The Independent Coalition: Manifesto

A Manifesto is an Outline of Promises -by a Political Party, Organization or Person Seeking Mandate.

The Independent Coalition (T.I.C) Is A Political Organization- Under Article 69(C) Of The Uganda Constitution- 1995; Which Brings Together All Democratic And Independent Minded Political Leaders- Aspiring For Public Office. It Was Founded In September 2015, By A Total Of 23 Presidential Aspirants. Their Names &Responsibilities Are Recorded In The Memorandum Of Understanding, They All Signed.

BACK GROUND TO THE FORMATION- OF THE INDEPENDENT COALITION (T.I.C)

The Coalition was founded by Presidential Aspirants- on 14^th/09/2015. After it emerged that, -a total of(49) forty-ninePresidential Aspirants- had all picked nomination forms, expecting to run for president in the year 2015/2016. That was when one of the aspirants, Mr. Ntege Williams Kyuma-kyayesu, -came up with the idea of forming a coalition. To which, many aspirants were attracted and The Independent Coalition- was born. The first members of the Coalition were those who had agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding to work together and to front a single candidate for the presidential race. Mr. Elton Joseph Mabirizi was elected to represent the team. However, after nominations, other independent candidates joined the coalition- including a woman candidate in the names of Kyalya Waluube faith Maureen. Then it was agreed that the two candidates run joint rallies and the winner becomes President while the other would automatically become vice president.

VISION
An all inclusive participatorydemocratic representative system, in this country (locally) and internationally -beyond National borders

MISSION
To establish a system of Political Representation based on Trade Unions and Professional Institutions.

ANALYSIS OF UGANDA’S PROBLEMS
Uganda’s problem can be traced back to ideological disorientation since Independence. The following are signs of ideological disorientation. Read the analysis in the 3^rd chapter of this manifesto.

THE IDEOLOGY FOR THE INDEPENDENT COALITION (T.I.C)

Our Ideology is Direct Democratic- Institutional Representation.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Definitions.
2. Promises
3. T.I.C ideological advantages
4. Benefits of trade unions and professional representation
5. Reducing the cost of education and health services
6. Need for more health inspectors
7. Fighting terrorism and cyber criminals
8. Tackling unemployment and the land question
9. Acceptance, not fragmentation of ownership
10. A public sector led economy
11. Cutting state house expenditure
12. Entrepreneurship with strong institutions
13. Attaining social justice
14. Sectarianism includes Nationalism
15. Peace is not security
16. Foreign policy disorientation
17. Power belongs to which people?
18. Uganda’s problem is ideological
19. Income
20. Military take in 2 years.
21. Key strategies and target group
22. Future prospects, budget and conclusion.

PROMISES / PLEDGES OF THE INDEPENDENT COALITION TO THE VOTERS

• When we take power, we shall form a second parliamentary wing. A parliament of Trade Unions and Professional Institutions’ Representatives- as the only solution to most challenges today. The political wing, which already exists; including the number of ministers- will be reduced to districts or regional representatives because,-they are very many- but serving the same purpose. The technical wing of parliament will be made more accountable to the voters- through direct- democratically elected representatives, not those selected by the President.

• Fix a maximum wage. Where by; -we shall reduce (cut down to less than 30million Uganda shillings) on the salaries / wages of those big shots in government. This will enable us to spare some money for the teachers, police and medical workers. Why should some people get 45m, 60, 97m, while others are getting less than 150, 000 Uganda shillings but go for three months- without pay. All candidates talk of increasing salaries- without showing where they will get money to do so. We know Uganda is a poor country but some few people are very rich while the rest are poor. If they talk of increasing salaries, while clearly forgetting the effects of inflation, they lie to the people.

• Ensure regional balance through regional governments. Also- sectorial, intra sectorial, personal and inter personal balances- over time. For example, so many people’s wealth changes with change in regimes. This will be avoided by our government.

• Our government will prioritize Agriculture, Scientific Research, Education and health.

• Takeup sports as a commercial and money making business, heavily supported by the state.

• We shall set a strong welfare system for the disadvantaged, women, youths, girls and PWDs.

• We shall reduce the tax(VAT) on people working under cooperative unions and associations.

• We shall reduce the cost of electricity, and removemonthly service fee on power.

• Our government will offer free land titles- to all Bibanja owners, without paying for them.

• We shall restore term limits. We shall restore presidential terms & set parliamentary limits to.

• We shall monitor the use of funds, key personnel, contracts & budgets- through trade Unions and ProfessionalRepresentatives.

• Reduce the size of cabinet and the number of constituencies in Uganda, remove RDCs & RCCs.

• Prosecute the corrupt and force them to return stolen government money

• We shall establish buffer funds and buffer stocks to stabilize prices of Agricultural products.

• We shall ensure that a seating president hands over to the institution of judiciary, six months before the end of his term, if he- intents to seek for a third term of office.

• We shall reduce the nomination fees for presidential aspirants to 3 millions none refundable fee and 300, 000/= for parliamentary candidates.

• Cabinet ministers must be appointed from among professional representatives in parliament.

• Successfully Nominated Presidential Candidates, -will automatically become members of parliament for that term of office.

• Trade union and professional representatives will vet all contracts of foreign investors, to ensure that terms in the contract favor local workers, before they are signed.

• Restructuring of public service must be done by democratically elected technical representatives and trade unions.

• Ideological disorientation will be corrected by this ideology of institutional representation.

