“Foreign observers say the polls were not free nor fair, and some former ruling party members agree.Malcolm Webb reports from the capital, Kampala” (Al Jazeera English, 2016)
Category: Development
Dr. Kizza Besigye still under house-arrest; The FDC have been oppressed by the Police in the recent days; Arrests of FDC Agents or Officials while trying to deliver Declartion Results Forms; Journalists arrested in Kasangati! (27.02.2016)

Recent days reports of how the oppression and harrasment of the FDC continues. Something that has been going before the Pre-Election period. As the Police continues to work against the opposition members, their methods are getting clear; there was reported that around 15 FDC supporters was taken from Kasangati while trying to visit Dr. Kizza Besigye.

Dr Kizza Besigye says about the situation today: “Situation at my home is getting worse. All traffic is now diverted from the road passing by our home and no one is allowed to come near home” (…)”David Mpanga & Ernest Kalibbala have been stopped at a roadblock in Lutete (3km before Kasangati) and told they can’t come to my home!
David Mpanga has commented on the matter: “Myself and other lawyers were invited to to attend. My colleague and I were stopped at a road block from attending the meeting”.
There been reported that four NTV Journalist and two Daily Monitor Journalists, while they we’re trying to enter the Kasangati home. They have been detained by the Police. As their equipment and also the driver for the NTV crew has been taken. And escorted in a dark van to Kasangati Police Post. There been reported that 11 more journalist gotten the same treatment by the Police as well. All of this arrests has happen without a direct reason from the DPC of Kasangati.
The more reports from the FDC, is that UPDF under orders of Andrew Felix Kaweesi has directed all people from entering the Kasangati area. As also Wassaw Birigwa, Gen. Mugisha Muntu and the legal teams of Amama Mbabazi and the FDC also have not been allowed to enter the home of Dr. Kizza Besigye! All the Traffic is general now blocked from the home. The UPDF and UPF is now evacuating all of the area and surroundings there.

At Wampewo where Amama Mbabazi was on the way to Kasangati to see how the situation of Dr. Kizza Besigye, he was there blocked from coming to him, but not allowed! The Police is claiming his life would be in danger if he enter the Kasangati area, apparently. What they was supposed to do (Kizza Besigye and Amama Mbabazi) was to compare their notes, the feasibility and what strategy of the petition. That is the danger that Police see as the Opposition are dangerous now-a-days!
Police to Amama Mbabazi: “We have info about what you are going to discuss with Besigye and we don’t want that meeting to happen”.
Today the reports are getting clearer as the FDC agents and officials who have the declarations forms from the election. They have tried to get to FDC Headquarter in Najjankumbi, they are not getting access to it. Those who have gone to the home of Dr. Kizza Besigye with the papers, has been beaten, tortured and arrested by the Police. Today at Najjankumbi:”Ibrahim Ngnda Semuju On Capital Gang: “When we went to visit our FDC headquarters , which are under police siege , Gen. Muntu opened the gate and he was immediately arrested and ordered to squat down by armed crime preventers “.
In the last 48 hours there been reported from the FDC that 40 agents and officials from the party has been taken to custody or threaten in a manner which isn’t gentle, they are either detained at the Kireka Police Station or Kasangati Police Post. And the one in charge here is DPC Kasangati James Kawalya who does what he can to stifle the business and life of Dr. Kizza Besigye.

Also reports of the Police are “Heavy deployed” and have surrounded the Rukungiri FDC offices in the town. So the Police is really working against the party at all levels and what Hon. Mafabi has said during the week that FDC officials, agents and supporters been at gun-point to either rewrite or give up declarations forms from the 18th February elections. Hon. Nathan Nandala Mafabi wrote on the 25th February: “Security agents and NRM functionaries are looking for our agents and FDC leaders across the rural areas of Western, Eastern and Northern Uganda to sign falsified Candidates’ Declaration Result Forms. They are being put on gun point to sign them with either an exchange for money or get arrested for those who refuse”.
So this here is proof that his word had sense behind them. The struggle of Dr. Kizza Besigye and the whole party continues as the NRM-Regime is in high-gear as they try and do whatever to get rid of evidence of the electoral fraud and the vote-rigging as the paper-trail left behind and given to FDC Officials and agents, because they have kept this evidence that gives the Electoral Commission, the partisan police and the NRM who try to cover-up their misfortune and acts of actual coup d’état as the actions is not for free and fair elections. The peaceful actions are not there, as the FDC continues to get under fire as a visible unit of opposition; this here is not exemption. The Police oppression, harassment and tactical use for the NRM are so visible. We know IGP Kale Kayihura will write more nonsense to clean his hands from the actions of his police. Just as his boss President Museveni blames everything on everybody else, even if it is his fault. That is the way that he are and can’t help to do something else. Well, the people should know about the issues in general happening with the FDC, that Dr. Kizza Besigye continues to be under house-arrest is an issue, but there is also more oppression that needs to be addressed and put light on! Peace.
Press Statement: Foreign Journalist Condemn Assault Against Members (26.02.2016)


