Burundi: Mouvement pour la Solidarite et la Democratie (MSD) – Communique (17.02.2025)

Dr. Kizza Besigye is in critical condition at Luzira Upper Prison [and been behind bars for 90 days on the 17th February 2025]

We passed by Luzira Upper Prison to check on Dr. Kizza Besigye who has been on a hunger strike to protest against his illegal detention. We were not able to see him because he is very frail and weak. He sent a message to us through Hajj Obed Lutale Kamulegeya who briefed us on his worrying state of health, to a point that he collapsed this morning. He demands for his freedom, and emphasises that if the state has any legitimate case against him, he should be tried in a civilian court!” (Bobi Wine, 17.02.2025).

We in FDC, We are gravely concerned about the deteriorating health condition of our founding President, Dr. Besigye under prison authorities. Based on reports and disturbing visuals from his recent court appearance, it is evident that Dr. Besigye is quite physically sick and suffering from health issues that have significantly deteriorated over time. We are aware that he was yesterday taken to a medical facility at Bugolobi Village Mall for urgent treatment under a very heavy security deployment. He was unable to move and was taken to that facility in a wheelchair. The FDC calls upon right thinking Ugandans, the opposition, the, Media, human rights and civic activists to rise up and be counted in this justified pursuit of fighting for freedom and justice as well as raising concerns about Dr. Besigye’s safety and well-being” (Forum for Democratic Change, 17.02.2025).

The question about the legality of the detention of Dr. Kizza Besigye is out of the window. The case of a civilian in a pending case at the General Court Martial (GCM). That one should have been shattered a long time ago and shouldn’t have been a thing from the on-set. However, there are more dire consequences going on.

That he was yesterday taken swiftly to the “The Clinic” at Bugolobi Village Mall and now today collapsing. He is in a deteriorating health condition and needs medical treatment. That is undeniable at this moment. We should be concerned about the well being and his needs.

It is good that Bobi Wine and other Opposition Leaders tried to access him today. Nevertheless, they didn’t gain access to him. Meanwhile, we know NRM Minister Chris Baryomunsi was able to do so yesterday. That’s before the reports of him being taken to “The Clinic” and was getting some treatment for a little while.

Now we don’t know what is happening and Besigye’s life is in danger. Right now isn’t the time to wait for the authorities to act. Neither is it time for the slow mechanisms of the Judiciary and the other parts of Law Enforcement. Because of all of these are slowing the process and won’t come to the aide of Besigye.

Dr. Kizza Besigye needs to be in a hospital and get proper treatment. Not be behind bars and awaiting his continued demise. That his collapsing and not able to meet visitors is telling everyone how dire things are. This isn’t the moment to sweet talk and let the system work. No, this is the time for haste and to save the life. That’s if the Prison Services and the Authorities values life. The life is on the line. There is no time to wait or be concerned, be worried or think you can discuss it.

Now is the time to act and do it with haste. Besigye needs medical treatment and health care professionals to oversee his needs. That’s what Besigye needs and he doesn’t need prison guards blocking his every step or taking away his freedom. No, Besigye needs doctors and nursers to monitor him. That’s what he needs and as soon as possible. Peace.

RDC: Denonciation des Actes d’Asservissement du Katanga et des Katangais (16.02.2025)

Uganda Law Society (ULS): Judge Dr. Douglas Singiza is responsible for Dr. Kizza Besigye’s situation (17.02.2025)

An open letter regarding Dr. Kizza Besigye’s deteriorating health condition

Dear Sirs,

Whoever that is in-charge, who has an ear and who actually cares. This one is for you(!).

The time is to act now. The time isn’t to act tomorrow. The movement of the treason charges from the General Court Martial to a civilian court is futile now. Now that the keeping Dr. Kizza Besigye behind bars is life threatening. Now, isn’t the time to let him linger and keep him detained.

No, now is the time to act. If someone feels any remorse, guilt or any concern for the life of Dr. Kizza Besigye. Now is the time to come to his aide. It isn’t time to let him linger or stay behind bars. This punitive punishment isn’t only assuring his possible demise.

As his body is in critical condition, his body needs proper medical treatment and not more time behind bars at Luzira Maximum Prison. Since the latest reports is that he has been swiftly driven away from the “The Clinic” and has been returned to Luzira. After being in critical condition earlier today.

That just means his signs are worsening. That what we saw in the video-footage from Buganda Road Magistrate Court only has become more dire. The state isn’t caring or really concerned about his well being. As they are allowing him to deteriorate and lose all of his energy. They are tearing him down and destroying him completely from within. That’s what the state is doing to him and we are all hearing the reports.

The state is not only heartless, but without soul doing this. Instead of taking care of their prisoner. They are torturing him more by keeping him in this state. This isn’t the act of a state that has any value of life or of dissent. This isn’t the act of a republic that cares or nurtures its citizens. No, this is the tyranny and the dictatorship that Besigye himself has warned everyone about. Exactly why he has fought with peaceful means and within the realm of defiance.

Now hearing his demise and possible destruction. It is just giving me a headache. A hero and a man of honour is treated this way. A man who has fought for others and stood by their side. No, people have to come to his aide. Now people have to come and fight for Besigye. Besigye needs the people and needs the leaders to stand up for him.