T.I.C- IDEOLOGICAL ADVANTAGE OVER OTHER POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS AND POLITICAL PARTIES

We have the correct ideology- of Institutional Representationthatincludes professional participation in direct electoral democracy. Politicalparties do not participatein professional &much needed research. For example: - Our Representation can help us to

Improve social service delivery- directly
Asses the performance of professional state institutions

Protect copyright and intellectual property rights laws.

Reduce the quality of fake products on the market
Participate in environmental protection/ preservation.

Help in quickening the process of enacting laws in parliament to avoid delays.

Restore term limits, peacefully, -through professionals and technical people

Improve the Education system and Healthy sectors
Enhance International Collaboration, Research and Trade

Prevent civil strife and wars among tribes and Nations

Fight modern day vices like; cyber crimes, illegal migrants and terrorism.

Reduce the need for proximity to the presidency- in order to get things done

Trade Unions will also create jobs through apprenticeship.

Professionals and technical people will attract foreign investments to our country.

Cooperative union banks will be revived and SAACOs based on job circles in key sectors.

Technical unions will review the curriculum and improve on the education system

To deal with unemployment, requires a system of Education- called apprenticeship, not internship.

Political parties promises but fail do to indirect delivery of bureaucratic procedures.

Other advantages- of the T.I.C ideology, in democratic governance; are listed below.

Benefits/Aims of Trade Unions and Direct Professional Institutions Representation- in Democracy

1. Such representation will stop the tendency of seeking proximity to the President, for solutions.
2. It will offer an alternative dispute resolution platform, form most disputes- to end peacefully.
3. To avoid the two extremes of -arrogant entitlement and justified resentment, causing wars.
4. Will improve on the quality of debates in parliament, especially on the sub-committees.
5. Will increase the level of attendance and participation of parliamentarians beyond the plenary.
6. Enable the right representatives to emerge thru their professions, even without using cash.
7. Ensure a shift from pseudo- democracy of hooliganism to issue based- progressive politics.
8. Stamp out violence, from the electoral process and the system of representation in Uganda.
9. Eliminate the politics of descent, based on Tribalism, Nationalism, Religion and Sex Orientation.
10. Ensure social justice- in under taking the process of socio political & economic transformation.
11. Effective way of increasing household incomes- quid pro quo earnings to workers, not Subs.
12. The best way of reducing poverty and unemployment- through sector by sector growth.
13. Reducing the income gaps between individuals, sectors and regions of the country.
14. Bridging the generation gap which has created disenfranchised youth groups in the country.
15. Create a more inclusive style of representation, without discrimination based on age or gender.
16. Will inculcate discipline, ethics & professionalism among workers- hence deal with moral decay.
17. More effective way of fighting Terrorism and Cyber criminal who take adv. of weak institutions.
18. Effectively monitor private individuals in their enterprising spirit, to save us of catastrophism.
19. Will rebuild semi-autonomous institutions for all, instead of building personal empires.
20. Reduces the level of unhealthy -executive patronage over working state organs & institutions.
21. Integration and collaboration with foreign institutions in research and information sharing.
22. Provide checks and balances in parliamentary deliberations, decisions and investigations.
23. Will reduce on the losses incurred by parliament due to poor and unprofessional decisions.
24. Fight corruption and moral degeneration which have led to counterfeit & fake things.
25. Save on the precious time spent by parliament- to deliberate on technical issues without skills.
26. Shift from casino politics of commercialized leadership to issue and policy based leadership.
27. Will reduce on piracy and strengthen genuine copy right laws & intellectual property rights.
28. Will improve on service delivery, by involving the implementers in the monitoring process.
29. Will reduce on the administrative costs in implementation by reducing on bureaucracy.
30. Will provide a constant communication channel with government and workers.
31. Will constantly revise the wage structures according to the market conditions and cost of life.
32. Will monitor the conditions of workers and their health while at work.
33. It has ability to embrace Technology progress- in development, locally and internationally.
34. Effective service delivery to all sectors of society-beyond personal gain.
35. Promote diplomacy in conflict resolution, avoiding strikes with its bad consequences.
36. Restore credibility in the electoral process and system of representation.
37. Unions will force landlords to reduce the cost of renting the arcades in Kampala & other places.
38. Effective way to identify, orientate and develop- new political leadership outside the army.

All democratically stable countries have an organized worker’s forum, which effects accountability.

REDUCING THE COST OF EDUCATIONAL AND HEALTH SERVICES

Our approach to- reducing the cost of education and health services, -will be as follows.

We shall start by reducing the cost of higher education.

1. Require all higher institutions of learning to publish their curriculum syllabus, periodic time takes, notes and new research work; on National information hub,-or websites- for the public.
2. Allow all Ugandans, who need qualifications to apply on line and seat periodic examinations with those who attend; without attending- as a requirement from applicants.
3. Set and mark examinations twoto three times- a year. To enable people to redo, qualify and if not possible change courses- without wasting time in school.
4. Issue qualification certificates to under age applicants- who pass exams before attaining class age; this will reduce the cost of higher education.

For lower basic education, we shall advocate for home schools, -where qualified teachers- are allowed and licensed- to teach in small facilities, like a family setting, near the homes of their pupils. This will enable teachers to establish a closer understanding with the child’s family and reduce on the feeding, accommodation and transport needs- of both the teacher and pupils- while at school.

Other ways of reducing the cost of health and education, include using telephone and computer applications- to serve both purposes, for those people who are in far away places –where these services cannot be accessed.

