Dr. Kizza Besigye arrested for the third time in two days; FDC HQ under siege; Mbabazi under house arrest; Demonstrations in Kampala; The regime going into panic mode!

Andre Kaweesi FDC HQ 19.02.2016

We can forget to validate the tallying that comes from Namboole today as Badru Kiggundu talks about the final fixed result on Saturday or Sunday. As the Electoral Commission is working under fire from Mzee, as he can’t live with the will people, therefore he is still enforcing militarization of politics as the Police and Army is busy detaining Dr. Kizza Besigye and other FDC “big-men” while sieging FDC HQ and sieging Hon. Amama Mbabazi house.

While the disturbing relentlessness of releasing numbers from the Electoral Commission and also losing of declarations forms in certain districts, and that tally numbers coming from places where the votes hasn’t even been casted. While the Police and army spreading fear in the public while the EC is cooking the numbers to fix the NRM. We know what you do and while your sweeting in the offices and wonder how you will switch the tallies and how many votes you have to pre-tick ballots or calling them.

FDC HQ 19.02.2016 Police Siege

Forum for Democratic Change under siege today:

As Dr. Kizza Besigye is set under house arrest today following the findings of a pre-ticking operations for President Museveni, something nobody should find as they are close knit and tightly incorporated with government facilities and organizations as the Police and NRM-Regime knows all about it.

Today the continuation of Police Force is working against the FDC as they have put the FDC headquarter in Najjanankumbi under siege and even raided the offices as the FDC has put up another Talley Center as the official ones was giving out numbers to sustain President Museveni and stifling votes. Something the Police could not handle at this present state of affairs. The leading operator is Andrew Felix Kaweesi from the Police.

Later as the escalating offences of the FDC, as they question the numbers coming from the Electoral Commission at this point; the siege of the offices is not enough. As the Youth of the area start to demonstrate as of the siege of the FDC Offices closure; this leads into the police shooting live bullets and tear-gas towards the demonstrating youth. They even used a helicopter to throw tear-gas into the compound of the FDC office. (That is some Hollywood kind of actions that would make  Michael Bay proud – Mr. Kale Kayihura!).

Entebbe Road Kampala 19.02.2016. Demonstrations

The Demonstrating Youth also stood and carried out the demonstrations on the Entebbe Road in Kampala as the youth doesn’t accept the siege of the FDC HQ. Police’s Director of Human Resource Development Andrew Felix Kaweesi says they are there to ensure FDC does not announce illegal election results. As the Police is shutting down the demonstrations they has also help from the Army. The Military Police is also at the spot drilling the bullets and tear-gas at the FDC HQ as the siege is continuing.

And yet again Dr. Kizza Besigye was arrested at the FDC Headquarter and taken to an unknown location again. Together with Dr. Besigye the other main FDC figures being arrested by the Police today are Gen. Mugisha Muntu, Ingrid Turinawe and Wasswa Birigwa. They have been arrested for keeping a parallel Tally Center! The UPF and IGP Kayihura can you do this?

A local station, 107.9 FM, reported at 1:43 p.m. that Besigye and another FDC official, Joyce Ssebugwawo, had been taken away in a car by police (Kampala Express, 19.02.2016).

Crowds in protest: students gathered at Makerere University in Kampala demonstrating against the arrest of opposition leader Kizza Besigye (Al Jazeera English, 19.02.2016). Eye witness account:

“Plumes of thick black smoke spiral into the air and the crowds start to run. Some are dressed in sleeveless red university graduation gowns, others carry leafy tree branches to symbolise a past war. They are not all students, but they do all want the same thing: to see President Yoweri Museveni relinquish power to Kizza Besigye” . 

There is also reported demonstrations in Mengo and in Kisenyi in Kampala. The Police is shutting it down with tear-gas and bullets, as the public throws stones at the Police (93.3. KFM Radio, 19.02.2016). There been also reported shots fired in Katwe and Kololo and petty vile photoes from the streets are coming in social media. That I don’t have the stomach to deliver.. as the Live bullets and tear-gas hurt the public!

