Israel Alex Ahumuza - NTV Uganda

Mixed messages from top China leaders feed speculation of Xi-Li split

Monday May 16 2022

Summary

By AFP

BEIJING (BLOOMBERG) - Premier Li Keqiang's warning of China's "complicated and grave" employment situation on Saturday (May 7) was particularly dire, even for someone who has sounded the alarm for months. But it was also notable for another reason: It did not mention President Xi Jinping's zero-Covid-19 strategy.

Just days earlier, the Politburo Standing Committee - on which both Mr Xi and Mr Li sit - warned China's citizens not to question Covid-19 control policies that have locked down cities across the country, including Shanghai. That statement, by contrast, contained no mention of the economy.

Besides confusing local officials who must find a way to eliminate Covid-19 and grow the economy, the mixed messages from China's most powerful leaders raise questions about whether there is a split at the top over the best way out of the pandemic.

Any space between Mr Xi and Mr Li is closely scrutinised for signs of a power struggle unfolding in China's opaque government. Once considered rivals for the top job, the pair continue to be seen as standard-bearers for separate strains in policymaking, with Mr Xi representing the more ideological wing and Mr Li associated with more technocratic tradition.

"It is probably a stretch to say that Xi and Li are personally at loggerheads, but their statements do represent divergent views within the system on Covid-19 and its impact," said Mr Richard McGregor, author of the The Party: The Secret World Of China's Communist Rulers. "China is reaching a point where the need for a genuine debate about whether the price being paid for further lockdowns is worth the economic damage."

With much of the world seeking to return to normal as vaccines proliferate and virus deaths recede, China is pressing ahead with zero Covid-19, increasingly equating dissent against the policy with subverting Mr Xi. Beijing has trumpeted the government's success in stopping outbreaks before they get out of hand as evidence of how China's model of governance is superior to US- or European-style democracy.

Still, the lockdown-dependent strategy has resulted in sustained social tensions in the country's largest city, Shanghai, where many of its 25 million people have been under restrictions for more than a month. Curbs in the capital Beijing have become progressively tighter in recent days.

While the Standing Committee last week made no mention of balancing Covid-19 controls with economic growth, Mr Li's statement emphasised unemployment, which climbed to 5.8 per cent in March, the highest since May 2020.

"Stabilising employment matters to people's livelihoods," Mr Li said, adding that doing so was also "a key support for the economy to operate within a reasonable range".

Joblessness is a topic Mr Li raises regularly, including in remarks at the National People's Congress in March when he announced he would not return as premier next year after a party reshuffle that will likely extend Mr Xi's rule. China's economy will see 16 million new urban jobseekers in 2022, and ensuring their employment will require greater policy support, Mr Li said.

Mr Andy Chen, a senior analyst with Beijing-based consultancy Trivium China, said the country's leaders do not see the policy priorities to be at odds. Mr Li, as premier and head of the government, is supposed to focus on the economy, as opposed to Mr Xi, who runs the party and therefore serves as its political leader.

"They see getting the Covid-19 outbreaks under control as the precondition and basis for maintaining a strong economic momentum," Mr Chen said. "So emphasising ensuring employment doesn't mean pandemic control is less of a priority. It is still the No. 1 priority."

Whether China's top leaders see their instructions as contradictory, they are creating dilemmas for local officials, who might find Covid-19 controls as literal barriers to keeping supply chains running smoothly.

After the Standing Committee's latest decree, "local governments lack a real incentive to dismantle roadblocks" installed on highways to prevent Covid-19 from spreading, Trivium said in its newsletter.

Besides holding different portfolios, Mr Xi and Mr Li hail from separate corners of the party elite. The President is the "princeling" son of a revolutionary while the Premier is a trained economist and seen as a protege of former president Hu Jintao. Mr Xi was chosen over Mr Li in 2007 as Mr Hu's successor. Potential successors for Mr Li's job include Mr Li Qiang, a former Xi secretary who is now in charge of the Shanghai lockdown effort.

Mr Li Keqiang "has always represented a strain of more technocratic policymaking in the system that today is very frustrated with how the commitment to zero Covid-19 has played out," said Mr Jordan Schneider, a senior analyst at Rhodium Group. "Li in his statement was trying to make room for cadres to take into consideration economic, as well as public health, considerations."

