Uganda – Reports on the Amama Mbabazi’s consultation meeting in Soroti; Where the UPF had an oppressive behavior and they used teargas as well.

Amama 090915

Yet another day in the wilderness for Amama Mbabazi, the former weapon brother of Yoweri Kaguta Museveni who wishes to surpass him and become the president of the country from 2016. The reports saying even though Amama Mbabazi has sent in all the forms and letters recommended by the Electoral Commission, still the UPF harass the rally or consultation that was held on the Boma Ground.

Soroti Boma Grounds 090915 P6

Amama’s dream said in Seibei yesterday:

“It gives me great pleasure to be here with you today. I have come here on a consultative tour because I have a dream of becoming a president of this country” (…)”Kaguta Museveni has served us as a country and we as NRM have done well for the last 30 years but you see you still have some serious problems like poor education, poor roads, hospitals and land grabbing” (…)”Some people are saying that I have never visited the Sebei region but this is the first area I visited after we captured power in 1986 and the whole stretch is a food basket. You have the capacity to grow enough wheat to meet the demand of Uganda but because of roads you cannot” (Kay, 2015).

Kale Kayihura Letter to Amama 040915

The Electoral Commission says about Mbabazi’s meeting plans:

The Secretary of the Electoral Commission Sam Rwakojo says: “Presidential aspirant can only hold consultative meetings but not public rallies” (…)”so what Amama Mbabazi is doing wrong” (…)”We advice presidential aspirants to carry out nation-wide consultations as provided by law not campaigning at rallies” (Insider, 2015).

Soroti Boma Grounds 090915 P2

Reports from official sources:

“Angry residents did not only pull down President Museveni’s campaign posters off buildings and poles along Soroti streets but also dared security operatives in running battles following Police’s disruption of Amama Mbabazi’s rally today” (…)”Police was able to disperse the residents from the Sports Ground, they started pelting the officers with stones. The residents later regrouped and managed to cut off a team of about 30 Police officers at Soroti Sports Grounds and threatened to lynch them. The officers pleaded for their lives saying they were only following orders from above” (Kisakye, 2015).

Soroti Boma Grounds 090915 P5

The teargas arrived. Even if it is out of date!

Reason given by Gen. Kale Kayihura:

“Huge numbers on the independence grounds (Soroti public gardens) will destroy the grass, which will cost the municipal spent large sums of money to grow”.

Fred Enage the Police Spokesman to the New Vision via Soundcloud reports today:

“The respective territorial commanders edicted and other DPCs to ensure that to police the numbers that are actually involved. If there are a hundred, if there are a thousand. What is important is that the venues are efficient to accommodate the supporters who are going to be consulted. Is it a clear place? Does it have the consent of the owner of the venue? If it is outside a town hall then we have to assure that it have time-limits to 7 am to 7 pm. If it is within the town hall then its continues” (Nsuguba, 2015).

Peace!

Reference:

Kay, Julius – ‘I have a dream of becoming president—Mbabazi’ (09.09.2015) link: http://crooze.info/i-have-a-dream-of-becoming-president-mbabazi/

Kisakye, Frank – ‘Anger in Soroti as Police disperses Mbabazi supporters’ (09.09.2015) link:

http://www.observer.ug/news-headlines/39788-anger-in-soroti-as-police-disperses-mbabazi-supporters

Nsubuga, Benon – ‘DPCs to monitor Mbabazi meetings’ (07.09.2015) link: http://www.elections.co.ug/new-vision/election/1000522/dpcs-monitor-mbabazi-meetings

The Insider – ‘EC declares Mbabazi rallies illegal’ (08.09.2015) link:  http://www.theinsider.ug/ec-declares-mbabazi-rallies-illegal/

Uganda – Amuru Land Grabbing and MP Arrested

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

More to come later!

Peace.

Press Release: China donates USD 1.2 Million to support the AU Mission in Somalia (08.09.2015)

ChinaAU0809P1ChinaAU0809P2

Press Release: TDA condemns the violent and forceful eviction in Apa, Uganda (08.09.2015)

land-graphic

Kampala, Tuesday, 8 September, 2015:

The Democratic Alliance (TDA) has learnt with shock and consternation of the deployment of heavily armed police and the military in Apa Parish, Pabbo sub county, Amuru district. The aim of the deployment is to subdue the residents violently in order for the government to demarcate boundaries between the districts of Amuru and Adjumani. They also claim that they want to demarcate the boundary of East Madi Hunting Area.