Kampala 19.02.2016

The latest news broadcast by 93.3 KFM at 3:03 p.m. spoke of “a lot of rampage” at Kasangati and Kawempe although the Kiseka Market area had calmed down a little by 3:00 p.m., with all the shops closed (Kampala Express, 19.02.2016).  In Kiseka Market the Police has shot two people and the picture is spreading online as the victims lay on the streets. a sad sign of the violence of the state and the regime!

Also ordinary people are taken to be detained as they are in the area and demonstrate to the regimes shut-down of the FDC party officials and its headquarter. This here can only be under order of Mzee.

Mbabazi House 19.02.2016

Go-Forward Group:

As other opposition leaders usually is safe. Hon. Amama Mbabazi house is set under house arrest as his home is sieged by the Uganda Police Force and the Army as he is such and threat to the ruling regime. It seems… As that happens at the same time some Polling Agents storms his house demanding pay for guarding his votes!

Amama Mbabazi wrote this:

“This afternoon, police vehicle with Field Formation Unit officers arresting anyone that was outside my gate. They were also accompanied by military police. I am yet to find out why” (Mbabazi, 19.02.2016).

Gaba Kampala 19.02.2016 P1

Continue of Voting in Kampala: 

In Kampala where certain voting has restarted today after the delays of material yesterday as for instance in Gaba, where the demonstrations and anger towards the Polling station occurred. The voters who are named in the Category S-Z are not allowed to vote at the polling stations. (Me asking, so they are the already pre-ticked ballots then?).

At Ggaba Trading Centre the polling station opened today as well because of yesterday’s delays. While this happen though. The Polling station got material, but not the voting material for presidential elections.

In other parts of the Country:

Masaka Talley Center 19.02.2016

In Masaka the Police have started to have heavy deployment around the Talley Center of the town. In Kasese the police has shot tear-gas into the Talley center in the town.

In Nebbi where President Museveni is busy supervising the distribution of Hoes to the public as a appreciations of the voting yesterday. So subtle Mr. President!

Suspicious of rigging, here is reasons why:

In Rubavu in Western Uganda, a government official was caught with pre-ticked ballots for President Museveni. While in Bundibugyo where the presiding officers of the elections and their declarations forms goes missing (The Observer, 19.02.2016). In Bulambuli the results from 6 Polling Stations, Returning Officers claim the Declarations Forms was stolen from the Polling Officers yesterday (The Observer, 19.02.2016). In Sembabule where at certain polling stations yesterday there wasn’t even voting yet, as “at Kirama, Ntusi Primary School, Kazooma A, Lwemibu, Mageege Kinoni all had result 4 tallying even tho they didn’t vote yesterday” (The Obsever, 19.02.2016).

What is some other Presidential candidates up to?

“Presidential candidate Abed Bwanika has been intercepted at Mutukula border by Ugandan security while trying to sneak into Tanzania. He is now being driven back to Kampala, reports indicates” (Red Pepper, 19.02.2016).

Latest on Dr. Kizza Besigye:

He has yet again been sent home to his home in Kasangati by the Police. Right now this is unconfirmed. Have no information on the other “big-men” and detained FDC Officials or public around Kampala that the Police has taken in today. While this reports has been taken back. He is not yet home. Dr. Kizza Besigye and the other FDC Officials are detained in Nagalama Police Station as we speak! He was never home in Kasangati after taken from FDC Headquarter. Winnie Byanyima confirms that he is detained together with the other FDC officials, and not yet escorted home!

I think this is enough for now. More to come as the events unfolding in amp speed right now! There is certainty that the NRM-Regime works hard to suppress the will of the people and the change of power as the siege of opposition is a proof of! There is vicious attempts to destroy democratic values again from the authorities and doesn’t seem to seek the truth. The Police, Military Police and the Army is deployed heavy and guns around as the fear and tension is sky high. Peace.