Mr Schneider said there has been a pattern of reactive messaging in recent months in which technocratic officials have been called on to give statements that reassure markets only for policies to fall short of expectations. "What may be going on is less a disagreement between the two and more that dovish policy messaging isn't followed up with dovish policy," he said.

A similar split emerged last year after efforts by local officials to meet Mr Xi's ambitious carbon goals were blamed for power shortages. Mr Li Keqiang later indicated the government would rethink the pace of China's energy transition, slamming a "one-size-fits-all" approach in shutting down energy-intensive projects or "campaign-style" carbon reduction.

Mr McGregor, the author of The Party, who is also a senior fellow for East Asia at the Lowy Institute in Sydney, said Mr Xi was trying to dictate the outcome of the debate over Covid-19 policy by suppressing one side of the argument.

He suggested watching to see if Mr Li becomes more vocal on policy issues as he prepares to leave the premier's job. "The key question is whether Li persists in speaking up in public about the economy," Mr McGregor said. "Then, we might have the real makings of a split."

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Ambassador Kakonge tips varsities on partnerships, collaborations

Monday May 16 2022

Ms Robie Kakonge, the Uganda Ambassador-designate to the United States receives a book from Ndejje University officials on Monday. Photo | Dan Wandera

Summary

Ms Kakonge said this while touring Ndejje University projects shortly before meeting the university’s top management on Monday. She advised the management to take advantage of the different unique features that are unmatched to attract partnerships and collaborations.

By Dan Wandera

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While university education in the Ugandan setting has tended to focus more on the furnishing part of the products for the job market, the need to maximize opportunities in areas of partnerships and collaborations targeting the global academia.

The fast-changing world comes with new opportunities that need to be tapped including the innovations, and advocacy programs that cut across most universities. The experiences and new ideas will be captured and possibly attract partnerships and collaborations when they are shared through the different means including writing proposals, Ms Robie Kakonge, the Uganda Ambassador-designate to the United States advises.

“People want to know the new and special product that you have as a university. You will be able to attract more scholarships and enter new partnerships and collaborations for the special and unique programs that are community-focused and generate interest for possible research,” she said.

Ms Kakonge said this while touring Ndejje University projects shortly before meeting the university’s top management on Monday. She advised the management to take advantage of the different unique features that are unmatched to attract partnerships and collaborations.

“The Americans will be interested in the special women programs at Ndejje, the community outreach projects. You are already excelling in areas of sports. You could design special interest areas and be able to defend the programs to attract partnerships and collaboration including the scholarships,” she said.

Ndejje University Vice-Chancellor Prof Eriabu Lugujjo believes that one of the many great opportunities that Ndejje has mastered as a private university is to explore the field of science in a country where science courses are expensive and not easy to sustain if not backed up by government resources.

“We are doing well in the area of science engineering with the standard laboratories already established to boost the research and innovation works by the students and lecturers. It is not by mistake that Ndejje University is hosting the East African University games that will attract over 70 universities from the region. Our sports facilities are shared with the community. Ndejje hill is a community of schools that make use of the university facilities,” he says.

[email protected]

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State House impersonator arrested as Museveni stops land eviction in Luweero

Monday May 16 2022

Police officers escort a suspected State House impersonator to awaiting police car in Bubuubi Village in Luwero District. PHOTO | DAN WANDERA

Summary

Ms Namayanja led a team of lawyers from the State House Land Directorate currently pitching camp in districts of Greater Luweero to help resolve some of land-related disputes that are a source of insecurity.

By Dan Wandera

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President Museveni has intervened and halted evictions on more than one square mile piece of land occupied by more than 600 sitting tenants at Bubuubi Village in Zirobwe Sub County, Luweero District.

Ms Mariam Namayanja, the private secretary of land matters over the weekend told stakeholders that she had been instructed to deliver the presidential directive to have all activities involving the sale and eviction of tenants on the disputed piece of land halted with immediate effect.

