Statement by Canadian High Commissioner in Kenya David Angell on the Ugandan Elections (22.02.2016)

NTV 20.02.2016

Canada congratulates the people of Uganda for holding largely peaceful presidential and parliamentary elections, despite delays in the opening of polls in some regions and other voting irregularities.

We are concerned by the arrest and continued detention of opposition political figures, and the prospect of those actions inciting violence. 

The blackout of social media platforms is troubling given the impact on the right to freedom of speech, particularly as it relates to the democratic process.

We note with regret the preliminary findings of various international election observation missions which highlighted, amongst others, concerns over the transparency and independence of Uganda’s Electoral Commission, and alleged misuse of state resources for campaign financing purposes.

Canada encourages authorities, the government, and opposition leaders to work in collaboration to address these issues, in support of the full rights of all Ugandans and the electoral process.

Mbabazi M7 Besigye

All Canadians in Uganda should limit their movements, avoid demonstrations and large gatherings, follow instructions of local authorities and monitor local news and consult http://travel.gc.ca/destinations/uganda for further advice.

Dr. Kizza Besigye is still under House-Arrest and his home is besieged by the Police; After being detained the whole day at Naggalama Police Station (22.02.2016)

KB Taken Away from Kasangati in Police Van 22.02.2016

There is verified reports that Dr. Kizza Besigye is still under house-arrest. That has happen after the Police has taken him from the Naggalama Police Station in Mukono; back to Kasangati in Wakiso District. As he was taken and detained from the premises this morning when he was supposed to go to the Electoral Commission headquarter together with the party with the copies of Declarations Forms that the FDC parties has, as the polling stations agents from the parties share this. The FDC Party had collected these to be able to counter the verifying result that Eng. Dr. Badru M. Kiggundu announced on the 20th February and explained the tally result the Commission had gotten to; how he had the ability to give the NRM Presidential Candidate and incumbent of 30 years President the victory to Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

Kasangati 20.02.2016

As they the FDC just as they also arrested in the 19th February before this morning the FDC had planned a Press Conference to deliver their tally results from the numbers and votes they had counted of the presidential elections and general elections as it has unfolded. This was not allowed from the Police and therefore were the Police going in, detaining the major parts of the FDC officials that day in question. As they also did the same today on the 22nd February so the government went all in taken the declarations forms, computers and detaining the staff. So the Forum for Democratic Change has been under siege, not only their presidential candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye. I hope to hear how it goes to Ingrid Turinawe, Gen. Mugisha Muntu, Harold Kajja and the others who also were detained today. Together with more staff that has not been named, they also deserve to be freed!

Road Block at Kasangati 22.02.2016

While it is a sad sight and vision to see yet again Dr. Kizza Besigye is back again at his home in Kasangati also known as “Benghazi”. This evening the Police deployment is even heavier than in the morning; as the Uganda Police Force could surely send some of their extras from the Electoral Commission offices as nothing happen there, then the fear of the public wanted to read the official paper themselves; as they should try to do. We can surely know that Dr. Kizza Besigye is not a FREE MAN and still a person under-lockdown and his house is besieged by the Police, as they fear the man and his position in society, and in the populations. Peace.  

A look into the Social Media Ban during the General Elections of the NRM-Regime; Public used VPN bypassing the censorship; + little more!

VPN 18.02.2016 P2

I am going to discuss the Social Media Ban was between 17th February to 21th February in the middle of the elections the Government pushed it through Uganda Communication Commission who gave instructions to MTN, Airtel and Uganda Telecom (UTL) to cut the mobile-data and also Mobile-Money; which is important component for many Ugandans as the banks are greedy and has steady fees on having cash on the accountants there.

UCC explain why people can’t get on Social Media on the 18th February:

“Uganda Communications Commission UCC has finally come out to explain the very poor internet access that hit the country from midnight to the start of polling day 7.00am February 18 – and later. They switched it off, they said” (…) “Many people found it difficult to access social media, especially Facebook, twitter and WhatsApp” (…)”Mutabazi said many parties breached this and took their campaigns onto social media, the Electoral Commission asked them to act. Godfrey Mutabazi is the current Executive Director of Uganda Communications Commission” (…)”Leading Ugandan telecom MTN on their part came out with statement. “The UCC has directed MTN to disable all Social Media and MobileMoney services due to a threat to Public Order and Safety” (Musoke, 2016).

Dr ruhakana ruganda

The great explanation from PM Ruhakana Ruganda:

“Briefing the media on Saturday at the Prime Minister’s Office in Kampala, Rugunda cleared the air on the recent controversial shutdown of social media platforms and mobile money services by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC)” (…)”There had been reports that some elements had been planning to create violence and mayhem [ahead of the general elections]. So government decided to take some specific steps to ensure that the country is secure,” he said” (…)”he also said: “”Social media and mobile money services should be restored any time from now. Gov’t will be able to handle any distortions that may arise from the social media now that the main part of the elections is done” (Kizza, 2016).