Press Release: Ugandan radio host arrested mid-broadcast by the Uganda Police (17.02.2016)

Radio North FM

Kampala [bmc]-February 17, 2016 – Ugandan authorities should immediately drop all charges against radio journalist Richard Mungu Jakican, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

Police entered the studios of the privately owned station Radio North FM in the northern Ugandan city of Lira the night of February 13 and arrested Jakican in the middle of his talk radio show, according to press accounts and the Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda, an advocacy group. Police also detained seven politicians who were discussing a recent presidential debate on the show, the group said.

CPJ has documented a worsening pattern of harassment and intimidation of journalists in Uganda as presidential elections scheduled to take place February 18 approach. In recent days, the government has deployed military troops throughout urban centers, an act which some opposition candidates have criticized as intended to intimidate voters,according to reports. President Yoweri Museveni, one of Africa’s longest-serving rulers, is seeking to extend his 30-year stay in power.

“Pulling a journalist and his guests away from the microphone in the middle of a radio show is shocking, crude censorship,” said CPJ Deputy Executive Director Robert Mahoney in New York. “All charges against Richard Mungu Jakican should be dropped immediately, and President Museveni should ensure that all voices can be heard in this campaign.”

Prosecutors initially charged Jakican, who is also the news editor of the station, with malicious damage to property after police claimed he and the politicians he hosted had defaced Museveni’s re-election posters during a break in the show. The charges were later amended to aiding and abetting a crime, an apparent reference to the damaged posters, and he was released on February 17 on bail of 200,000 Ugandan shillings (US$60).

Haruna Kanaabi, executive director of the Independent Media Council, an associationof journalists that campaigns for self-regulation of the media in Uganda, told CPJ he had conducted multiple interviews with colleagues of the journalist and found that there was no indication that any posters were defaced either by him or the politicians he hosted on his show.

Authorities have previously singled out radio stations, a particularly influential medium in rural Uganda, for unwelcome attention in the presidential campaign. On January 20, another station, Endigyito FM, was closed down after it hosted one of the opposition candidates, Amama Mbabazi. It remains closed.

Contact:

Kerry Paterson
Africa Research Associate
+1 212-300-9031
Email: kpaterson@cpj.org

Peter Nkanga
West Africa Representative
Email: pnkanga@cpj.org

Press Release: Uganda -Blanket ban on social media on election day is disproportionate (18.02.2016)

VPN 18.02.2016 P2

ARTICLE 19 is deeply concerned by the decision by the Uganda Communications Commission to block access to social media while millions of Ugandans head to the polls on election day.

This morning, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) blocked social media sites. UCC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Fred Otunnu cited “national security” and that the platforms were being “used to campaign on voting day”. He added that Uganda Electoral Commission had complained about alleged online campaigns that were continuing after 16 February, when all election campaigning was required to cease.

Henry Maina, Regional Director of ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa explained that “this ban on social media platforms is part of a number pervasive systemic measures by the government of Uganda to limit freedom of expression and access to information during the election period. Blanket bans on social media cannot be justified under international law and are wholly disproportionate.”

“At a time when the world’s gaze is on Uganda and the Presidential elections, we call on the Ugandan authorities to immediately revoke the blocking of social media and allow Ugandans to exercise their right to freedom of expression, as well as their right to participate in a free and open election process,” added Maina

Second report as the first polls close in Uganda; with more tear gas; some demonstrations and other poll stations postponed; Dr. Kizza Besigye arrested yet AGAIN and more!

Kampala 18.02.2016

As the day has gone and some first results is coming. I will not comment on them now, as they are not as interesting as the reactions and violations of democratic values and vile display of disgrace of the public will from the authorities and the ruling party in Uganda.

As the Uganda Communication Commission together with Electoral Commission banned Twitter, WhatsApp and Facebook, even mobile-money transfers services. As this could give biased news and dangerous bribing of voters, as the voters has not been bribed during the pre-election period at all. Well, the public found other ways of finding the social media and avoid the issue with Uganda Telecom (UTL/Mango), MTN and Airtel. As they download different VPN services on their phone and still got in to the social media outlets. The actual numbers of downloads this day was staggering 1,432,653. By my reckoning also the apparent ghost that will also in total vote in the election when the tally is done.

VPN 18.02.2016 P2

At one point of the day the Special Forces Command took control of Nakasero Referal Hospital as it had a technical and importance for the authorities as the Presidential guards needed to secure the premises.

