The Dead Silence: The two MPs – Sseginya and Ssewanyana still behind bars without any proof of their criminal conspiracy in the Greater Masaka Murders of last year

Fear has increased in Masaka region after the panga-wielding assailants killed another man in Sembabule district. His death brings the number of murder victims to 18 in Greater Masaka Region in one month” (Urban Television, 27.08.2021).

The murders of the Greater Masaka area of last year has gone out of the folklore. The cases and pending evidence is lost. The momentum of the authorities, the DCI, the UPF and everyone is gone. The proof the alleged criminal conspiracy seems to be all made up. As the victims of the murders are not answered, the real culprits are on the move and the injustice served the opposition is getting ever so clear.

Instead of finding, arraigned and detain the ones who was behind the killings. The authorities did chose to use these murders and crimes to pin it on two popular National Unity Platform (NUP) MPs. These being Kawempe North MP Mohammad Ssegirinya and Makindye West MP Allan Ssewanyana. Who was summoned in September 2021 and is still behind bars to this day.

They are lingering in Kigo Prison and charged with murder and terrorism. While there is no proof of this. They have been pinned with these crimes, but the authorities has not provided any evidence or affidavit or anything else of that sort to prove it. What is striking is that one of the members was in the Netherlands when he was supposed to do it. He was ensuring his district to get medical aid and an ambulance as well. This was Ssegirinya MP, that’s how shoddy the case is and shows how political it was.

These has now carried the debt of the murdered people of Masaka, which at one point was estimated to be 30 murders. That is 30 people with families, friends and loved ones who are never seeing them again. Which is used to implicate and charge innocent men who isn’t participating in these crimes. The criminal conspiracy was done by someone else and is shielded since the state has used all resources to go after these two MPs.

This isn’t the first time or the last time the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has done this. No, they have done this before and the MPs are just a proof of how the state oppress its dissidents. The two MPs are treated as outlaws and terrorists, but that’s only happens because of their political affiliation and their popularity. Because, everyone with some sense knows that these two aren’t behind it all.

What is sad is that the Greater Masaka murders are never resolved. The ones who lost their lives was used as pawns in a political game and not for the greater good either. Just to prove a point and show who has the authority. Since the state has not let them off the hook and doesn’t seem intended to do so either.

This is the dead silence. No one is caring for the loss of lives, these people just died and life moved on. People are seeing their leaders taken away and they are forgotten about behind bars. That is the dead silence…

I wrote these final lines about the murders in August 2021 and it seems fitting today: “It is tragic and sinister… but that is how it seems and it’s not looking good. The murders after curfew seems to continue. Lives is at stake and these are untouchable assassins” Peace.

Nigeria: Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) – PLAC Calls for Action over Kidnapped Abuja-Kaduna Train Passengers (16.05.2022)

Dr. Kizza Besigye house-arrested on the 6th Day

“Police block several MPs at Kasangati-Nangabo junction as they move to visit our leader Besigye at his residence” (The Red Card Front, 17.05.2022)

There are over 100 policemen deployed around my residence. My immediate neighbour’s banana plantation is now part of the police barracks, where they are camped. They think that maybe I will disappear in that plantation” – Dr. Kizza Besigye, Former FDC Leader” (NTV Uganda, 17.05.2022).

The pre-emptive arrest and detention without a court-order persist. The state has not produced him to a court, delivered a warrant or done anything of the sorts, which would deem the acts of Dr. Kizza Besigye illegal. Instead, they are taking away his freedom and liberty for 6 days now.

This a continuation of the impunity and lack of rule of law. As the activists, political leader and citizen himself isn’t allowed to demonstrate, protest or even gather the public behind a reasonable cause. This is the misuse of the Public Order Management Act (POMA) which we all was afraid of when it became the law of the land. As it blocks, stops and silence anyone who wants to gather, political rallies or demonstrations.

So, without any real justification, only the words of the CP Fred Enaga his detained in his own home since the 12th May 2022. This just shows how the state operates and doesn’t respect people’s rights or liberties. They have let this one go on for more the 48 hours. By law they should do something, but not expect anything.

Yesterday, the lawyers representing him was able to enter the compound. However, FDC MPs who tried to enter the compound today wasn’t allowed too. They also struggled through several checkpoints and blockades towards the home of Besigye. Proving that it’s not only the home of Besigye that is sealed off, but the roads going to his home is blocked as well.

Update – later in the day:

Forum for Democratic Change party members, including Hon. Francis Mwijukye and Hon. Gilbert Olanya have paid a courtesy visit to Dr. Kizza Besigye, who remains under house arrest. The group carried some foodstuffs for him” (NBS Television, 17.05.2022).

These MPs was finally allowed to enter after persistent acts at any checkpoint and barricade along the way. Alas, a small battle just to see Besigye.. That isn’t justified and righteous. It shows what the state does and what is willing to do. Peace.

Mali: Communique No. 031 du Gouvernement de la Transition (16.05.2022)

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Sudan: Khartoum State Resistance Committees Coordination – The Meeting with The Tripartite Mechanism – Joint Press Release (16.05.2022)

The invitation of the UN Mission to Support the Transition in Sudan, the African Union, and the IGAD was accepted on 12th of May, 2022, concerning the development of the political situation and surveying of resistance committees’ perspectives on the development of the political process following the October 25 coup, as well as responding resistance committees’ queries regarding the announced political discussions.

Representatives of the Khartoum State Resistance Committees Coordination met with the tripartite mechanism and conveyed to them our clear position on the political process, which is based on the charter for establishment of People’s Power that was inaugurated and signed. The charter was presented in detail to the delegates of the tripartite mechanism.

We issued this statement to entrust our bases and the Sudanese people with the outcome of what transpired within the meeting, and we reiterate that we, as the coordination of the resistance committees, are devoted to the revolutionary slogans and their high aims and that our initial position on the upcoming political process is that there is no negotiation, partnership, or legitimacy with the coup authority, and that this meeting took place with the approval of our bases, and that it represents the independent position of the resistance committees’ coordination, and is unaffected by political speculations and attempts to create parallel contexts that affect the committees’ dealings with the national landscape.

Signed by:

El Hajj Yousif Neighborhoods Resistance Committees Association

Sharg Al Nil Janub Coordination

Bahri Neighborhoods Committees

Old Omdurman Resistance Committees Coordination

Janub Al Hizam Resistance Committees Coordination

South Omdurman Resistance Committees Coordination

South Sudan: Declaration of Jonglei Canal Battalion to join South Sudan United Front/Army (SSUF/A) – (16.05.2022)

Tchad: Tournons La Page – Communique de Presse No. 002 (16.05.2022)

Tchad: Association Citoyenne FIRIHNA – Communique de Presse No. 004 (16.05.2022)

Tchad: Union des Syndicats du Tchad (U.S.T.) – Communique de Presse No. 003 (15.05.2022)