The Surge of VPN: 

The great news was the people found a solution and downloaded VPN, even UCC, NRM and other entities to spread the news did so; even the numbers might not be the total but at least 1,5 million people downloaded ways of rerouting the internet access through a VPN instead through the direct Airtime or Mobile-Company services. This was by some 15% of all usage of internet at a certain time used through VPN in Uganda. That is staggering numbers! To VPN services confirmed to a tech-site “TMSruge” that Lifehacks and TrustZoneApp confirmed over 525,000 at one time.

Matia Kasaija

The most interesting is the report not confirmed yet but possible:

“They revealed to the President that data usage per day is $4,000,000 million while mobile money transactions generate $6,000,000 per day. Added together, telecom companies demanded that Uganda pays $10,000,000 per day their investment is not generating income. Power hungry as he is, the President instructed the Minister of Finance Matia Kasaija to sign a quick memorandum of understand with the telecom companies, committing Uganda to pay the above sums of money – $10 million per day of switching off”.

This here is not totally verified, by it gives an indication of how much money the government have used on the closing down the services of the mobile-companies; they are in Uganda to earn money and would stop having operations if they lost money by keeping their business. So it seems reasonable to get compensations for not being able to do business while having license to do it. As the Government want to have business and investors, therefore they have it in them… to pay them to hinder the public access to the services to shut-down the experience and information spreading through the social media and gotten funding through mobile-money.

As you can see the opening of the services after 5 days of shut-down would mean $ 10, 000, 000 million X Days, and its 5 days so the total bill on the Government to try to shut down the Social Media access $ 50, 000, 000 Million. That is a BIG amount of money and the way it happen while such great amount of public started using another ways of getting information and sending information says the diligence of the people to finds ways to do what they want, especially when it doesn’t contain any fear or danger.

Even if the UCC at some point during the Social Media ban they told all the users it was “Treason” and that they would fine and arrest the ones that did use the services; though it still was banned. The issue is that the UCC has to try and collect information on 1, 5 million people and citizens, it is not a court, they have the right to take out Transmitters and Jam broadcasts, and cut technical issues as the Social Media ban though not as effective as the government of Uganda wanted it; and by thinking the possible agreement between them as the Government did it, the Commission should struggle with it. The police struggle enough with the constant movement of RDCs and DPCs as IGP Kale Kayihura doesn’t trust anybody then his boss. I don’t know how they can jail the major part of people for defying their desperate move to ban something that all youth and grown people use to communicate with each other. That is a way you will not succeed in this day and age.

We might never see the agreement or the MoU, this here is still not facts, it is information spread on pages that are Anti-NRM and will be for the use of destroying the NRM-Regime and look bad. So there might be other numbers and such, but the thought that the Government had to pay the Mobile-Companies had to get compensated for the Social Media ban and the stop of Mobile-Money services. This here could be true. The other ones is verified and even government officials explaining the situation. So they believe that they did it for national security. Seem more like that wanted the world not to know the situation as they rigged the election and making the population enemies as the Social Media ban blocked them for addressing their lives online and keeping in touch through the apps and such there. They really looks foolish for banning it, while getting discredited for their actions against the rights to free speech and justice as individuals to express themselves even online during general elections. That has been tampered with, while the people didn’t accept it; therefore they went and used Social Media anyways! Peace. 

Reference:

Kizza, Joseph – ‘Social media, polls: Gov’t assures public on security’ (20.02.2016) Link: http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1417666/live-prime-minister-addresses-nation#sthash.8ucwxRCR.dpuf

Musoke, Ronald – ‘UCC “switches off” social media in Uganda on polls day’ (18.02.2016) link: http://www.independent.co.ug/news/news/11023-ucc-qswitches-offq-social-media-in-uganda-on-polls-day#sthash.2BwQEl2h.dpuf

K2 Telecom Uganda and 87.7 KFM- They Recognize and Congratulates Dr. Kizza Besigye! (22.02.2016)

KB Recognised

Management and Staff of K2 TELECOM.
Would like to congratulate the people’s choice.
His Excellency Rtd Col Dr. Kizza Besigye upon being.
Elected as President Of The Republic Of Uganda.
May the Almighty Lord / Allah guide you.

K2 Uganda

Another Company recognizing him!

KFM Logo

CONGRATULATIONS:
”””””””””””””””””””””””’
Ugandans Voted For Kizza Besigye.
No matter what, You are our President.
The People’s President.
The People’s President.

