, and political bondage are cracking—but cracks alone are not enough. We must walk through them. The gate is open. The future awaits.

It will take bold leaders, courageous citizens, and persistent truth-tellers to keep pushing against the tide of fear. But more importantly, it will take each one of us choosing not to cling to the familiar cages of the past.

Call to Action:

Ugandans, both at home and in the diaspora, the time has come to break the mental chains.

Ask questions.

Organize in your communities.

Support voices of reason and resistance.

Vote with your conscience.

Reject fear and walk boldly into the Uganda we all deserve.

Because freedom, once tasted, will never be forgotten.

Join the Movement. Share the Message.

#UgandaDeservesBetter
#PeoplePowerOurPower
#OpenTheGate
#MentalEmancipation
#NewUgandaNow
#WalkOutWithBobiWine

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