NEED FOR MORE HEALTH INSPECTORS, NOT MEDICAL DOCTORS

Many politicians and contestants promise to improve health services, by pledging more drugs in our sick hospitals and many more doctors. However; if you ask them, which drugs- are missing? They tell you- all what is needed. This has been going on, while drugs expire in our medical stores. Wedo not need drugs or doctors, all the time.All Ugandan politicians should ask the professionals, to talk out. People should be in position to visit doctors for check up, when they are not sick at all. To start with; we need a more health life and to stay away from-drugs and medical condition- doctors as far as we can. Uganda needs health inspectors, more than medical doctors. A health condition can lead to a medical condition, -depending on the approach used.

Our government, -will make sure there is a qualified health inspector in every parish. To do this, our government will build at least five more schools of hygiene –in Uganda, distributed evenly, in all regions. Every region will have a school for health inspectors, by the end of five years.Healthy services will further be strengthened by elected professional representation. Training doctors is not just expensive but maintaining them, without a voice, -is just not working out- for us. Past governments have spent a lot on training doctors who end up in other countries where they are well paid. But a health population starts with a health environment, which increases productivity &revenue. Without health inspectors, therefore; we are never able- to sustain specialized- professionals, at home.

FIGHTING TERRORISM AND CYBER CRIMES
There is no better ideology- to fight terrorists and cyber criminals except our ideology of institutional representation. Ideology must be used to fight ideology. All military forces are wasting a lot of resources to fight terrorism, thinking it’s a war for territory. They will be shocked to discover that even our own brothers- are turning into terrorists and cyber criminals, without us knowing. These two vices work and develop- together. Find out how it develops, before you assume, its very far away from your family or country. The problem is that, when our black brothers and white people commit- acts of terrorism, -we term it differently- from the Arabs. This is the ideological disorientation, which must be fought. Terrorism and cyber criminals- are not fighting for or limited to geographical territories. They are with us all over the world. Ideas must fight them.

Cyber criminals are technical people, who are- in most cases, former employees that were let down by the system. An exploitative- system of employment and political representation, gives rise to cyber criminals. They are used and laid off- by their employers, -that is the reason they work hard to fail them & to steal from anywhere. Once they fall out of the system, they are on their own and do not belong to any family of workers, that is how they end up misbehaving. Our government will not allow employers to exploit workers, without signing appointment letters. Also, workers in all sectors, most especially- those involved in scientific research; will have to belong to a recognized unions, -which can trace their behavior, even after they retire from work.

TACKLING UNEMPLOYMENT AND THE LAND QUESTION
Analyzing the origin of Unemployment
If you read the Quran and the Bible, you will not find that word- Unemployment; because it is a new word. The word first came into use- recently, mainly after the abolition of slave trade- less than 200 years ago. Unemployment is a humble way of denial of the right to belong. If they call you unemployed, -they just mean that; you do not belong- to us. The haves. I mean Involuntary Unemployment- here, because those who are not willing to work, when jobs are available, should not be our focus- when the majority are not able to find work- at the prevailing wage rate- in the job market.

Denial of the right to belong- Unemployment, started after slave trade was abolished and the former slaves were set free- but not allowed to continue working freely on the pieces of land that belonged to their former slave masters. Many of those who moved around- looking for free land to (occupy) work on- failed and came back into self enslavement. They continued to work for free- as long as they got what to eat, and no longer called slaves. However; some free slaves- especially those who lived near by the sea or rivers, took off with the boats of their former slave masters and went far away. They went to places- where they found land and never became unemployed. Only those people- who were landless- were called unemployed.

Today, it has become a fashion; with all sorts of unemployment and under employment. Almost, each of us is happy to be called unemployed- in some style. Whoever has land should not be- unemployed, because he receives rent form land -hire. Land, as a factor of production; does not have hands to receive rent, its reward. It is the land owner who takes it and may be the government- through taxes. People without land have not just increased but the tendency of denial- has more than exceeded the time of slave trade- abolition. Those who own land should accept (allow) those without land- to work as brothers and share the output fairly. This is the sense of denial we need to fight, with acceptance. It even goes ahead, to include- owners of production units, factories and new companies. They should not deny their social responsibility- to society, because they indirectly benefit from the society.

Our government will be able to create this environment and to manage the relationship between land owners and land lords. By controlling the amount of rent paid to the land owners and owners of buildings in towns, so that they do not exploit the poor tenants and unemployed youths. This situation is very bad in Kampala. Some arcades are too expensive and rented in dollars- while government looks on. Government should also remove the taxes levied on landlords, to enable them reduce the amount of rent charged from the tenants. The relationship between land lords and tenants has been changing since the abolition of slave trade. This will be improved to tackle unemployment.

In the native sense, a landless person was the one meant to be unemployed. The landlord receives another form of reward from land- called rent. However, in Uganda, M7’s government policy on land has made every person land less, until you get a land tittle- card. This has increased unemployment in two ways.

1. He says whoever stays on land for 10 years, cannot be easily sent way, causing land grabbing.

1. The people who own land without land titles have no land- because the land title is another way of buying own land- from government.

To get a land tittle, is another trick of making you pay- to own your land. Otherwise the service is very expensive, to the disadvantaged poor land owners. Land tittles are sources of government revenue from land owners. And rent (tax) is another way of forcing poor people to sell their properties to the rich, who can pay taxes.

ACCEPTANCE, NOT FRAGMENTATION OF OWNERSHIP
To solve the problem/challenge of Unemployment, we need acceptance more than land ownership. Jesus commended the unfaithful manager in Luke 16:4, who chose to belong to a union of his former workmates, after he lost his job. He knew what to do, but many people do not know what to do- when they lose a job. We need to belong to a circle of workers- who are willing to accept us into their circles- than to own isolated pieces of land by the river side. Other people should be willing to receive you, when you fail to have a job. It makes more sense than to isolate yourself like a bird on an island. They can fix you- later, if they do not deny you a right to belong. This goes beyond networking.

