Issue 33, November 2015 Issue 33, November 2015

BLACKCitizen Action Against theftMONDAY of our money without SHAME! Editorial Honor the Pope with Let us Welcome and Honour Pope Francis! ganda is yet to receive His Holiness a Theft Free Visit Pope Francis as part of his pastoral visit to the African Continent. This indeedU is a great opportunity for the people of that will go a long way in pro- moting our international relations; national tourism and heritage. Pope Francis is on record for promoting peace, social justice, equality and rule of law. The timing of the Pope’s visit requires us to reflect further on how Uganda is ready to embrace the same I ask you to ensure values that the Pope espouses. The pre- election epoch has already indicated that we are capable of failing on these values as seen that humanity is from the levels of violence and high levels of voter bribery. This special visit also requires citizens to served by wealth pay keen interest in the matters concerning the financial management of the prepara- tions. Our records in the past with such inter- and not rule by it national events like CHOGM have dragged senior government officials in courts of law over embezzled funds. Unfortunately, these funds have never been refunded and the tax- payer continues to lose. This visit therefore being one of a Holy man of God calls for our leaders to respect him but also his call for respect of humanity and self -dignity. This edition indeed makes analysis of the funds that we lost in the past to such events but also brings in a citizen’s letter to the Pope indicating the real issues at the heart of Ugandans. We would like to implore citizens to pay keen interest in this event but also promote the values of His Holiness Pope Francis. We all have a call to humanity and he year was November 2007. The Fast forward to 2015. Eight years later, of all Ugandans to ensure the visit is a to ensure that we live in a peaceful and just world’s cameras were focused global attention is back to . On success and the renovation works get on world. on Uganda. The event was the November 27, all eyes will be on Uganda well, the same way it is our duty to keep Welcome to Uganda Pope Francis! CommonT Wealth Heads of Government and excitement is already in the air over our ears and eyes alert. Richard Ssewakiryanga Meeting (CHOGM) and the eye catcher the Pope’s maiden visit. This will be The budget for the visit and attendant guest? Queen Elizabeth of England. The Pope Francis’ first time to say mass in works is reason we must keep our kill joy? The monster of corruption that Africa. Uganda hosted Pope Paul VI in eyes open 24/7, not because we don’t reared its ugly head, gripping every bit of 1969 and Pope John Paul II in 1993. 1trust our government but because our Inside this issue the most costly event Uganda has hosted Whereas there is every reason to be government’s track record does not since 1962, with public officials going excited, there is also every reason not give us reason to trust it. It is healthy 1 Honor the Pope with a down the drain to siphon every coin they to be worried per se but call for caution. mistrust, especially if that mistrust is Theft Free Visit could land their hands on. The initial translated into vigilance that can keep the budgeted cost for the headliner event was 2 thieves at bay. A poorly managed papal Shs 180 billion but this swelled to Shs The budget for the visit and visit, tainted by corruption damages our 2 An open letter to Pope Francis 278 billion when supplementary budgets attendant works is reason reputation as a people, and leaves the came into the picture. Some reports put we must keep our eyes open tax payer, the good hearted corporate the final cost at between Shs 300 billion companies, ordinary faithful contributing and Shs 380 billion. 24/7, not because we don’t to the event’s activities at a loss. 3 A welcome to Uganda Pope Powerful Ministers , trust our government but According to the project designs, a Francis poster John Byabagambi, Mwesigwa Rukutana, because our government’s 1,000 seater church will be constructed, Isaac Musumba, John Nasasira, Sam three pavilions, a 100 car parking Kutesa had their names dragged in the track record does not give us lot, dormitories, museum, a gallery, headlines for alleged mismanagement of reason to trust it. offices, an ultra-sized walkway, among the funds. None was ever convicted and others. The entire project is expected to former vice president Gilbert Bukenya, cost $14 million (Shs36 billion). The ministers Sam Kutesa, John Nasasira and The ghost of CHOGM continues to hover redevelopment of the Uganda Martyrs Mwesigwa Rukutana were acquitted. over our hosting international guests. Shrine at , is expected to A probe commissioned by President As we host His Holiness, the country is cost Shs 50b, while that at Munyoyo is discovered that money walking on egg shells, our fingers are expected to cost Shs 23.5b. was lost in irregular procurement of crossed, hoping that the event will not It is these sums of money that give the CHOGM cars, road construction be clogged by scandal later, especially us reason to be vigilant and call upon and repairs, and renovation of now that the government has taken over the different stakeholders involved in Airport, among other ventures. To date the preparations and refurbishment of the the preparations and post papal visit these ministers are still at large. Catholic Martyrs Shrines at Namugongo and Munyonyo. It is a responsibility CONTINUES TO PAGE 2 1 Issue 33, November 2015 BLACK MONDAY Honor the Pope with a Theft Free Visit FROM PG 1 activities increased. If all goes per plan, we shall Media reports had indicated there was such as the ongoing refurbishment of the be able to reap from the double benefit a plot by her enemies to plant people to shrines, to put country first and desist of the redevelopment, including solving corrupt the procurement so her name from letting the CHOGM ghost haunt us. the puzzle of the swelling numbers and could be dragged in the mud. She instead The shrines come with immense tourism. Countries like Israel, Saudi got opposition legislators with impeccable economic benefits that are associated Arabia and Italy, which are home to some integrity records to handle the slippery with any place of heritage. Mecca gets of the famous faith locations, are already aspects of the conference’s finances. That 4,000,000 (four million) pilgrims, who raking in millions annually from “faith- way the IPU went scandal free. It took pay $300 each, annually. Israel collects based tourism.” extra care on the part of the organisers. $2bn (two billion dollars) from the Let us take lessons from speaker of It will take extra care from us all, for tourists who visit Bethlehem. The site parliament Rebecca Kadaga who hosted the Papal visit not to get tainted by the at Namugongo currently attracts up to 1 the Inter Parliamentary Union conference CHOGM ghosts. million pilgrims every June 3, yet if they and to avoid a repeat of CHOGM ensured are redeveloped, this capacity could be strict scrutiny of the procurement process. By Ivan Okuda A set of statues depicting the torching of the Uganda martyrs.