Picture of the Week: “The Ballot that stomps on the Leopards anus”

Difiance in action, indeed!
The President of the United Republic of Tanzania, H.E Dr. John Pombe Joseph Magufuli has sent congratulatory message to the President of the Republic of Uganda, H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni following his re-election as the President at the election held on February 18th 2016.

H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni,
President-Elect of the Republic of Uganda,
KAMPALA.
Your Excellency and Dear Brother,
It gives me great pleasure, on behalf of the Government and people of the United Republic of Tanzania and indeed on my own behalf, to extend to Your Excellency our heartfelt congratulations on your re-election as the President of the Republic of Uganda. Your re-election at the helm of your country is a true reflection of the confidence that the people of Uganda have in you as well as a testimony of their trust in your exemplary leadership.
I also take this opportunity to congratulate your party, National Resistance Movement for its outstanding victory in the General Elections. As you are well aware, both my party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) and the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania have enjoyed brotherly relations with the Ugandan people throughout the years.
While congratulating you on your well deserved re-election, I wish to reaffirm my readiness and determination to continue working with you in further strengthening our relations for the benefit of our two countries and peoples.
Please accept, Your Excellency and Dear Brother, the assurances of my highest consideration.
Issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, East Africa, Regional and International Cooperation
February 24, 2016.
Dr. Kizza Besigye still under House-arrest at Kasangati; while Lukwago and EU EOM visits; the Calvary is kind and let a FDC supporter go in with some food to Besigye (26.02.2016)

Yet another day under house-arrest as the world follows the situation and the way the depressing; Uganda Police Force continues to hold Dr. Kizza Besigye house under siege and have no direct answer other than “preventive arrest”. They have not directly complied with it, while Kale Kayihura wrote in a statement on the 24th February:
“Rtd Col Kizza Besigye is not under house arrest. He is allowed unlimited access to his lawyers, family and party officials, among others, and is not in any way hindered from preparing to legally challenge the results of the Presidential Elections if he so chooses to do so”.
Well the DPC of Kasangati must be counting his boss or the direct orders of his master; if not it is a pure lie on the 24th February 2016 as the Uganda Police chief Inspector General of Police Kayihura. The DPC of Kasangati James Kawalya has the power to either let people in too Dr. Kizza Besigye or not. Therefore up to 15 people and supporters of Presidential Candidate has today been taken to custody by the police as not “everybody” can visit him; as they have to check if you fit the profile of the men that enter the home.

The ones that was allowed earlier in the morning today was one of his lawyers and also newly elected Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago was allowed into the premises with foodstuffs and having a chat with Besigye.

Also later in the day the European Union Election Observers Monitoring (EOM) mission during the General Election in Uganda was courting together with the American embassy riding a big convoy through Wakiso into Kasangati. They could not drive to close and had to have a conversation with the the director human resource development for Police, Mr Andrew Felix Kaweesi. He had to allow them to enter! As the EU EOM was not able to meet him yesterday meet him then, as he was arrested and taken to Kira Road Police Stations and deployed in the evening back to Kasangati. The issue is that EU had to court the Police to enter the compound. This here shows that the words written in the hands of IGP Kayihura from 24th February is utter lies; if he was a free man, the police would not arrest FDC Supporters, would not siege his home and would not tell who could enter and who would be lucky to get to meet him. That is not freedom or liberty, which is a house-arrest where the Police decide for Dr. Kizza Besigye and tell him if he can leave or can visit! This here proves the arrogance of the Police and how the use some words of peace, and does unjust actions the second the public shows the blind eye or doesn’t watch carefully.