In 2012 the Uganda Wildlife Authority sent armed Rangers with the backing of police and the army to forcefully evict the residents of Apaa. People were beaten up, their livestock raided, their houses burnt and their crops set on fire. Some young men were shot dead in the operation. Twenty five men were arrested, beaten severely, taken to Adjumani where they were charged with offenses ranging from criminal trespass, being idle and disorderly to threatening violence.

Primary schools were closed down, the pupils and teachers sent away and the school desks were being used as firewood by the army and police. In fact the school became the command post of the army complete with a road block along the road leading to the school.

We are aware that this forceful eviction is being driven by a profit motive. We are also aware that at the instigation of Hon. Moses Ali, the area had been offered by Adjumani district to one Bruce Martin, a foreign investor, to be developed as a private game ranch and hunting area. We feel that since the affected area is not under the exclusive jurisdiction of Adjumani district, it requires cross border collaboration and a joint discussion and a shared decision and consent by the neighboring districts of Amuru and Adjumani.

After the incident where mother of Apa exposed themselves naked be fore the government delegation in protest, government made a commitment that a border meeting would be convened to listen to the concerns of the residents and the leaders.

To our surprise, we were told that three days ago a team comprising the army, police and other government officials were already on the ground and had come in via Adjumani district and were carrying out a survey, boundary opening and were also planting mark stones. This was in total contravention of the spirit of dialogue. Leaders tried to access Apa but roadblocks were set up and they were prevented from speaking to the people.

Three people are now confirmed dead by sources in Apa. Several people suffered grave injuries and are being treated at Amuru health centre. The Member of Parliament Gilbert Olanya was arrested and is believed to be detained in Masindi police station.

We condemn the greed behind this illegal and violent eviction of people trying to settle down after twenty years in concentration camps. We demand that this illegal survey and boundary demarcation he halted immediately.

Only open and transparent dialogue with the affected communities can resolve this matter. Force and violence by the army and police will only escalate an already volatile situation. For centuries the people of Madi and Acholi have coexisted and lived peacefully and there has never been any dispute over the administrative boundaries of the two districts. A case in point is Bibia Parish which is located in Attiak Subcounty, Amuru district and has a considerable population of ethnic Madi people. The administrative boundaries of Amuru and Adjumani are well known. That is why we believe that this current dispute is being orchestrated by greedy people who have selfish interests.

We now propose the following way forward:-

1. Any attempt at a unilateral process of survey and boundary opening at the instance of Adjumani district or the central government should be halted.
2. A high level meeting of government representatives, leaders from the districts of Adjumani and Amuru should be convened by to clarify issues of contention and provide an initial platform for dialogue.
3. A meeting of the communities that reside in the affected area should be convened in order that they become part of the efforts to seek a solution rather than being victimized by decisions and actions imposed from above.
4. Trusted mediators should be sought and asked to get involved in facilitating dialogue by the affected communities. The residents of Apa have for instance proposed that Archbishop John Baptist Odama and retired Bishop Macleod Baker Ochola be asked to mediate in this conflict.

TDA stands in solidarity with the people of Apa. We demand that the media blackout and the isolation of Amuru stops. This brings back memories of Operation North when the entire region was cordoned off as soldiers violated human rights with reckless abandon.

Finally, we know that the NRM regime doesn’t adhere to the rule of law but we wish to state that the matter is before the courts of law and the court has issued an injunction against any further survey and boundary opening.

Government should act impartially and without any undue delay in order that an amicable solution to this problem be found.

Press Release: Nexans delivers submarine fiber optic cables to West-Africa (07.09.2015)

Nexans

Press Release: (RSA) Parliament Rejects Recent Reports About Precautionary Suspensions (07.09.2015)

ZADeraildImage

Parliament, Monday, 07 September 2015 – Parliament notes and strongly rejects various newspaper reports related to the precautionary suspension of the senior managers in Parliamentary Protection Services, as a desperate attempt to sensationalise and dramatize a management and labour process that is aimed at stabilising security arrangements in Parliament.

Parliament notes that these actions are aimed at damaging the image of the institution, its management and the Parliament Protection Services by way of engaging in unbecoming ‘politiking,’ against the integrity of the institution. Parliament will not be drawn into this type of engagement because it lacks integrity.