“President Museveni is aware of the unfortunate incidents that surround this particular land at Bubuubi. The President has instructed me to deliver the message halting the sale and eviction of tenants on this land until the wrangles among the landlords are resolved. The directive takes immediate effect,” she said.

Ms Namayanja led a team of lawyers from the State House Land Directorate currently pitching camp in districts of Greater Luweero to help resolve some of land-related disputes that are a source of insecurity.

READ: Fraud cited as 230 Luweero families face eviction from land

She revealed that the land in question has attracted different individuals that claim to be rightful owners which is not the case.

“We already have information that two parties fighting for this land are in courts of law. These are Ms Catty Nankanja Vs Nkuluze (The Kabaka) of Buganda, but the good side is that the Kabaka of Buganda through his Attorney has already clarified that he is not evicting any of the tenants on his land. Anybody evicting tenants on behalf of the Kabaka is doing it on his own,” she clarified.

Meanwhile, a man who has been impersonating a Statehouse staff and siding with one of the parties to execute the different evictions was arrested when he turned up for the meeting.

Mr Everest Muwanguzi who had a heap of papers including headed papers from the President’s office was identified by the residents as he quietly attended the meeting convened by Luweero Resident District Commissioner, Mr Richard Bwabye, and the Statehouse team at Bubuubi Village.

ALSO READ:Luweero authorities evict encroachers from wetlands

Mr Muwanguzi tried to defend himself by saying that he works for the “State House land desk”, but the State House team revealed that the State House has no land desk, but has a Land Directorate headed by Ms Gertrude Njuba. The suspect was whisked away and later handed over to the Luweero Police after angry residents threatened to lynch him.

About the contested land

The land originally belonged to the late Tito Ssekimaka in late 1940, but the clarity about who holds the true land title for the square mile of land that has more than 600 tenants remains unclear after different people continue to claim and sell portions of the land to different buyers causing mass evictions of the original bibanja holders.

The State House team has scheduled a meeting at Luweero District headquarters on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, where all parties that claim to be landlords will present original documents proving ownership.

“We shall meet all these people including Ms Catty Nankanja who claims to be the original owner of this particular piece of land to try and verify facts regarding this land. One fact that is clear is about a section of the land where two parties are already in the courts of law,” Ms Namayanja clarified.

DON'T MISS: Ex-RDC arrested over illegal land evictions in Nakaseke

The land has continued to be a sticky issue in many districts in central Uganda where wealthy people with land titles are evicting poor tenants from their ancestral land claiming that they are illegally settling on the land. It is on this basis that the government is pushing for land reforms which they say are aimed at stopping rampant evictions in the country. The rich and politically well-connected individuals with land titles are the ones being accused of evicting poor tenants from their ancestral land claiming that they are illegally settling on the land.

[email protected]

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Why Kagezi's murder leaves cold trail seven years later

At the time of her death, Joan Kagezi had been assigned one of the most sensitive tasks in her career

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Ms Karua, joined the Azimio team in March and has been drumming up support for Mr Odinga

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Odinga picks Martha Karua as running mate ahead of Kenya's August presidential election

Monday May 16 2022

ODM leader Raila Odinga (left) and Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua during a political rally.

Summary

This year's presidential contest is shaping up to be a two-horse race between Ruto and Raila Odinga, a former political prisoner and prime minister who has secured Kenyatta's support.
William Ruto, 54, was initially anointed by Kenyatta as his successor but found himself marginalised after the 2018 pact between the president and former foe Odinga.
Since then Ruto has positioned himself as a leader looking to upend the status quo and stand up for the "hustlers" trying to survive in a country ruled by "dynasties" -- a reference to the Kenyatta and Odinga families which have dominated politics for decades.

By NATION AFRICA

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Kenya's presidential aspirant Raila Odinga has named Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua as his running mate in the country's high-stakes election in August.
Speaking at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, Mr Odinga praised Ms Karua for her zeal and human rights record.

"I needed a true Joshua on my corner, one who will not be a turn coat. After along search and reflection, together with consultation, I have arrived at the decision that the holder of this position must be a woman," the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya presidential flag bearer said.

He added: "The office of the DP is a workshop which cannot compete with the presidency. The holder must be a co-worker"

After reviewing the committee report I have nominated Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka as the Chief Cabinet Secretary to help me form the Azimio government.

