Press Release – DR Congo: concerns for thousands of people who fled violence in Mpati area, North Kivu (13.04.2016)

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GENEVA, Switzerland, April 13, 2016The top United Nations humanitarian official in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has voiced concern over the fate of more than 35,000 people who, in the past three weeks, have fled the area of Mpati, in the Masisi Territory of North Kivu province, following clashes between the Congolese army and armed groups.
Since 27 March five sites for internally displaced persons (IDP) have been emptied, forcing thousands to seek safety in surrounding villages. Although some who fled the fighting have started to return, the situation remains volatile and of great concern.

“The past days have been difficult for those IDPs forced to leave the sites, prevented by the clashing forces from returning to those sites, and unable to get the humanitarian assistance that they need. I am deeply concerned by the situation,” the Humanitarian Coordinator in DR Congo, Dr Mamadou Diallo, said today.

Access to the area has been difficult, notably because of the clashes. However, since 4 April, a number of humanitarian organizations have reached the area to evaluate the needs of the affected people. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), mandated to coordinate the humanitarian response, is leading a mission to the area of Mpati.

Rein Paulsen, Head of OCHA in DRC, reiterates the importance of unhindered access to areas of need. “Access is paramount to our work, it is vital for humanitarian partners to reach the people in need,” Mr. Paulsen said.

Violence in North Kivu, affecting both civilians and aid organizations, has been rising since late 2014 resulting in renewed displacement. The renewed displacement is taking place amid a shrinking of humanitarian funding while needs remain great. During the current military operations in Mpati area, there have been threats of forced site closures, a concerning issue for humanitarian actors which has been the subject of high-level engagement, including by the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon during a recent mission to DRC. The threat of forced site closures is particularly concerning as the humanitarian community and authorities in North Kivu have agreed on a strategy to draw down the number of sites in North Kivu.

The Humanitarian Coordinator has been advocating to ensure that any site closure respects internationally agreed standards regarding IDPs. In a high-level forum held on 05 April in Kinshasa, the Humanitarian Coordinator stressed again that while DRC has the right to close IDP sites, the role of the humanitarian community is to ensure that such closures “are in line with DRC’s obligations under international humanitarian law”. He added that the humanitarian community is ready to work closely with the Congolese authorities in identifying and implementing durable solutions to the problem of displacement in Eastern DRC.

“Such solutions must be anchored in the Kampala Convention,” the Humanitarian Coordinator said today in reference to the African Union Convention on the Protection of Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa to which DRC is party.

North Kivu has about 781,000 IDPs, of whom 30 per cent are in one of the 53 displacement sites. There are seven IDP sites in the Mpati area hosting more than 45,000 people.

Dr. Kizza Besigye left Kasangati Magistrate Court with a “No Cash Bond” today; Will return to Court on 27th April!

Besigye Kasangati Magistrate Court 13.04.2016

Today, Dr. Kizza Besigye was in court for taken the wrong route through Kampala Metropolitan Area, when driving to the FDC Prayeers at Najjankumbi on the 5th April 2016. As the bond leaving Naggalama Police Station was claiming and charging him for a Illegal Procession towards Najjakumbi from Kasangati.

He could argue that it wasn’t planned and that he left alone in his own car from Kasangati and as long as he drove towards Najjankumbi through Kampala more people surged around him and tailed him. This should not be seen as illegal activity for a man trying to get to Central Kampala and meet with fellow Party Officials and Party Members at the Party Headquarter. But because this he got first hold and detained at Kiira Road Police Station, before moved to Naggalama Police Station in Mukono. And stayed there all day without reason, until he got “freedom” that evening.

Here is the result from Kasangati Magistrate Court on the case for now:

Besigye Kasangati Magistrate Court 13.04.2016

Besigye was granted: “has been granted non cash bail”. He will be back to Court on the 27th April as the case will be up-to court at that date. So this is yet another case where the Police Force and Magistrate facilitate to stall the verdict and the ruling. That is what happen today.

That is what the document also says, and should not be forgotten. An if he does not answer to the charge at that day, then the FDC Mobiliser Ingrid Turinawe  and Tonny Sempebwa have to cough-up UGX 2 Million! Peace. 

Claims of peace deal violations in South Sudan ahead of Machar’s return (Youtube-clip)

Just days ahead of expected return of South Sudan’s rebel leader Riek Machar to the country to facilitate formation of a national unity government, the parties to the conflict continue to accuse each other of violating the peace deal. The Riek Machar led opposition has accused the government of militarizing the capital Juba contrary to its commitment to relocate forces outside the capital. South Sudan’s army however denies the accusation. CCTV’s Patrick Oyet reports” (CCTV Africa, 2016).