The world is becoming more isolated and we need to build inter woven unions – of workers, to foster togetherness and care, in the event of joblessness. Much as there are many networks- on the social media; they tend to exclude and even exploit those who get connected on them. Very few, help the unemployed or those who get connected. We need acceptance by the multi national co-operations- not as mere customers who are there to be exploited but as partners in business. We should be joint owners- as union members, rather than own parallel smaller companies or smaller pieces of land.

A PUBLIC SECTOR LED ECONOMY
For the past 30 years or more, our leaders have been pursuing a private sector led economic strategy- in development. That is how they ended up selling all the government Para state bodies- cheaply. They assumed it would create more jobs, redistribute wealth and stimulate hard work leading to development. The evidence recorded, shows however that,-apart from lessening responsibility on the part of government, this strategy has failed to bring about- equitable income and resource/ wealth distribution, in the process of social economic transformation. It is also true that; those who advocate for a widening private sector,-have themselves- refused to leave public offices and are trying to defy all attempts to remove them. They are either afraid of starting to pay taxes to other collectors or- silently acknowledge the heavy price, it requires- to succeed without government subsidization. Our government will lead the private sector to do business, -through organizing Trade Unions and also reducing on the taxes levied on starting group entrepreneurs- in recognized areas of business. When people bring new ideas, the second thing –you hear, is asking for funds, -everywhere in the world. This is why, -governments should go back to a public sector led economic strategy to develop.

CUTTING STATE HOUSE EXPENDITURE TO BACKSIDE AGENCIES AND COMMISSIONS

To reduce state house expenditure on sponsorship is impossible without technical representation. Through our government, state house sponsorship will be channeled back to the ministry of education and sports. This will reduce on the tendency to discriminate beneficiaries, basing on tribal and regional grounds. Presidential pledges will be redirected to the state institutions that fall in the docket of the promise. Promising to reduce public expenditure without directly elected trade union and professional institutions representatives is impossible. Back side agencies and commissions of the state must be reduced, if line ministries are to be developed.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP WITH STRONG INFRASTRUCTURE- TO SUPPORT GROWTH

There are many projects which do not grow, in this country; because- there are no supportive social infrastructures, to help in their development. As a result, many of them start and die before they mature. Uganda is a country, with the highest number of individual entrepreneurs in the world. If you visit any place in Uganda, you will find each person- doing some business enterprise, as an individual. They are struggling to borrow money and invest, each- as a person. The interest rate is very high and full employment is an impossible dream. To invest in multiple small businesses when supportive basic systems are personalized and poorly managed, increases the rate of exploitation. It also leads to the widening of the income and wealth gap, as those in authority build empires from taxing the rest. The next government should unite most of these small business units- and reduce on their taxes. Group then as institutions- with representation, then- grant them a united voice to ensure that they are big. This is the change we need.

ATTAINING SOCIAL JUSTICE IN SOCIAL ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION

The ideology of individual merit, -cannot attain social justice- in social economic transformation. That is the reason why-our ideology of institutional representation should be adopted in the process of social economic transformation. The virtues of freedom and peace, equality before the law (which includes the presumption of innocence before trial in a recognized court of jurisdiction, presided over by a competent and well qualified Judge, with freedom to access bail, -these civil liberties of adult suffrage, tranquility and self determination; add much more to life- than prosperity and income equity. Our government will respect these virtues, beyond increasing -bank account figures or income per capita.

When we say Africa lacks social infrastructure, it does not mean the absence of roads, hospitals, schools, bridges and arcades; these things existed long before any of us. But the manner, in which they are developed and supplied, lacks the aspect of social justice. To an extent that they are tagged with particular individual’s names and these are the ones who benefit more from social capital. If professional representation is neglected, then banks will continue stealing people. Buildings will kill people while police is still investigating into UNRA, schools, hospitals, insurance; but nothing will come out. The end will be what was in Soviet Union, Libya, Tunisia, Egypt and Somalia; where all public structures were destroyed, because of lacking social justice.

SECTERIANISM INCLUDES NATIONALISM
Nationalism is also sectarianism at a higher level of boundaries. You have heard of M7 fighting sectarianism, -while taking it to mean religious sects, tribes and other small segregated groups. However, Nationalism is a system of world order, which breeds disorder. The people who criticize tribalism and call themselves Nationalists, have never heard of xenophobia. Other Africans were crying to South Africans, asking them to treat them as fellow Africans. What about the whites, who are with us here- in Africa? How do you want them to be treated? I have been in South Sudan, and I know how it hurts to be called a foreigner.

That is when I resolved to fight Nationalism- with all my life. People should not be employed or treated differently- in the process of service delivery, because of belonging to a different Nation, tribe, political party or religion. I have heard people in Juba, saying- “my tribe is South Sudan” in a struggle to build a spirit of Nationalism. Many have not only been discriminated but even killed. If I say do not be tribal, I do not take away your tribe. In the same way, we should just retain a historical understanding of our National ancestry, -as Ugandans, but accept to integrate with other economies. We cannot pursue integration while promoting the sectarianism and segregation- in the market- that comes with strong Nationalism. We need people who offer services to us and our families, not their nations- as long as they are law abiding workers; let us receive them.