"I also nominate Kenneth Marende as the speaker of the senate. I also nominate Oparanya as CS for Treasury," he said.

Mr Odinga also proposed Mr Peter Munya as CS Agriculture and Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho as CS for lands, to deal with the land issues especially at the coast.

In her acceptance speech, Ms Karua said she was happy to deputize Mr. Odinga, congratulating her other running mates hopefuls.

"I am deeply honored by the decision to nominate me as the deputy president of the coalition. i am aware of the responsibility and this nomination is a collective honour that cannot be left f me alone to savor. It is personal journey but also a national journey," she said.

She added; "We are going to do more in the area of social-economic rights. Together, we can finally bring to life the dreams deferred." she said.

M Karua's choice has split Azimio which saw Wiper Kenya party leader Kalonzo Musyoka bolt out.

In a separate press conference, Mr Musyoka wished Ms Karua well.

"I wish Raila's running mate Martha Karua well. We have agreed to go our separate ways. I told Raila the decision to pick Karua will be met with a lot of opposition. OKA will be alone and very soon Wiper will be launching its own manifesto," he said.

Ms Karua, who joined the Azimio team in March has been crisscrossing the country drumming up support for Mr Odinga.

Last week, she attended the running mate interviews where she said she would accept the verdict of the interviewing panel.

"I went for the interviews without any set conditions... I went knowing the situation there and I will continue working with them regardless of the outcome," she said.

She went on to drum up support for Mr Odinga, saying that his record was unmatched to anyone opposing his candidature.

"My history and that of Raila are similar. He is a patriot that has fought for human rights all his life. I am in Azimio because I know Raila has the interest of the people at heart... even when he is wronged he makes decisions based on the people's interest," she said.

Ms Karua said the Azimio leader has a record of standing with Kenyans and thus the best suited to be president.

“When we consider the incidences of 2002, 2007 and 2013 we can all agree that he (Raila) put his interest aside for the sake of Kenyans. What kind of leader do we want if not someone who put the interest of Kenyans first? No other side has such a leader,” she noted.

She asked Kenyans while going to cast their vote to consider the person and not the party.

“Let us weigh all these people and see what kind of people they are… there are good and bad people on both sides but no one comes close to Raila,” she said adding that the Azimio government will ensure they ward off cartels and seal all corruption loopholes.

Jubilee vice chairman David Murathe has lauded Azimio flag bearer Raila Odinga for his choice of Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua as his running mate, saying she is better placed to fight for the interests of Mt Kenya region and the country.

Mr Murathe said Mr Odinga and Ms Karua ticket will charm the country, with the possibility of the country having the first female Deputy President since independence.

"Martha is somebody who can secure the interests of Mt Kenya as Uhuru (President Kenyatta) goes home.

"So they need somebody like Martha who can excite the vote in Mt Kenya and the country," Mr Murathe said.
Ms Karua, he said, "will appeal to the women and appeal to the forces of democratization which she has fought for."

Jubilee vice-chairman David Murathe said that even anti-corruption crusaders will now know the fight against corruption with Ms Karua and Jakom,

"She has everything going for her," Mr Murathe said adding that Ms Karua will fight for the Mt Kenya community and serve their interests.

"When the community feels insecure now that they don’t have a candidate, they need a fighter next to Jakom to take care of their interests."

He described Ms Karua as principled.

"She will be able to insulate Jakom and will not take nonsense.

"Those who think they will go to distract Jakom, they will have to pass through her first."

The Jubilee official pointed out that the choice of Ms Karua is vital for Mr Odinga interms of the value of the vote, chemistry and will excite the vote base – both Mt Kenya and women base.

"This is the person who can do it. She will take Ruto head on – on corruption wi

A lawyer by profession, Ms Karua graduated from the University of Nairobi in 1980 and the Kenya School of Law in 1981.

She worked as a magistrate before leaving to start her law firm and was instrumental in the treason trial of former Subukia MP Koigi Wamwere.

At the risk of being blacklisted by the Kanu regime, she defended several human rights activists.