In Gaba a suburb of Kampala the public first waited for hours. This happen:

“In Gaba at St Dennis church a full box was brought with ballot papers already ticked in favor of the incumbent who triggered a riot by locals. Military, Police and black mamba security in tinted cars without number-plate were seen patrolling the place. Voting has ended”. As well as the actions contained this as well: “The voters set fire on all the ballots boxes brought”.

Gaba Kampala 18.02.2016 P1

Even early in the day there we’re little or no voting material in vast amounts of polling stations in Wakiso District and Kampala Capital City as the Electoral Commission hadn’t delivered the ballots-papers to the stations. As people came early as the voting starting 07.00 and was to end with the new time 16.00 but with the late arrival nearly at 13.00 or 14.00 even as late as 14.54 that gave the long waiting ques simmering anger at the incompetence or deliberate plunder of time of the people in the area. Even the with the UCC and Telecom bans the Electoral Commission wanted people on Social Media around 14.00 to tell that the Polling stations in the affected areas would be officially open to 19.00 as the people should be able to do their civic duty.

Gaba Kampala 18.02.2016 P2

In Kajanisi, Kampala a Police Officer was arrested and taken away as he held over 600 ballots-papers pre-ticket for the NRM and President Museveni.  Radio One report that Kajjansi B health center polling station in Kampala closed after 3 boxes with pre-ticked ballots in favor of President Museveni and Peter Sematimba were found in a car. Live Bullets in Namuwongo Taking Place. Police and Military Have Intimidated Voters hence forcing them NOT to cast their votes, remember, voting had just begun late at 2:03pm

As of Makindye:

“9:18PM Voting at 22 polling stations in Makindye affected by late delivery of voting materials postponed till tomorrow: Electoral Commission” (NBS TV, 18.02.2016).

In Fort Portal:

“At public library polling station in south division, Fort Portal, 450 ballot papers were received yet the number of registered voters is 429, an excess of 21 ballots. And yet Nyakagongo parish Headquarters in East division received less ballot papers than the number of registered voters. They received 10 booklets some containing 46 ballots, some 50 and others 49 instead of all containing 50 each booklet. There was a total of 500 ballot papers. They have 471 registered voters. They started voting at 7:15am Report: Scovia Atuhaire & Felix Basiime (Daily Monitor, 18.02.2016).

In Masaka:

“Polling agents in Kizungu, Masaka Sports Club have confirmed to Kampala FM that they were not given basins where voters will tick from. This has therefore delayed the voting process since they (agents) too can not afford buying basins” (Kampala FM, 18.02.2016).

More about elections in Masaka:

“‎Unindentified people have been with fifty Museveni pre-ticked ballot papers at Kaboyo Primary school polling station in Lwengo. The voters who were present at the polling station did not allow police to take the culprits and instead resorted to caining them. They were later on told to go back home and the pre ticked ballots were burnt”.

Kaabong 18.02.2016

In Karamoja:

“Karamojong tribeswoman casts her ballot at a polling station during the presidential elections in Kaabong in Karamoja region”.

Koboko 18.02.2016 Evelyn Anite Voting

In Koboko:

“NRM’s Evelyn Anite slips her ballot paper into the ballot box in Koboko Municipality in northern Uganda”.

Early in Apac Town today:

“Voting in Apac town area commenced by 07.10 am. Most polling stations have not had chaos yet, as they voted, Police are all round in Polling stations. Most of the busiest business centers are closed. The number of people in town has also gone down and a few petty businesses are going on” (Rupiny Newspaper, 18.02.2016).

In Arua:

“Last evening, 170 polling officials in River Oli Division in Arua district threatened to boycott work unless Electoral Commission increases their allowances. They include polling assistants and presiding officers. Geoffrey Drani, one of the affected presiding officers, told URN during their recruitment Electoral Commission promised to pay presiding officers Shillings 60,000 and 40,000 for polling assistants. He however, says they were shocked yesterday to receive appointment letters showing that they will receive Shillings 20, 000 each day. According to Drani, as a result, they have declined to sign the appointment letters until Electoral Commission increases the money”.