Parliament stands by its previous statement that the precautionary suspension is without prejudice, it is put in place to allow for an independent investigation to take place without any negative influence.

Parliament wishes to reiterate that it is precisely for such reasons as demonstrated by the unprofessional behaviour of some staff members that it wishes to protect the integrity of the process from those who seek to influence and direct the outcomes of this process in a manner that is not consistent with our policies and general professional conduct. Through such utterances in the media, any official is in direct violation of the terms of Parliament policies regarding the Code of Ethics and Conduct for Employees and the Media policy of Parliament, which are very clear on the rules of staff engagement with the media. Parliament notes the brazen disregard for organisation processes, authority and policies in regards to speaking with the media.

Parliament urges all involved to allow the due process of Parliament to take place without interference and attempts to influence the process or its outcomes. To this end, Parliament has engaged with the suspended employees to take the process forward as quickly and smoothly as possible and has not received cooperation in this regard.

Parliament will not respond to each and every utterance as covered by recent media reports.

Parliament notes that its security environment has progressed positively towards stabilisation and it is working hard to ensure a more sustainable solution.

ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENT of RSA

Press Release No215/2015 – Lusaka Hosts Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Capacity Building Workshop on Ending Child Marriage and Other Harmful Tradition Practices in Africa (07.09.2015)

AU070915 P1AU070915 P2

Professor Lumumba at PAV Ansah Foundation Forum – “On the Subject of Governance!”

PLO Lumumba interesting as always! Right?

Ask ourselves! We should Ask Ourselves!

Peace.

Press Release: NRM moves party elections to Monday (05.09.2015)

MuseveniNRM2016Election

The ruling party NRM elections body has postponed internal elections for LCI and other party structures to next week.

According to NRM EC boss Tanga Odoi, the rains disrupted the schedules but everything is in place to hold elections starting from September 7.

Odoi also said in Karamoja, northern, eastern and western regions, elections will be held on Monday starting at 8am to 1pm while structure elections will start from 1pm to 5pm.

On Wednesday elections will extend to Kampala and central Uganda.

Earlier, the Secretary General, Kasule Lumumba, dismissed reports of missing funds as misleading, adding that: “The money was released to the EC’s accountant.”

Meanwhile ballot boxes have already been delivered to polling centres while ballot papers are alredy on their way.

Odoi said NRM will present their list of candidates to the National Electoral Commission on September 10

Press Statement: Professor Gilbert Bukenya returns Nomination Forms (04.09.2015)

Bukenya supporters

I came here sometime ago and picked TDA Nomination papers for aspirants to the position of TDA presidential flag bearer.

I also picked forms for members of Parliaments that believe in our vision; today we bring back our completed nomination forms. We believe in unity and TDA is the answer. That is why we are here to demonstrate our full support to TDA.

All the problems of Uganda will not be solved at once, even democracy will grow and no country in the world are at the same level of democracy. we therefor strongly believe that when we are in the next government we shall bring about many meaningful changes.

1. Electoral Reforms
2. Constitutional amendments
3. Reducing public expenditure (number of MPs, number of districts and presidential advisors etc…)
4. Increase productive expenditure
5. Fight corruption.

Bukenya TDA EC

The current government will never tackle these changes if they are still in power, this they have demonstrated a number of times.

Therefore i am not a believer in “no reforms, no participation in elections” this is giving a silver plate to the current dictatorship to retain power. I will participate in the coming general elections to defeat this regime. Thereafter embark on genuine reforms. We shall then prove ourselves to be different and committed to our country THE TIME FOR CHANGE IS NOW.

Do not take us for granted we mean what we say. I thank all those Ugandans who are deeply supporting our cause. I have so far gathered the required electoral Commission signature for my presidential nomination bid in 82 districts of Uganda in less than 2 weeks. but i will stand with the TDA procedures for concluding on a single presidential flag bearer and i will support whoever is concluded on.

TDA must not delay and if it delays it will be its fault.

Tackling poverty is my priority number one. Poverty for today, tomorrow and future generations. We have the plan that will be wholly and fully implementable. The poor have been so abused and so exploited beyond reason by the government of today.

They are handed money in bags instead of teaching them to look for their own money. These sharks don’t want to teach the poor “to fish”but want to give them fish making them beggars. This must change.

Bukenya will teach you how to fish and eat fish whenever you want.

Thank you
For God and My Country

Prof. Gilbert Bukenya
Presidential Aspirant 2016.