Ms Karua would later plunge into politics and was elected MP for Gichugu constituency in 1992 and became the Democratic Party's legal affairs secretary in 1993.

She served as minister for Water Resources Management and Development in the late President Mwai Kibaki’s administration between 2003 and 2008 before she was appointed minister for Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs, where she served until April 6, 2009, when she resigned from the government.

She is celebrated for championing the Water Act 2002, which accelerated the pace of water reforms and improved related services. She is also known for the fight for democracy, the second liberation and constitutional change.

*Authored by Justus Ochieng'

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Why Kagezi's murder leaves cold trail seven years later

At the time of her death, Joan Kagezi had been assigned one of the most sensitive tasks in her career

President Kagame prepares ruling party for 2024 polls

Is the Executive out of touch with reality?

Makerere's Lung Institute to fight cancer

Urban population to hit 21 million by 2040 - UBOS

One arrested after fire burns kiosks at Kampala's National Theatre

World Bank set to review USMID projects this week

Monday May 16 2022

Mr Martin Onyach Olaa, the USMID task team leader at the World Bank (in cap), with Jinja City officials tour some USMID projects last Wednesday. PHOTO / PHILIP WAFULA

Summary

Mr Peter Okocha Kasolo, the mayor, said the elevation from a municipality saw areas such as Budondo, Mafubira and Bugembe annexed to the city.

By Philip Wafula

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The World Bank is this week expected to review the status of Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development Programme [USMID] projects in the country.

This was revealed by Mr Martin Onyach Olaa, the USMID task team leader at the World Bank, who led a delegation to Jinja City last week to supervise the Shs20.5b roadworks ahead of the mid-term review mission.

The World Bank has since 2013/2014 Financial Year been implementing USMID projects in 25 municipalities, some of which were elevated to city status, including Jinja, and such projects are expected to end in 2023.

In Jinja, the project which involves upgrading Eng Dhikusoka, Main Street extension to State Lodge, Busoga Avenue, street lighting, drainage and pedestrian walkways, ran from February 2020 to January 5.

According to Mr Olaa, the review was earlier supposed to be done in Mbale City, but it was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, adding that it would now go ahead in Kampala this week on a date he did not mention.

“World Bank is committed to supporting Uganda’s urban sector in the long or mid-term, but that will depend on this week’s mid-term review,” he said.

He added: “During the review, we shall get an independent assessment report from the consultant on whether money was used for its intended purpose, whether all programmes are on track and if the government can demonstrate to management to reconsider its requests regarding USMID II.”

Mr David Eleme, the city engineer, said he expects the World Bank to continue financing infrastructural development or maybe come up with a successor programme for the cities.

“I also expect the available funding to increase to address the gaps because our immediate demand is to upgrade about 74kms of roads worth over Shs200b, including street lighting, pavement and drainage,” he said.

Of the recently-concluded project, Mr Eleme said financial works are so far at 97 percent.

If Jinja successfully navigates this week’s mid-term review, it will be in line to benefit from the second batch of the project to a tune of up to Shs16.5b, which Mr Eleme said will see at least four new roads constructed.

The roads include Clive Road East, which interconnects with Eng Dhikusooka Road; Clark Road, which proceeds to Kirinya Government Prison; Bell Avenue East; and West, while two garbage trucks and a weighbridge are also being planned.

“The entire Jinja City currently has about 505kms of roads, with about 205kms being in the southern division [formerly the municipality], and about 300kms being in the northern division, with most of it being in a state of earth or murram.

“The project cost us about Shs20.5b and the contractor is currently attending to the snags that were identified. The defects liability period is for one year and will run until January 2023, thereafter the road will be handed over to us for operation and maintenance,” Mr Eleme said.

Mr Peter Okocha Kasolo, the mayor, said the elevation from a municipality saw areas such as Budondo, Mafubira and Bugembe annexed to the city.

“Fortunately, we already have our physical plan approved by the national physical planning board and it is one of the best; however, the challenge regarding infrastructural development is minimal funding.

“We are getting little funding because USMID is a one bank programme, which not only aims at Jinja, but other municipalities and cities around the country. So, you find that when they roll out the programme and the funding that comes in is not enough,” Mr Kasolo said.

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