Uganda Decides: Bobi Wine’s House Besieged by the UPDF

Today on the 15th January 2021 in Magere, Wakiso district the soldiers and law enforcement in plain clothes have ceased onto the property of the National Unity Platform President Candidate Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. The house has already been under siege and military have been around it for over 2 months.

Last night there was reports as well, but that was quickly dismissed. Though today, the news is coming out and Bobi Wine stated it online. His practically house-arrested and that was to be anticipated. As Bobi Wine is challenging Museveni and in the head of the old man, that’s treason. So, Bobi Wine have been treasonous and the issue is that his been successful in challenging him.

Today the UPDF and possibly Special Force Command (SFC) have escalated the pressure and is acting up like they did in previous election too. The army and police did house arrest Besigye for months. Now, its starting with Bobi Wine. His now the main target of the state and that is why they are doing this now.

This was to be anticipated. At one point or another. Now, we can just wait for the treason charge and the choppers take him to up-country, and charge him at a Court Martial. That is the next step and what I am awaiting. As this is the escalation from the authorities. This is an pre-emptive arrest and house-arrest of Bobi Wine.

Bobi Wine is now under siege. That was to be expected, because that’s what the state do. They are incriminate Bobi Wine, because he challenged Museveni and that’s enough for them. Peace.

African Elections Watch – Uganda: Authorities must release 26 civil society members arrested for observing elections (15.01.2021)

Opinion: A rigging machine with serious malfunctions …

We are confident that we defeated dictator Museveni by far. I call upon all Ugandans to reject this blackmail. The dictatorship is falling” Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine (15.01.2021)

Yesterday’s polls was happening with all the irregularities that appeared just yesterday. There is little showing that the government, the authorities or the state is really giving way or crossing over to a peaceful transfer of power. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the President will cling on to power.

Even when they have glitches in the system, as the National Unity Platform (NUP) is getting a broad mandate of Members of Parliament. While the NRM is losing cabinet members and high ranking officials in government. The President cannot play this out and say the public is tired of just them. They are tired of him too.

President Museveni and his Electoral Commission is already issuing over 60% victory of partial results. While his MPs are losing their seats. That is even happening with the massive gerrymandering and intimidations. The state have used all of its means, but still the public rebuke so many of their MPs.

The NUP, which is in its new form has already gotten a broader mandate then what the naysayers would say. These folks are aligned with Bobi Wine and therefore, they got an head-start. The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) have already conceded to NUP as the main opposition party in the 11th Parliament. That shows the democratic values and maturity of FDC. That deserves recognition.

That the NUP gotten so many Polling Agents arrested. That the FDC Polling Agents arrested. That the ANT Polling Agents arrested as well. Therefore, the EC wanted to be able to rig without any questions. It is a reason why the opposition have been targeted and hit by the authorities. It is a miracle that the NUP is getting as many MPs as they are. Since, there was no outcome looking like they would get as much people behind it. They have slammed dunk where they could and proven real stamina in the election. As people are tired of NRM and the government itself. Therefore, in response, they have voted for NUP aspirants. Somewhere circulating that the NUP with its little machinery and party organization have won over 50 MPs into the 11th Parliament. However, that is preliminary results and could easily be changed by the authorities. However, the numbers game of winning MPs and getting a mandate. That seems legit and real at the moment. It also shows that there is signs of change and a will to vote for the people who wants the same.

The President and his EC will have a hard time explaining the astonishing rise of NUP and Bobi Wine. Still, he will only be announced with a fringe number. While his organization, a little party who has been able to create a real mandate and be vibrant in a manner, which the NRM and the President wasn’t prepared for. The public is signalling the wish for change and their votes is proof of that. To such an extent… that the Presidential Election should reflect that and the propaganda peddlers cannot sustain the argument now.

It is not like the FDC and NUP isn’t getting a great mandate in the 11th Parliament. Not like these parties doesn’t have a say and had the votes in the Parliamentary Elections. Therefore, it would be weird if that wasn’t really reflected in the Presidential Election as well. That is why we know the rigging is going on and the EC is fixing the results in favour of the President. Peace.

Alliance for National Transformation (ANT): Mugisha Muntu – Statement (15.01.2021)

Ethiopia: Statement on the situation of Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia’s Tigray region (14.01.2021)

By Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees

I remain extremely troubled by the humanitarian situation in the Tigray region of Ethiopia and its impact on civilians, in particular Eritrean refugees hosted in the region.

We have recently seen some positive developments, working with the government to access and assist vulnerable populations, including the transport and distribution of food to some 25,000 Eritrean refugees in the Mai Aini and Adi Harush camps in Tigray. Last week UNHCR and partners carried out a rapid assessment mission at the two camps with the Ethiopian Agency for Refugee and Returnee Affairs and have been able to start restoring the water supply and limited health services. We hope that soon we will be able to re-establish full protection and other humanitarian activities.

However, in spite of repeated requests, UNHCR and partners have not yet had any access to the Shimelba and Hitsats refugee camps since the start of the law and order operation two months ago.

I am very worried for the safety and well-being of Eritrean refugees in those camps. They have been without any aid for many weeks. Furthermore, and of utmost concern, I continue to receive many reliable reports and first-hand accounts of ongoing insecurity and allegations of grave and distressing human rights abuses, including killings, targeted abductions and forced return of refugees to Eritrea. Reports of additional military incursions over the last 10 days are consistent with open source satellite imagery showing new fires burning and other fresh signs of destruction at the two camps. These are concrete indications of major violations of international law.

Ethiopia has long given refuge to people fleeing conflict and persecution. The Federal Government has provided assurances that measures are being taken to minimize the impact of the conflict on civilians. I have impressed upon the Ethiopian leadership the urgency of ensuring the protection of refugees, preventing forced return, and keeping refugee camps safe from attacks and other threats from armed actors.

Equally distressing to UNHCR teams on the ground has been our inability to assist thousands of Eritrean refugees who continue to flee the camps in search of safety and support. Refugees arriving on foot to Shire town in Tigray are emaciated, begging for aid that is not available. Refugees who reached Addis Ababa are being returned to Tigray, some against their will. While access to Mai Aini and Adi Harush camps is a good start, I must reiterate the UN-wide call for full and unimpeded access – exploring all options to safely provide desperately needed assistance.

UNHCR remains committed to work with the Ethiopian government to carry out our mandate to protect and assist those forced to flee in line with the humanitarian principles of impartiality and neutrality. We remain available to seek solutions – together – to the current humanitarian problems in a spirit of collaboration and constructive partnership. Safe access and swift action are needed now to save thousands of lives at risk.

RDC: La MONUSCO et le BCNUDH appellent à renforcer les efforts pour faire cesser les violences dans les territoires de Djugu, Irumu et Mahagi dans la province de l’Ituri (15.01.2021)

Zimbabwe: Hopewell Chin’ono letter to Journalists – Court Rulings (14.01.2021)

Royal African Young Leadership Forum (RAYLF-Africa): A Call for Caution: Ugandan Elections 2021 (13.01.2021)

Republique Centrafricaine: Union Pour le Renouveau Centrafricain (URCA) – Communique de Presse (14.01.2021)

Tchad: Communique du Gouvernment (14.01.2021)