Shocking revelations emerge as public hearing on judge Philip Tunoi bribery saga resumes (Youtube-Clip)

“The tribunal formed to investigate a 200 million shillings bribery claims against suspended supreme court judge Philip Tunoi resumed its public hearings this morning after it adjourned last week. Geoffrey Kiplagat who filed an affidavit claiming that he facilitated payment of the bribe to the judge has been undergoing cross examination by Tunoi’s lawyer, Fred Ngatia. Kiplagat claims both Tunoi and Kidero were present at the petrol station where the one was exchanged. During the cross examination, Kiplagat admitted that Tunoi is not attend initial meetings prior to the bribe. Tunoi had initially denied knowing Kiplagat but NSIS records later showed that the two had exchanged several text messages. Justice Tunoi also said he had gathered new evidence from “sources” that could help bolster his defense on bribery allegations leveled against him” (KTN News Kenya, 2016).

Besigye was the “Man About Town” in Kampala, today!

Kasangati 12.04.2016

This morning the Regional Police Commander Wesley Nganyizi came to Kasangati home of Dr. Kizza Besigye, not only for pleasant conversation about how the route to FDC Headquarter in Najjankumbi would be to the ‘Free My Vote’ Prayer. As we could see he was finally a bit active in town, allowed to be at FDC Headquarters and also to the bank. Wonder what next sightseeing for Kizza Besigye is as he was allowed to do party work and also take-out money from the Crane Bank.

12.04.2016 Kampala P1

He came also to inform Besigye about this:

“The police are running out of funds for abusing the rights of Besigye. The operation has become too costly and exhaustion has caught up with the force”.

12.04.2016 Kampala P2 Crane Bank

After the Prayers Besigye needed to take out money and went to the Crane Bank, as the FDC leader who had a Police Convoy from Kasangati to Najjankumbi, the same Police Convoy has followed him to the bank. The Police even sealed of the Crane Bank and the Kampala Road, while also chasing away people from the Bank because Besigye was there.

As he went there on the Kampala chaos started to occurs as the cars and the bank is sealed off while his car is monitored. The pictures show how much fuzz it creates with a Police Convoy around the Besigye in the central Kampala.

12.04.2016 Kampala P3

They really fear that the crowds will attach to him and his presence outside his home. Therefore the convoy even had boda-boda in civil that drove around with pepper-spray so that they will back-off from the convoy of Besigye. Peace.  

How police escorted Col. Besigye from Kasangati under heavy deployment to Najanankumbi for prayers (Youtube-clip)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdQeyfxeG1w

“Police escorted Col Besigye from Kasangati under heavy deployment to Najanankumbi for prayers” (2 of Us, 2016).

Muhammed Ssegirinya was arrested yesterday for “Unlawful Assembly” that for visiting Mulago yesterday; seem likes representatives are not allowed to access their constiuencies, unless they are approved by Mzee

Muhammed Ssegirinya Bond Paper 12.04

So this proves there is illegal for a elected chairperson of Kampala to access the state of government facilities in his constituencies. That is just insane and stupid. But the arrogance and ignorance of the NRM Regime cannot be stated as the relics of foolishness towards the Opposition never stops. This here is one case, that it was an “Unlawful Assembly” for walking and taking a peep at the situtation of Mulago Hospital Complex and the Uganda Cancer Institute. That the Politicians are doing something unlawful by showing up at Government facilities proves the vast foolishness of the ruling party and their use of the Police to harrass the Opposition leaders and Opposition members.

An explaination how this should go: 

He (Muhammed Ssegirinya) we’re arrested for nothing and detained for nothing, and will now have to answer for nothing. So the adjurned case should amount to nothing. But at the state of affairs it might end in “something” as they have planted a mustard seed of ignorance and a seed of Police State; that ends up with detaining and jailing people for trying to work for the peopel and the ones they represent while paying for do. The payment is going to court and answer for nothing. Also he would not have problem if he was associated or a made-man by the Don of the country, H.E. Museveni. Peace. 

Press Release: COPE Withdraws from Parliamentary Activities (11.04.2016)

Cope Press Release P1Cope Press Release P2

Press Release: URA Talking Points at the Takeover Ceremony of W.B.S. Limited (12.04.2016)

URA WBS Statement P1URA WBS Statement P2

Kisansa indigenous coffee rediscovered (Youtube-Clip)

“KISANSA, Uganda’s indigenous coffee (supposedly a unique endemic Robusta subspecies) has been rediscovered and re-cultivated by a bunch of forward-looking and visionary farmers from the central region of Luweero. Currently, research is being done with the support of some agricultural world organizations. Info: http://www.kisansa-coffee.com / Contact: office@kisansa-coffee.com / Thomas Kukovec” (Touma Al-Nemseiwi, 2016).