In Abletong:

“No incident has been registered while in Alebtong, Amolatar, Otuke and part of Lira districts by 9:00am the voting have not started despite the fact that many electorate turned up to cast to their votes.  “You cast you votes and you come back and continue with your business,” said Betty Akello shorting after voting at VH primary school polling station. Patrick Okello of Omoro Sub County in Alebtong said at Onyeroiye polling station business is going on well and the turned up was overwhelming. “We think the turned up will be 80% because people are voting seriously,” he said” (Rupiny Newspaper, 18.02.2016).

In Kween:

“Elections of the MP kween district have been postponed until further notice reason the symbols for the candidates didn’t match instead vice versa I mean interchanged for FDC was in independent and for independent in that of FDC”.

In Yumbe:

The Woman Parliamentary MP Vote for Yumbe was cancelled today! (88.7 Arua ONE FM, 18.02.2016).

Kahinda Otafiire

In Ruhinda:

If you ever thought Kahinda Otafiire would go away silent as the audio-tape of his bribing tactics as he tried to buy the seat from his opponent that beat him in the NRM Primaries during 2015. 2016, has not been his year and continues as he has been jailed today as he has been distributing bribes of UGX 20k to voters in Mitooma (theInsider.ug, 18.02.2016). Doesn’t seem that the UCC bribe act with stopping mobile-money service stopped Otafiire from acting up! (I was not supposed to write that or think that, my bad!).

In Kiruhura:

“The shame of Kiruhura, after yesterday all night harassment, detention and forceful eviction of opposition supporters in Kiruhura. Today what we are witnessing is, because of fear instilled on our supporters by the security and armed militias last night, they have stayed away from the polling stations”.

Tororo 18.02.2016

In Tororo:

“Police was forced to fire teargas to disperse hundreds of Apollo Yeri Ofwono’s supporters who had threatened to set a blaze the home of the prime minister of Iteso cultural union Paul Sande Emolot in Tororo municipality. Ofwono’s supporters raided Emolot’s home on suspicion that it was used to bribe residents to vote for the incumbent Member of Parliament Sanjay Tanna” (New Vision, 18.02.2016).

FDC 18.02.2016 Besigye Arrested

Later in the day Dr. Kizza Besigye arrested:

“Besigye was arrested when he joined his supporters and they stormed a house in Naguru, a Kampala upscale suburb arguing that there is alleged vote rigging taking place”. Kizza Besigye have after the arrest by the Police in Naguru, been taken to Kasangati Police Station. That is currently detained.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=735G3bn3AFI

“Video footage of an FDC raid on a reported safe house in Naguru being used to allegedly tick ballot papers led by Rtd. Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye in which he was also later arrested for trespassing” (NBS TV Uganda, 18.02.2016).

Shawn Mabiru says this about the detaining of Besigye:

“He was in his home district where he voted when he got information that there was an illegal tally centre manned by the NRM and police” (…)”He walked in and saw them pre-ticking ballot papers. They arrested him and took him to an unknown place”.

UPF 18.02.2016 Press Statement Tallying

In Lira yesterday:

“Lira Magistrate Court today released on Court bail seven people who were arrested over the weekend on allegation of defacing posters belonging to NRM Presidential Candidate Yoweri Museveni. Willy Omodo Omodo the GO Forward Candidate for Oyam North MP, Ibrahim Olong who is contesting for Lira Municipality Mayor and Abura James Walter Youth Councillor for Lira Municipality. Others are Mungu Richard Jakisa the News Editor at Radio North, Otim Innocent , Tile David and Patrick Awongo (Radio Wa 89.8 FM, 17.02.2016).

In Kihihi yesterday:

There was reports that the locals “delivered” and got a 100 Rwandan nationals ferried to vote in the election the 18th had come to Kihihi district to vote for President Museveni. They all stayed in Kihihi Police Station. As they wanted them to ship them home and let Ugandans vote in their election.