in previous months, millions of shillings die while giving birth and millions of have been collected from the poverty- our children do not celebrate their fifth stricken Ugandans because of your coming. birthday. Many people still die of curable Dear Pope Francis The buzz around your visit is so loud and and avoidable diseases. We do not even sickening. At my church in Kiwatule, a have enough drugs for our brethren am taking the risk of being months without receiving their gratuity. Kampala suburb, the chief executive officer suffering from HIV/Aids. And all this is excommunicated from the Catholic I suppose some of their money is being of the Vision Group, Robert Kabushenga, because our country is very poor. Church by writing to you. used to prepare for your coming. Many was there on Sunday October 25, selling Holy Father, I have heard that you are IBut I am ready to take the chance rather Ugandans cannot afford a decent meal but tickets for the charity walk. He also visited very humble and have continuously and than be a hypocrite. I believe that like they are sacrificing in order to give you a several churches, including Christ the King tirelessly worked for the wellbeing of the the poor Uganda martyrs – who you will grand welcome. in Kampala. poor. And that you are also committed to commemorate this month – did, the truth That is what we do in Africa. And as for Two days later, I met him again with his bridging the gap between people of various must be told. Ugandans, we are very hospitable people. grand army of collectors in Bukalango, backgrounds, classes, beliefs and faiths I woke up on October 31, 2015 ready We bathe, wash our linen and clean up a prayer retreat centre in Wakiso district, through peaceful talks. to join other Ugandans in a charity walk when we expect visitors. We do not want where he raised over Shs 4m. You have publicly refused most luxuries that was organised by the Vision Group to them to think that we are bad and poor Many Ugandans want the best offered to a pope and, instead, lived a raise funds for your three-day visit later this people. and memorable papal visit, but the simple and humble lifestyle. I admire your month. We are sleeping hungry and surrendering extravagance of the preparations, amidst work of promoting peace, supporting the You are the third pope visiting Uganda the few pennies we have to our bishops the biting poverty and hardships faced by poor and denouncing human trafficking. in my lifetime and I’m so eager to witness preparing for your visit, to save our African most of them, is unbearable. Forgive us, Holy Father. Here in Uganda, the occasion. Pope Paul VI came in 1969, face. As a good Catholic, I have made my This is why I have decided not to we have a silent policy of sending young just before my fourth birthday. Then St contribution towards this cause. participate in any other fundraising people to work as slaves in other countries, Pope John Paul II visited when I had just I am happy to even do more for the activities for your visit, because I know it is because there are no jobs back home. graduated from university. At the time, I Church. I bought the tickets for the charity against your principles. I will put my hard- You have previously criticized the was very enthusiastic about the great life walk, for myself and my family. We were earned money to other deserving causes, “cult of money” that is driving the global ahead of me. all excited about the walk. but not to the pompous ventures being financial system. In your own words, Now you are coming when I am so Then, all of a sudden, an inner voice told undertaken. you have asserted that “the greatness of a worried about the future of my country. We me that this was all hypocrisy. The voice Holy Father, things are bad here. I recall society is found in the ways it treats those are having general elections next year and said that instead of walking, I should write your words that your people back home most in need; those who have nothing apart there is a lot of tension. to you. Holy Father, I hope you understand in Argentina are poor and you are one of from their poverty.” Close to two million crime preventers my predicament. Forgive me but I cannot them. Definitely, we must be poorer than You said that inequality fuels violence. have been trained to ‘deal’ with all go against my conscience. your people. Can you imagine that the total That is Uganda for you. those that will oppose President Yoweri I know that all the money being raised bill for the renovation of the Namugongo Forgive me, Father, if I have sinned for Museveni, your host. Many people are from the charity walk will be used to Catholic Martyrs shrine alone is at Shs 50 writing to you. living in constant fear of being arrested and refurbish the Namugongo and Munyonyo bn, which is over $12.5m! Just imagine the tortured for expressing their political views. Martyrs shrines. I’m very proud of the entire cost of your visit to us. Your Humble Servant, Pray for us, dear Father. fantastic work being done there. In all the By the way, I had forgotten to tell Sheilla Kawamara Mishambi Thousands of pensioners have spent churches where I have attended Holy Mass you that thousands of Ugandan mothers

2 A woman affiliated with the Forum for Democratic Change being arrested by Uganda police officers early last month as she was enroute to Rukungiri to participate in Dr Kizza Besigye’s rally. BLACK MONDAY Issue 33, November 2015 Welcome to Uganda Pope Francis

Poverty in the world is a scandal. In a world where there is so much wealth, so many resources to feed everyone, it is unfathomable that there are so many hungry children, that there are so many children without an education, so many poor persons.” POPE FRANCIS

3 BLACK MONDAY Issue 33, November 2015

SUMMARY OF CORRUPTION SCANDALS TO LOOK BACK AT

2015 Katosi road construction 250 Billion

2015 Hoima-Tonya road construction SHS 109 Billion 2015 Parliamentary 25.4 Trillion budget scam 8 Billion LOST TO THEFT

2015 Kawempe-Kaffu road construction 250 Billion

2015 Kanoni- 2015 Sembabule road Entebbe-Zana construction road construction 18 Billion 350 Billion

What must we do to get our money back