Take a look at this arrogance as the loyal supporter show trust and care for his candidate:
“FDC supporter seen escorted by a number of police officers as takes food into the private residence of Ugandan Opposition heavyweight Dr. Kizza Besigye, barricaded by both Ugandan military and Police force for a week since polling day”.
From clear sources when they arrived in the convoy this was the message from the Police:
“A European Union (EU) delegation has been denied entry into Kizza Besigye’s Kasangati home. The delegation arrived this afternoon in a convoy of about six cars. Police which remains deployed outside the residence declined to let them in” (Forum for Democratic Change, (26.02.2016). Something that changed after a conversation with Andrew Felix Kaweesi before entering by foot, because the compound is closed for cars for the moment, as the Police has to secure the area! For some reasons they wouldn’t discuss or really tell, while we all kind of figured it out; as the subtle ways of the Ugandan Police doesn’t really exists... as seen through the pre-election period and continue every single day!
This here shows that there are no moral standards to the leadership of the police as they use the force to the people; as they are treated as subjects, not as citizens as many of the ones by the gates of Kasangati has been detained and driven away. As even the ambassador and the representative from U.S. and EU had to plea to Human Resources Kaweesi as he has the final say together with DPC Kawalya who orders and gives the opportunity to let them in or not. I am sure If they wasn’t international observers and ambassadors that could really sham and destroy the little integrity of the government, they would not have entered the premises and had the talk with Dr. Kizza Besigye. This here proves the mobility and the arrest that he has. If this does not give way and prove the determination of the Police to keep him monitored and also secured in their power instead of giving him an opportunity to talk to his FDC officials and also petition the elections. As the NRM-Regime fears that, because of the massive rigging; they would not go to this extent if he was somebody who doesn’t have the support or political capital to force a change. That is why the Police is not around Joseph Mabirizi’s house, only Professor Joel circles around it to get new jokes to his TV show.
So IGP Kayihura shut-up and talk’s sense, as you ask the public to talk sense and not sensationalize events and rhetoric from the opposition or media. This time it all makes sense, and it is common sense as the facts and the fiction from the Uganda Police Force is just foolish and they could you know; easily see that he manipulates the laws and use Public Order Management Bill as it was intended the“Anti-Besigye Act” used to suppress his party and his affiliates, as the NRM can do as they want and nobody; especially the Police does not mind, but if the opposition, and especially Dr. Kizza Besigye and the FDC officials; than it is another story and even doing the same; is illegal while it’s okay for the NRM.
So now that Dr. Kizza Besigye continues to live under house-arrest, get detained without a warrant or reason other than pure fiction from the Police, as he supposed to generate chaos or violence; while the Police kills and throw tear-gas unto civilians, while he last time ask for people to walk to a destination, not grab arms and bring down the NRM-Regime as the rhetoric from the IGP Kayihura could sound like. That is the honest truth, though Gen. Kayihura would never say it, because his NRM-Police has loyalty toward President Museveni. That is why the Police secure peace from the President Museveni (that is main objective). The Police does not need to think to much about the government of Uganda or the citizens; who apparently is the people, because none of them is President Museveni. The IGP Kayihura they are second fiddle and not that important, because he just follows orders directly from President Museveni. Peace.
Press Relese: Worrying Trends of Journalists Targeted for Covering Political Campaigns in Uganda (26.02.2016)




UPF Press Statement: “Advising people not to come to Kampala on Tuesday 1st March 2016” (26.02.2016)

Dear Ugandan Police Force, is okay on the 2nd March 2016? Peace.
A statement from the U.S. Embassy in Kampala regarding the Ugandan elections of February 18 and the detention of Dr. Kizza Besigye (26.02.2016)