PEACE IS NOT SECURITY.
Unity, love and peace; are virtues that come from inside. Security comes from outside. In broader terms, peace does not mean the absence of war, and when peace (that comes from the inside wellbeing of a person) increases; outside security- reduces and safety is more assured. However, when the peace- from inside, reduces; a feeling of insecurity sets in and the cost of security increases. The cost of security has greatly increased in Uganda, because peace has vanished. There is no peace, because crime, gambling and poverty -are on the rise. People may not have peace, but not pick guns- to threaten security. At a higher level of oppression, however; people are forced into a fight for peace and freedom. They kill for life and hate for love. Rebels too, -rebel and cause insecurity to regain their own security and peace.

Therefore, it does not make sense to ask people who are distressed or at war, -to give peace a chance. They love peace- so much to an extent of fighting for it, with all their resources, time and give up lives.

People are changed by the conditions they are subjected to. No body is born a terrorist or cyber criminal. No person is born a rebel or a violent criminal. France is waking up to the bitter fact that, their own children- are terrorists. Uganda will soon be hit by Ugandans who have been subjected to extreme disenfranchisement, -especially those returning from South Sudan. Be warned, -finally- even if the security budget increases one hundred times higher than the total budget, if things continue as they seem to be going; there is no escape route- from terrorism, cyber crimes and iron bar hit men. There is no peace, but there is a lot of external security with expensive gadgets, war planes and weapons. Uganda is not safe until the aspect of professional representation is expedited.

FOREIGN POLICY DISORIENTATION
The NRM regime has maintained an ideologically- disoriented foreign policy. The government has, over the past 30 years; failed to pursue a peaceful diplomatic approach to conflict resolution with the neighboring countries. Yet our National anthem, says; Uganda shall live in peace and friendship with all our neighbors. However; after pursuing an aggressive policy, of deploying troops selfishly- without any approval from parliament, M7’s government decided to increase the visa charges on people from South Sudan- in an attempt to keep them outside this country. This is the level of friendship- M7’s – government, has developed with the government and people of South Sudan. Othercountries charge 50 dollars but our friendly governments (100 dollars) -discriminatively and kill each other off, economically.

Our technical government will ensure peace and stability, through diplomatic means, to promote trade and social friendship with all our neighbors. No foreign deployment of troupes will be done, without the approval of parliament and all those victims who died in war outside this country- because illegal deployments- made by M7, will be compensated twice as much as those who die while protecting our National borders.

Our technical governmentwill reduce the VISA charges to 10 dollars, from citizens of other neighboring states, like South Sudan, -which are not part of the East African community. This will improve on the trade and friendship claims that have existed for years- yet exploitative and hash to the local people. Goods passing through our territory will be taxed from one entry point and sealed to reduce on delays.

Our technical government will promote the ideology of direct democratic institutional representation to all neighboring countries, starting with the EA community. This will reduce the level of militarization of politics to promote development.

Our government will advocate for the establishment of a technical wing of democratically elected representatives, from professional bodies and trade unions, -on the East African Legislative assembly.

Our foreign missions and embassies, -with be facilitated to search for jobs, recommend people for work and track our Ugandan citizens, who work in foreign countries- to ensure that they are doing jobs they applied for- or acceptable by the law. This will reduce the tendency for those who are tricked into illegal trade and human trafficking practices.

POWER BELONGS TO WHICH PEOPLE?
We must get tired of this rhetoric. “Power belongs to the people”. First, because there are so many types of power; so which exact power- belongs to the people? Secondly, even political power- is supposed to do different tasks, therefore; the power – which to do what? If it is power to vote and forget, what follows? Yes; it belongs to the people. But this to; is vague- because, even M7 is a person. This means that, -even if he takes away adult suffrage- in broad day light, ring fences key positions in the party and changes rules of the game- at half time; he still remains the number one person. He does not become an animal. Those people in government are all- people. We should not forget this fact. This is why you should listen to us, in “The Independent Coalition” for guidance and ideological clarity. We are convinced, to be the third force- without which, the future is not clear- Uganda.

You have heard leaders in the opposition- saying “power should go back to the people”-as if to insinuate that those people, in power- are not worthy enough- to be people. They may be horrible in their actions, yes! But- they are regarded as number one, number two or senior citizens. If any body knows that power belongs to the people, -by the way, it is M7 and his friends. They even go to the very bad people and call them. The ones dropped by the electorates. They give out money to people, some times in sacks. They use people- to accomplish their programs. At times, big people, big enough to be in parliament; are used- by M7. Now, -most leaders are campaigning to win the mandate of all our people. May be, power belongs to the bad people? However, every leader claims to talk for the people, not for themselves. But people are only used as raw materials in staging elections.

Real power does not belong to the voters- honestly. This is because, immediately after casting their votes- they give it all away and cannot influence, control or participate- in subsequent affairs, to direct or determine the dimension of events that follow. Therefore, apart from partly influencing the out come of the vote, not the whole process- by the way, they loose the power to change policies and to hold their leaders accountable, let alone removing them- for non performance. This is the real political power. Voters only count for numbers. They are there to be counted but not even to strike. The demonstration of people’s power is reduced to a cast vote which does not determine- outcomes. The political power of the people, -has reduced to the difference between a good vote and a bad one.

Real power belongs to the regulators. The politicians and their voters- have nominal power. However, to get things done, government uses real power and this power is with regulators not legislators. It is these regulators who direct the institutions of the state. The biggest challenge is that; these state institutions have been personalized by one man, -who micro-manages them, with a few individuals. It’s this individual’s regulators, who can hold you long and back; to fail you in your daily activities.