Press Release: Congratulaty Message of Chama Cha Mapinduzi to the National Resistance Movement of Uganda (22.02.2016)

PR Tanzania 22.02.2016 Congratulate Museveni

BBC Africa: Museveni: “explains the clamp down on opposition” (Youtube-Clip)

“Uganda’s newly re-elected President Yoweri Museveni who was declared winner of last week’s presidential election and has been in power for 30 years. He talks about the opposition and why he is against presidential term limits. He spoke to BBC Africa’s Zuhura Yunus in his country home in Rwakitura, Western Uganda” (BBC Africa, 2016).

President Kagame congratulates President Museveni after announcement of his 5th term

Kagame Museveni

Another one in the line of the men congratulating President Museveni after the announcement of his victory recently; President Paul Kagame shows his respect for his old ally. As the other ones who has congratulated him is the Russian Foreign Department, Both President Kiir and V.P. Riek Machar of South Sudan, President Kenyatta of Kenya, President Sheikh Mohamoud Hassan, President Jacob Zuma of South Africa, President Nkruanziza of Burundi, President Obiang of Equatorial Guinea and now the President of Rwanda.

This here is what’s has been said and written:

“In a diplomatic note sent Sunday to Uganda’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, Kagame said Museveni’s victory in the February 18 presidential elections is “certainly a reflection of the trust the Ugandan people have in your ability to lead them forward in their quest for prosperity and socio-economic transformation” (…)”According to officials at Uganda’s Foreign Affairs Ministry in Kampala, Kagame in his message told Museveni that Rwanda wishes him “success in your term of office, and remains ready to strengthen the excellent ties existing between our two brotherly countries” (Muhame, 2016).

This here proves the diplomatic ties between Uganda and Rwanda is still there and close as the faith President Kagame has in the leadership of President Museveni. He is ready to continue the progress as it gives the loyal friendship between them. For him it doesn’t matter if the Ugandan people had another will and wished another man to run the country. Peace.

Ingrid Turinawe arrested by the Police; Some information about some arrests from the FDC HQ today!

Ingrid Turinawe

As the events unfold the gloves are all off and the nakedness of the totalitarian state and Police State that President Museveni has turned the Ugandan State into, as yet another FDC Opposition leader get jailed, again within days. She was just recently released and had stayed longer in the Naggalama Police Station together with the other FDC officials including Harold Kajja.

DPC Geoffrey Kahebwa has said that she was on the “Most Wanted List”. As she has said this today to the media: “About 5 members of the FDC have been pulled out of their offices at the FDC headquarters in Najjanankumbi and taken to unknown destination”. That does not give a good view of the situation of how the Police are carrying out their affairs and shutting down the operations of the FDC.

Ingrid Turinawe said this today about the situationa and elections result: 

“If at all you have won elections why arrest your opponent? For only 14 days to petition court, Dr. Besigye cannot have a meeting with his party officials, he cannot meet his lawyers, he cannot get a briefing from his election agents, he cannot move to gather evidence he needs for court processes, he cannot access the E.C declaration report! With only 9 days remaining to petition, today, he will spend the 9th day in unknown police cell. By the time he comes out, probably t0mmorow, he will be remaining with 8 days. This is too much pushing!”.

And hours before she was taken on Mukwano Road she complied this herself: 

“Our headquarter is now taken over by police. They are arresting every staff here. DPC Kahebwa says he is now in charge. He has just said he has been looking for me. Happening now”.

She has been taken by the Police Force on the Mukwano Road in Kampala to an unknown locations. As the FDC Officials and FDC Party Organizations is treated as an illegal organization by the Police State under the NRM-O and the President Museveni. Ingrid Turinawe is the FDC Mobilization Secretary and has a pivotal place in the party. So the inprisonment of her, and the other members in direct attack on how the party operates as political party. IGP Kale Kayihura better have a relavent argument for this blantant distruptions and destructions of the main opposition party; I am sure he is just following order to generate peace, but it can’t be peace by taking in innocent men  and woman. Who just fought their belief of a nation with accoutability and transparency in the government of Uganda. The Certainty is that as long as this unfolds the Government and the Police is losing track of their supposed jobs and titles, while make enemies and creating enemies instead of securing security to the people.

Latest information from parts of the FDC Staff and the FDC Officials:

“Our staff; Musoke Vincent, Byaruhanga Tadeo, Bichwa Rodgers & Byaruhanga William their offence is inciting violence” (FDC, 22.02.2016).

22.02. FDC Release Bond - 'Violence'

Well, it’s the Police who creates the violence and shot tear-gas, shot people, lock them up and detain people. The planned events from the FDC Party was a walk to the Electoral Commission; not vandalise the Parliament! The Police are now manufacturing reasons to initimidate FDC Party Staff. The world is watching!  Peace.