The U.S. Embassy calls again on Ugandan authorities to release Dr. Kizza Besigye from house arrest and to permit him to travel freely. We note that Dr. Besigye has been under near continuous police detention since the February 18 election, has not been charged with any crime, and was denied his constitutional right to participate in the February 24 elections.
We further call upon Uganda authorities to cease and desist from any further harassment or intimidation of members of the opposition, such as the reported arrests of FDC party agents. Officials of all parties, including the opposition, must be allowed to provide their leadership with polling data collected during the vote, free from intimidation or threat of detention, in accordance with international norms and the principles of a democratic society.
We are also deeply concerned by the Electoral Commission’s delay in releasing polling data. This, along with Dr. Besigye’s detention and arrest of party agents, has inhibited citizens’ ability to verify vote tallies and potentially challenge the election results in court within the constitutionally mandated ten-day period.
We expect the Ugandan authorities to uphold the rights of all of their citizens, regardless of political affiliation, and allow the opposition to play a legitimate role in the country’s politics. We further expect all parties to refrain from actions or rhetoric that may lead to violence and to resolve their disputes peacefully.
Dr. Kizza Besigye statement on the Police-Force, how he was detained and the house-arrest during the 25th of February (26.02.2016)

Tonight, I feel like becoming a real “terrorist”! This is the effect of endless acts of impunity on the part of the Uganda Police. When the people assigned the responsibility of maintaining law and order become deliberate and arrogant law breakers, where does one turn to? The day (Thursday 25th Feb 2016) started on a bright side, with a visit by my colleague Maj Gen (rtd) Benon Biraro, who shared a number of ideas on how our country could be put back on rails.
I was also expecting a visit from some Human Rights defenders, including Ms Maria Burnett of the Human Rights Watch. These visitors had come to see me the previous day but were blocked by the police at the barricade they erected on the driveway to our home. In spite of sending my aide to plead with the police (since I couldn’t be allowed to get there myself), they were turned away after waiting for more than 2hrs. They were, instead, asked to come back today at 9am. The Human Rights defenders, who arrived at the police blockade at 8.45am, eventually left about 10am without seeing me. After the usual lengthy “consultations”, that involve talking to the top police commanders, my visitors were told that they won’t be allowed to see me! Shortly after 10am, some visitors, who hadn’t informed me of their visit (a normal occurrence), arrived at the police blockade in a minibus from Kakiri, in our District of Wakiso.
As they inquired from the police whether they could be allowed in to see me, the goons that man the notorious police van UP 4860 sprung into action. They opened the minibus, pulled out two of the occupants and threw them into their van. The driver of the minibus quickly reversed and sped off with the other visitors. At 11am, I made my attempt at leaving home for Najjanankumbi, our party headquarters. As before, I was told that I wasn’t allowed to move out. When I insisted, I was arrested and pushed into the notorious van.
Here, I found two terrified men that were in immense pain. The van had a strong smell of pepper spray that immediately made my sore throat worse and affected my eyes. The two men informed me that they had been badly beaten and pepper-sprayed while in the van. One of the men held in the van, named Jamilu Budde (whom I know) was crying with pain and holding his left arm in a manner that suggested he could have had a broken collar bone.
I pleaded with the “Commander” of the van, one Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Kidandi to let me help Budde with First Aid and get him taken to the clinic, but this was denied. Instead, the two men were roughly thrown off the van and I was carried away alone. After driving through Matugga, Kawempe, Mpererwe, Kisaasi, Northern Bypass, and Naalya, I was deposited in Kira Division police Hqs. This is where I stayed until I was given a bond and “released” at about 9pm.
I made it clear, like before, that if the reason they arrested still existed, then they should keep me in detention. Otherwise, once freed, I should be truly free and not expect the police to detain me at my home. As before, I was told that I’d no choice but to be taken back home. I am now back home and, as before, detained there! I tried as much as I could, unsuccessfully, to demand that they take me to a proper (gazatted) detention place or let me free. My sore throat was worsened by the pepper spray I found in the van. I informed my captors about this and that I would do well to consult my physician. All this fell on deaf ears. I have since found out that Mr Budde and his colleague, who were tortured and left on our home’s driveway earlier, were later briefly held at Kasangati Police Station and later transferred to Kireka Police. Mr Budde hasn’t had any medical attention that I am sure he badly needs.
This is the dilemma of leaving in a country governed by a rogue regime. This is the very reason I wake up early everyday to do something about it. I am confident that, by the Grace of God, we shall overcome.
One Uganda, One People!!