Those are the people who can stand in your day’s program and you can not go anywhere. The ones who can deny you a right to campaign, lawfully and even disqualify you do not apologize as on orders. The people who can confiscate your fish because it is pre-mature and later sell it to the market. The people who can demolish your houses, -because it was built in a wetland but later- sell the land to an investor. They can close a school where you invested lots of money, or close a clinic- because some one among them placed a needle in the rubbish or did not like your attire. They visit your hotel and eat food for free and when you demand for money- they pick up issues- with you to push you out of business. These are the ones who have real power, the rest have nominal power, if not electricity.

These are the people who must be held accountable by the voters. The only way of doing it, is by forming another parliament of Trade Unions & Professional Institutions- Democratically elected Representatives. This is the only solution to avoid a one man’s government, without going to Egypt. Let us sign a political contract with the regulators, so that we will be able- to hold them accountable. Without it we can continue to claim that power belongs to the people; with no significant change. This is the change we need. A Parliamentary wing, of Professional and technocrats, is the only solution.

Some opposition politicians want to say -power belongs to the people, so that people will take up power in their own hands to fight- the regime for them. One of them, -went to an extent of hiding in the trench, expecting the people to come out and fight for him, but he was dis appointed as they continued to arrest him and nothing was done to rescue him. Another one, advised the people to “Storm- the state house”- in millions, so that armed men will kill some of them, in broad day light. On the assurance that; the international community will see- the death toll and come to our rescue- to chase the dictator.Remember these are the very guys who went to the bush with M7 and caused our people to die in war, -claiming to be liberating them.Now, they again want people to die on the streets, -for them to get power- from M7. People should not be instigated to riot or demonstrate- because these main stream –opposition- leaders; do not have clear ideological plans to help people, regain their power. They want to sacrifice some of the people, as a strategy- for defiance.

Remember, in this case; defiance is not against one individual, -but disobeying all our brothers and sisters- who serve in these state institutions. Some of them are not happy about what is being done in this country but they have no solution. Here is the solution. Befriend them and advocate for their representation. No man can control institutions- which have political representatives- if they are democratically elected. The perfect example is the UPDF, which is well represented. Without such representation; the military will soon invade parliament and take power by force.

UGANDA’S PROBLEM, WHEN TRACED TO IDEOLOGICAL DISORIENTATION

The problem of Uganda has,here; been traced back to ideological disorientation.Below are some of the lead signs that prove ideological disorientation- in this country.

1. The number of presidential aspirants who picked nomination forms (49) shows a bad spirit of individualism, which has been a result of 30 years of nurturing, under the individual merit; as the ideology- for the National Resistance Movement (NRM). The number of registered political parties and organizations- is overwhelmingly high but with personal differences, not in ideology. The individuals who picked forms to run for MP primaries under the NRMO party- were 4000 yet the posts were 400 only.

1. The persistent problems of unemployment, poverty and income inequalities, big businessindebtedness and failure- like UCHUMI, banks and local companies; while the level of government tax revenue is increasing, -is a sign that the wrong ideology is being used to impoverish the poor people more- with time. The correct ideology would have developed Uganda at the same rate like Singapore- which was the ideal promised land- according to the president, who has been for the past 30 years.

1. The mash rooming -new businesses (emerging and collapsing) at infancy,is just an imaginable. In Uganda, each individual is doing something like an enterprise. Entrepreneurism is not bad, -as it shows that people are hard working, to fight unemployment or create jobs, but; the practice also reveals inability to work together, not only in politics but in trade & commerce. Ideology is very important in shaping people’s behaviors- not only in political socialization. With or without our knowledge, the political ideology largely determine behavior every where.

1. The number of churches and other religious sects, especially the Pentecostal beliefs, are a very big threat to the security of our communities and the future of our culture. I am myself a believer in church planting and a Pentecostal faithful, but the present scenario is not a result of Spiritual awakening; it’s a result of political ideological disorientation. I say this, because; most of the causes of these churches splitting, can be traced to the top leaders of the churches, also behaving like our politicians. They never want to resign or give way for the young blood to take office. They personalize the ministries and push off the people who worked with them to start.

1. The presence of many political analysts, commentators and elites on the media, who analyze by discussing individuals instead of issues, policies and programs that benefit all Ugandans, are a sign of ideological disorientation

1. The absence of robust leadership institutions in the country, outside these for the army and police force, to an extent that one man asked- where electoral commissioners are trained from? And nobody gave him an answer. Everybody can do anything and this is what has been going on because of ideological disorientation.

1. NAADS operationalization disorientation. This program has been expanded beyond the limits of the original set objectives. It now has to include Agriculture, Education, Defense and Health sectors. Some people think the NRM manifesto is voluminous, but to include outlines of policy documents from all these ministries, plus other things, -the document is meant to be three times bigger. This is the only way forward for this program to succeed, even if it has diverted all funds from, accountable, line ministries. Such operations are a result of ideological disorientation. Imagine if all those monies were sent to the professional sectors, how much would be accomplished by this time.

1. The declaration by one candidate, that he will not hand over when defeated, claiming that no other person has a vision; is ideological disorientation. If after such a long time, no leaders are seen as credible enough, to avoid a power vacuum, -who are trustable and can take over; this is unfortunate and not something- to laugh about. Good leaders should be able to stand up, make their contributions and sit down to allow other people to make their own contributions- peacefully. Handing over is normal and not a crime. Any attempt to resist a peaceful move, to transfer power; is ideological disorientation.