In Kayunga County yesterday as the government was kind yesterday:

“Kayunga District distributed more 66 heifers worth 102 million shillings to farmers under the Luwero Rwenzori Development Programme” (17.02.2016); the Government all of sudden share their funds just the day before the election, nothing suspicious about that at all…

Tally Error:

Nakasongola:

The magic is that President Museveni has gotten over 3000 votes while the original papers from the Electoral Commission are saying the total voters are 2098!

Rushere Primary School:

The tally shows another magical result for President Museveni he got 760 votes, Kizza Besigye 2 votes. The magical part is that the School and Polling station has 437 votes!

Fear level at certain places:

As the results are pouring in and the tallies are counted. The Army is deploying heavy forces in Luwero and Nakaseke!

AmamaNRMElection2016

Amama Mbabazi message during the elections today:

“I ask all voters in this election to keep vigilant and report any suspicious incident. I would like to thank the team from Karamoja that is vigilant and have reported the following anomalies. In Abim district, the District Registrar is withdrawing a Presidential booklet (50 ballots) from each polling station and taking to unknown destination claiming that some polling stations were in short supply/under served. We question this logic because it is not only President being voted for today but all Members of Parliament as well. There are 60 polling stations in Abim and this amounts to 3000 votes being taken away. South of Amudat in a place called Karita subcounty, our agents with polling agent letters and supervisors have been chased away by Crime Preventers who are armed. Tell us what is happening at your polling station” (Mbabazi, 18.02.2016).

There will come more in the coming days as the ministers, local council men and all the elections results will come and people will react to the new 10th Parliament and who will become the new president in Uganda, as the results hopefully get rid of President Museveni as his rigging time should be over and let the people’s will shine. Peace.

Press Release: From the FDC about delay in polling on 18th February 2016

Besigye 18.02.2016

The Forum For Democratic Change, has noted with concern the calculated moves by the Electoral Commission and some elements within the security organs to disenfranchise Ugandans.

Cases of delayed arrival for polling materials have been widely reported, particularly in areas of Wakiso, Mukono, Jinja and Kampala districts, in spite of repeated assurances from Dr Badru Kiggundu chairman of EC that they were ready for the polls and polling would begin at 7am.

The objective we suspect is to weaken the spirit of Ugandans in particular areas who woke up very early to exercise their civic duty. The particular areas where voting has delayed are the easiest to reach by the EC and therefore the challenges cannot have be due to technical reasons but a deliberate move to disenfranchise certain constituencies which are strongholds of FDC. This shows that the men and women entrusted with management of elections in this country are bent at frustrating democracy and are enemies of the people. They are frustrating and causing disorganization and provocation of the people into some form of confrontation. We however call on our supporters to remain calm but vigilant. Please protect your vote the best way you can. Do not give up. Do not leave the polling stations until you exercise your right to vote. Even when you do, stay behind.

We have also received reports of boxes with pre-ticked ballots, all in the favour of candidate Yoweri Museveni. A very good example is in Nabweru where our vigilant supporters were able to land on vehicle with EIGHT boxes contained already ticked ballots. An alarm was raised. The boxes were whisked to the police station.

The last time we made contact; there was still a standoff between the residents and the police. You also heard of reports that a certain MP from Bushenyi was last night arrested after being caught in possession of boxes containing preticked ballot papers.
Intimidation: In Sembabule district, all our agents have been beaten up by security operatives.

Our humble appeal to all Ugandans and our supporters is to remain at the polling stations and exercise restraint but be firm, no matter the level of provocation. We understand the conditions you find yourselves in but please don’t fall into the trap being set. They know we are the majority, that is why they are frustrating us. However, change is coming. The change you deserve.
One Uganda, one people.

WILBERFORCE KYAMBADDE
Executive Director
FDC Campaign Bureau

CEON-U: “Preliminary Findings on Opening and Set-up Process” (18.02.2016)

CEON U 18.02. P1CEON U 18.02. P2

Press Release (Adm72/01): The Electoral Commission regrets the delays of voting in Kampala today (18.02.2016)

EC 18.02.2016

A few reports on the voting in Uganda; Deliberately late arrival of ballots in Kampala; and more!