Aga Khan says: “Africa’s moment has come” (21.02.2016)

AKDN

Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, 21 February 2016 – His Highness the Aga Khan today extolled Africa’s resilience, economic progress and new willingness to accept diversity.

“What I see emerging today is a refreshingly balanced confidence in Africa – a spirit that takes encouragement from past progress, while also seeking new answers to new challenges,” he said.

The Imam (Spiritual Leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims made the remarks in a keynote address to the “Africa 2016: Business for Africa, Egypt and the World” conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, hosted by Egypt’s president, His Excellency Abdel Fattah el Sisi.

The Aga Khan noted the decidedly upbeat spirit about Africa’s economic future that emanated from the speeches of African leaders taking part in the conference. “My enthusiasm today is especially strong because of the message which is at the heart of this Forum. And that message is, quite simply, that Africa’s Moment has come,” he declared.

While cautioning that Africa still faced formidable challenges, including high unemployment levels among the continent’s young people, he said that the continent had made significant progress in a number of key areas.

“The story of Africa’s progress and potential is also impressive – whether we talk about growing GDP and foreign direct investment, whether we look at economic diversification and national resiliency, whether we chart the rise of a vital middle class – and the expansion of consumer spending – now breaking through the one trillion dollar mark,” he said.

He noted that the experience of the Aga Khan Development Network, which is active in 13 African countries and works in an array of sectors ranging from health to education to culture to economic development, supports the positive picture.

He observed that fragmentation has long been one of the continent’s main weaknesses. “The problem of fragmentation has often afflicted Africa, separating tribe from tribe, country from country, the private sector from the public sector – those who hold political power from those who are in the opposition,” he explained.

And yet the Aga Khan noted that Africa has shown new willingness to embrace diversity and emphasised the importance of civil society in creating an enabling environment for progress.

“In sum I believe that social progress will require quality inputs from all three sectors – public, private and Civil Society. Sustainable progress will build on a three-legged stool,” he said, arguing that “cooperating across traditional lines of division does not mean erasing our proud, independent identities. But it does mean finding additional, enriching identities as members of larger communities – and ultimately, as people who share a common humanity. It means committing ourselves to an Ethic of Pluralism.”

Building on this idea, the Aga Khan emphasised the need for strong Civil Society institutions in Africa’s quest for development, noting that Civil Society has often been underappreciated, marginalised or even dismissed.

“I focus on Civil Society because I think its potential is often under-appreciated as we become absorbed in debates about the most effective programs of governments and others, or the most successful business strategies. But, in fact, it is often the quality of the third sector, Civil Society, that is the “difference-maker”. It not only complements the work of the private and public sectors, it can often help complete that work,” he said.

He lauded the positive role Civil Society played at key junctions in Africa’s recent history. “The influence of Civil Society has also been felt at seminal moments in the continent’s recent history, for example: in shaping the Arusha Accords which recently ended 12 years of civil war in Burundi, in the peaceful resolution of the violent clashes in Kenya following the 2007 elections, in the drafting of a new promising Tunisian Constitution, and in the courageous response to the Ebola crisis” he said.

For more information, please contact:

Kris Janowski
Head of Communications
Aga Khan Development Network
Email: kris.janowski@akdn.org

NOTES

His Highness the Aga Khan
His Highness the Aga Khan, the founder and chairman of the AKDN, is the 49th hereditary Imam (Spiritual Leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims. In Islam’s ethical tradition, religious leaders not only interpret the faith but also have a responsibility to help improve the quality of life in their community and in the societies amongst which they live. For His Highness the Aga Khan, this has meant a deep engagement with development for almost 60 years through the agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network.

The Aga Khan Development Network
Founded by His Highness the Aga Khan, the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) is a group of private, international, non-denominational agencies working to improve living conditions and opportunities for people in specific regions of the developing world. The Network’s organisations have individual mandates that range from healthcare (through over 200 health facilities including 13 hospitals) and education (with over 200 schools) to architecture, rural development, the built environment and the promotion of private-sector enterprise. Together, they work towards a common goal – to build institutions and programmes that can respond to the challenges of social, economic and cultural change on an on-going basis. AKDN works in 30 countries around the world, employing approximately 80,000 people, the majority of whom are based in developing countries. The AKDN’s annual budget for non-profit development is approximately US$ 625 million. AKDN agencies conduct their programmes without regard to faith, origin or gender.

President Zuma congratulates President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (22.02.2016)

PM7@ZUMA 02

President Jacob Zuma has congratulated President Yoweri Museveni on his re-election as President of the Republic of Uganda, following the General Election held on 18 February 2016.

President Zuma congratulated the President of Uganda for holding peaceful elections and committed to working with the Government of Uganda to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

Enquiries: Mr Clayson Monyela, Spokesperson for DIRCO, 082 884 5974

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
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