1. Wealth can not be understood, without mentioning Adam smith. The wealth of Nations is the-value of human and natural resources- at a given point in time. Wealth creation is value addition or accumulation, to the human and other resources available. It, therefore;does not start with the supply of seeds and pigs to the people. It starts with, above all things, improving the quality of lives of the human resources- through a robust and higher quality education; plus improving the quality of health services, before thinking of Agricultural inputs and animals. When the quality of human resource is improved, through technological advancement, higher education, research and modern health services; our government will not need to supply seeds or pigs, -because the people will create wealth by themselves. Jumping this queue, of the above order, as if everything is okay, except wealth; is ideological disorientation.

1. The military operation, wealthcreation which is presented in a five years’ manifesto, must end in a full military take over. No wealth creation operation, can take five years. Unless it is a continuation of another failed promise,like prosperity for all. It must continue beyond that five years term, -ending into a military take over. Therefore, this is not just ironical, but the worstideological disorientation, for an army to move from defense- where they are employed; to Agricultural training for two weeks, into construction -training for a little time. How will they be paid and what will the professional engineers and Agriculturalists do?This is a very bad sign of undeniable disorientation–which will end in a military takeover unless representation to the house is changed to professional and democratic representation, immediately.

1. Household income is a vague phrase, basically used on false assumption of no government intervention, in a two sector economy. If a government comes in, to raise household income, then it is ideological disorientation. As in a three or four sector, -open economy; consumption (C) includes all spending by the business community, firms, government agencies, foreigners and private individuals. Y = C+I+G+(X-M). Government does not control the income flows into the households, because there is no specifically defined households- to deal with. Other members of the, would be- households, have companies and firms, while others work with government and foreign entities. Any attempt to define a household, for purposes of implementing a program; that leaves out “workers”,is vague ideological disorientation.

1. Middle income status is an ideological delusion, because the middle is not known & it is relative. The middle of which country. Where, will the middle of which country, be how much in 10years?

The middle income status is a big joke. Defining this middle is more important, since the last claim of prosperity for all. Is it true that now, after five years, every body is rich? The promise five years ago was prosperity for all. Ideological disorientation has made them forget it, I don’t.

INCOME
Income is the monetary reward to a factor of production (labor) for it’s participation in legal economic activity. Money received, without any exchange of a good or a service, non quid pro quo, is not income. It includes money from bribes, presidential envelopes, gifts and sacks of cash to Busoga, campaign finance or money to voters. We discourage all this because it causes poverty, much as ideologically disoriented people- do not understand it.

It may be in form of government subsidies, which must be recovered through taxation. When there is an increase in subsidies, according to the multiplier, it leads to a more than proportionate increase in taxes. Moreover, these taxes are evenly distributed indiscriminately from people who never received any subsidies form government. Government does not have a mechanism of discriminating, when taxing, to exempt people who never received anything. They are forced to pay more taxes in a fiscal attempt to recover more than the subsidies spent and used by wrong people. The people end up poor, especially where such money leaks out of the circular flow of income, through corruption.

Therefore, any attempt by government to improve people’s income, without thinking about workers, is ideological disorientation. This money should be rechanneled through the old line ministries of the state, where institutions are well regulated and money deductions or additions can be traced and taxed, for the subsidies to be recovered from the right people.

In the last ten years, government has lost more than 24trillions of the total budget, just through failure to track and recover subsidies expended through backside line channels. Unfortunately, such subsidies have been recovered from the poor, through taxation. That is how poverty has increased, amidstincreasing government revenue figures and accounts of corrupt individuals. Andrew should learn more of this, to understand how corruption makes people worse off, by compelling them to indirectly recover what one other individual took out of the circular flow and will not be traced for taxation, to recover that money.

Even if he invests that money, he does not offer free services to the community, from which he stole and which community, is bearing the burden of paying back the money. Corruption will force innocent people to pay twice for what was offered free of charge. Therefore, the best way for government to help the poor people, is by just reducing the taxes levied on the unions of the poor people- working together. Of course; government needs tax to provide services and finance its recurrent expenditure. However, if the very poor people are taxed continuously; government will end up buying pads and Mukene (food) for the poor- in future.

Our government, however; which has honest leaders, will correct the ideological disorientation of our country, by revising the original poverty alleviation programs, to ensure they are consistent with plans of prosperity for all people.If the original plans to prosper all people; are not followed up- with a correct ideology of institutional representation, the current disorientation, will end in a military take over in 2 years.

MILITARY TAKEOVER - IN 2 YEARS
If not by design, then it is by default; that President M7 regimehas- prepared this country for the military to take over- in two year’s time. He can try to deny this- one thousand times, but the ground is already set- to that effect. Nevertheless, am happy to inform you that, we are also prepared- in advance- to counter that move. This is because president M7 controls the Army but does not have any control over technology. Military weapons are becoming an outdated means of warfare. Scientific research, is delivering diverse programs that are more effective and proficient. The only thing I can say for now- is that, where there is a will, there is a way. For good or for bad, some one will have to decide.

Below are some of the signs to show that, -the military will take over- the running of this country, in about 2 years from now. Today is 14^th/11/2015.

1. Most of the elected Army representatives in parliament, -have not been supporting theidea of clinging on power. You are free to name them, without forgetting the general who died- in 2015. Their strong stance proves that, -all democratically- elected professional representatives are not easy to corrupt. People who represent professional bodies are people of virtue. Thatproblem, however; is being solved for M7- through the judiciary. To expel all Army representation is disaster for parliament, but to reduce them is not going to be a sustainable solution- either. Unless the ideology of institutional representation is expedited. People will open their eyes- after the 10^thparliament is completely surrounded.