 

VPN 18.02.2016 P2

The Social networks are supposed to be down as the Electoral Commission in accord with Uganda Broadcast Commission have decided that showing the election is an dangerous activity; so it is not allowed on the polling day; and also the Money transfer services through cellphones will also be discontinued for the moment. As Airtel, MTN and Uganda Telecom have disbanded WhatsAPP, Twitter and Facebook. The people have started to use VPN and Tunnelbearer App to cross the barricades to the social to address the world of the events unfolding.

“CONFIRMED: Uganda Communications Commission (UCC): Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, mobile money services blocked due to ‘security reasons’. UCC says Facebook, Twiiter, WhatsApp, mobile money services will be unblocked ‘after assessing the security situation” (NBS TV, 18.02.2016).

Well, that is just the Social Media, the more important the ballots and Polling stations! There the democracy in action is happening. Following this; more to come!

“Mzeei Haruna Kabirizi shares his disappointment with the delay in the voting process. Agip Polling Station, Kisuggu ‪#‎UgandaDecides Video: Mabala Rachel” (Daily Monitor).

In Kampala:

The general reports is that in Kampala, Makindye and Wakiso district the voting material has not come in expected as the Electoral Commission says is systematic difficulties. While the voting has started in Gulu, but not in Nakawa or other parts of Kampala; this here must been seen as deliberate actions to get the people to wait for hours, to see if they really want to vote in the elections. No voting has started in Kawempe, the reports comes of all the different voting stations in the city. If it starts it starts hours after anticipating opening time. Instead of early morning it’s about lunch time, and with the new voting regulations the polling stations closes earlier then in previous elections!

“Presidential candidate Maurine Kyalya’s National ID details not in the voters register. The biometric system seems to only be having details contained in the voter location slips that were distributed late. Its widespread”.

In Busia:

Happening now Bumirambako In Busia polling station….Many People Are Being Denied To Vote While Their Names Appear on The Register Bse They Don’t Have National ID.

In Entebbe:

“At Kiwafu Primary School like a number of places in Entebbe Municipality, presiding officers and other polling officials didn’t turn up because of little pay. Now polling assistants who are not so versed with the exercise are in charge” (Daily Monitor, 18.02.2016). 10pm and Mpala polling station still in entebbe has no voting exercise taking place. No ballot papers.

In Rukungiri:

“There is a heavy presence of the members of the fourth estate in various polling centres in uganda. Am here at Rukungiri as a UN Observer. Besigye is about to cast his vote here at Rukungiri”.

In Kabale:

There has been mix-up of ballots and the election in town is called off apparently.

“DOKOLO SOUTH PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION CANCELLED – It was called off this morning by the returning officer Benjamin Ewal” (Urban TV, 18.02.2016).

Besigye 18.02.2016
Dr. Kizza Besigye doing his civic duty earlier today!

This here is the beginning. I will come with more as this comes. This here will be as crazy and amazing as the NRM Primaries on steroids. As Dr. Badru M. Kiggundu doesn’t have the arrogance as Dr. Tanga Odoi in the NRM EC. This here will continue to shade the darkness of the dictatorship of the NRM regime. The proof of the fear of spreading information is the UCC censorship of the Social Media today, as the ironic shut down of mobile money as he voters been bought with cash-money buy the ruling regime for several weeks now and even pictures of Ministers and even the Prime Minister giving money for votes in recent weeks. This here is more a following then an analysis or commentary. But the ironic measure has to be said! Well, continue to vote and try to vote as the material arrives at the Polling stations! The Regime is stifling the process deliberately. Continue to stay strong! Peace.

Ugandan presidential polls open with delays (Youtube-Clip)

“Polls open in Uganda’s presidential and parliamentary elections with President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power for 30 years, seeking a fifth term in office. Many polling stations, delayed awaiting voting materials, opened over an hour late in the capital Kampala” (AFP, 2016).

Clean Ballot Boxes in #UgandaDecides Voting, Mutungo, Kampala (Youtube-Clip)

“The Uganda Electoral Commission official opens up Ballot Boxes in full view of voters at a polling station. February 18th”.