1. He has tried hard to usurp all powers- from the state institutions and ordinary people. Even the power that was left, to cast their vote- in expression of their wishes, has been reduced through ring fencing positions and exclusive legislations. The power to control the electoral process and the power- to declare the correct results or to keep legitimate leaders in office. The only power still left for the people, is electric –power; which is also very expensive. But the (right) power to demonstrate has already- been taken by the militarized police force. So that very soon, there will be no difference in the operations of the police and the Army. At this rate, people will start dying on the streets, in fact; they have already started- during trial demonstrations- of people’s power.

1. One of our Presidential Candidates, Mr. Mabirizi Joseph, was placed in a car boot, by the military, recently. This is during this- M7’s regime, not Oboto or Amin. People have spoken all kind words, others laughing it off but to me, a person- from the inner circle, who knows Pr. Elton Joseph Mabirizi- very well; it was true. The man was kidnapped and all our members who were with him- have, since that night, -been sickly and sleepy. If the police were to testify to the truth, they would not defer. The military is taking over- slowly but surely.

1. Changing -the rules of the game, at half time; is another sign of a regime that has lost people’s mandate and is forging legitimacy. Staging elections under a partisan- stage manager, the electoral commission. They have disenfranchised many people, after elections in the mass party- NRM, were less than 30,000 in Kampala; out of the 3million who vote under adult suffrage. If Mr. Lukwago, the feared lawyer- turned Lord Mayor, decides to go to Parliament instead of going for Mayor’s position; then- it will still be- a replay of what happened at KCCA- a military police take over. Lukwago will never be able to speak in any government position, until M7 is defeated inside and outside of the law. Take it brother, -you are to face the army.

1. Ring fencing key positions in the NRM party, is not just about shielding self from defeat- but also a sign that he is preparing for a government- which is detached and not accountable to the voters. Bringing back old guards who have been rejected by the voters, in the primaries. These are people whose survival is totally dependent on his presence. This will become clear- again, when the NRM party looses the majority- seats in parliament; this will dictate a military take over- in 2yrs. Ugandans must know that, M7 cannot sustain an opposition majority- government without the junta. Not even for a single day, can he afford- to feel insecure.

1. The ideology of individual merit, does not tolerate strong political institutions. Success in any state institution- is a threat to the individual and is taken personally. That is why most people who perform according to the rules, are fight, demoted or laid off, by the top bosses. Such egos fear self to fail. The only option to prevent any threats, -is to prevent it thru: military takeover.

1. The military operation, wealth creation which is presented in a five years’ manifesto, must end in a full military take over. No wealth creation operation, can take five years. Unless it is a continuation of another failed promise, like prosperity for all. This is the promise I would sing “no change” for. But all of a sudden, the song changed to a military operation. It must continue beyond that five years term, to make any sense, -ending into a military take over. Therefore, this is not just ironical, but the worst ideological disorientation, for an army to move from defense- where they are employed; to Agricultural training for two weeks, into construction -training for a little time. How will they be paid and what will the professional engineers and Agriculturalists do? This is a very bad sign of undeniable disorientation -which will end in a military takeover,-unless representation to the house- is changed to professional and democratic representation, immediately.

1. The military police brutality towards opposition figures, plus the already trained NRM cadres and crime preventers, are a reserve force- in waiting, to be deployed when the son takes over. The training M7 has given to his son,-has left no questions about his future. The facilitation at his disposal, available surveillance- to take care of any eventualities during the “pope’s visit; are enough signs to reveal to us that, as it was- in Rwanda- in 1993, when the pope visited and genocide followed- in 1994; -so shall it be, in Uganda. To avert all these prophesies, we need to establish another Parliament; of democratically elected Institutional Representatives. To include the police, army, teachers, lawyers, medical workers, engineers, trade unions, tax drivers and bus drivers, etc. This is the change, we need. Short of that, you can close your eyes and pray aloud, but God has already sent me to warn you, do not say I never told you. Thanks.

KEY STRATEGIES
Participating in campaigns and political debates- like on television, radios and rallies

Participating in the elections staged by the ruling government in 2015-2016

Publishing paper work, books and documentaries in the print media

Establishing ideology and democracy learning institutions- to spread information

Visiting institutions of higher Education and organizing seminars to engage the electorates

Offering material motivational gifts, to those who answer questions- correctly

TARGET GROUP
All people including foreigners- who are not Ugandans- but are professionals or belong to a known trade union (association) of workers -dealing in legal and descent trade only. Illegal activities and sources of finance- will not be encouraged nor be registered for registration.

FUTURE PROSPECTS
We project this political Organization to grow beyond National borders and local geographical boundaries; because of a correct ideology. The world needs to adopt Direct Democratic Representation, of Professional Institutions and Trade Unions. Without such a strong political focus on workers, -the current challenges of terrorism, cyber crimes, unemployment, inflow of migrants, nationalistic -tribal and religious sectarianism, regional imbalances, social injustice, political oppression, prejudice, poverty and income disparities- cannot be addressed by political parties or political movements. Most political organizations like NRM-have a limited Nationalistic Approach, which jeopardizes some good intentions. Our coalition, fights exclusion from democratic participation, at higher levels; beyond Pan African racism

WORK PLAN AND BUDGET
For the current media campaigns, public debates, rallies and documentation. Request for our budget

CONCLUSION
Politicians can promise many things however, all the answers for now and in future; is in professional Institutions, because they control technological progress. That is how professionals and technocrats can be accountable to the voters.

PREPARED BYSIMBA ELISHA +256788675550, [email protected]

IDEOLOGY AND RESEARCH (T.I.C)