Right now… the life of Dr. Kizza Besigye is in danger. His life is on the line. The Prison Services and the Authorities don’t mind his frail state. They don’t mind to endanger him and possibly “kill” him. No, they are bashing it and following orders doing it. That’s who they are and they are making it happen.

Dr. Kizza Besigye doesn’t only need PRAYERS, but he NEEDS ACTION. HE NEEDS PROPER MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH CARE. The freedom fighter, activists and opposition leader needs HELP right now. What he doesn’t need is to be another night behind bars at Luzira. They want him for more than 90 days and we don’t know how long they are willing to prolong the agony. However, we know the authorities doesn’t care and that shows.

It is a travesty and a tragedy. Dr. Kizza Besigye deserves to be treated as a human being and that’s clearly to much to ask from the National Resistance Movement (NRM).

Best Regards

The Writer of Minbane

The Silent War: The M23 have occupied Bukavu

The Congolese government has confirmed the occupation of the city of Bukavu by the M23 rebellion. In a statement published on Sunday, February 16 on the X account of the Minister of Communication and Media, the Government of the DRC said that “the Rwandan army and its auxiliaries (M23) entered this morning” in the capital of South Kivu province” (Radio Okapi – ‘Occupation of Bukavu by the Rwandan army and the M23 confirmed by the Government’ 16.02.2025).

The Government is doing everything possible to restore order, security and territorial integrity. It calls on the population of Bukavu to stay at home and not expose themselves to avoid being targeted by the occupying forces. Bukavu, Goma and all the other occupied corners in North Kivu and South Kivu are the symbol of our resistance. Let us all remain standing, vigilant, resilient and united in the face of this ordeal behind our armed forces and the President of the Republic, Supreme Commander” (RDC – Ministère de la Communication et Médias, 16.02.2025).

Now the March 23 Movement or M23 have now taken the second largest city in Eastern Congo. They have now within 16 days or three weeks taken both Goma and now Bukavu. They are now cementing itself in the Kivu Provinces. The M23 and the logistical supporters are supplying it enough fire-power to takeover such vast territories.

The M23/AFC now has the cities of Goma of North Kivu and Bukavu of South Kivu. They are now aligned in both provinces and has a long established itself. The FARDC and Wazalendo is losing out. They are ambushed and tactically outmanoeuvred. This is happening after there was reports of more Burundian brigades sent to reinforce the defence of Bukavu and the South Kivu province. However, those soldiers and such wasn’t prepared for the might of M23 at the moment. The momentum is in the hands of M23 and it shows.

The reason why M23 is succeeding in the battles against FARDC/Wazalendo is that the M23 is having aerial advantage. The M23 uses drones and satellites, which gives them an edge to surveillance the enemy and wherever they move. That’s why the M23 knows which pockets to attack and where the enemy is weak. This is really unique and that’s known after leaked orders of General Sultani Makenga has been released online. Which shows the difference between the digital battlefield commando and the navigation of the blind-sided FARDC/Wazalendo.

This war is worsening for the state. The Kinshasa government is inept and needs more logistical support for its army. The FARDC needs a quick fix and needs more tactical supervision, as the M23/AFC is able to outplay it and destroy its front-lines with ease. That’s why it has moved so fast from Goma to Bukavu. I called it on the 31st January that M23/AFC would go for Bukavo and even Beni. Now they went for Bukavu. So, they have consolidated the power and control of the Kivu Provinces by doing this. Therefore, Kinshasa has to act and swiftly. The integrity of the state is failing and the M23/AFC is only solidifying itself. That’s a victory for Kigali and we all know it.

This here is worrying and shows a serious weakness in the FARDC/Wazalendo military commando. The advances are so quickly and we can wonder where the M23/AFC wants to strike next. However, this war is far from over and now its all about establishing itself. They are now getting rid of enemies and such. We have seen that with the murders of activists in association with LUCHA in Goma. Therefore, expect more of that, as the M23/AFC will get rid of the ones who dares to challenge it. We will see more of it… Peace.

Dr. Kizza Besigye is in critical condition [and been behind bars for 89 days on the 16th February 2025]

Our leader Kizza Besigye remains admitted at a private clinic in Bugolobi. The clinic is surrounded by military, police & Prisons. Photo is the Ambulance that delivered Besigye at the Clinic. PRAY FOR BESIGYE to pull through. Mr. Museveni & his son Muhoozi want to silence KB” (Roland Muhinda, 16.02.2025).

I have spoken to medic at a private clinic where our leader was admitted this evening. The medic told me Besigye is ‘physically weak’ and his condition is ‘worrying and unstable’. He said their duty is to stabilise him to the best of their abilities. ‘The rest we leave to God’!” (Roland Muhinda, 16.02.2025).

The latest news regarding Dr. Kizza Besigye is horrific. It is damaging my calm. The knowledge that his in critical condition and is in life danger. All after the prolonged detention in Luzira Maximum Prison and having a case pending at the Makindye General Court Martial, which has kept him detained and where they have made-up charges to keep there as a civilian. Therefore, the recent news is devastating.

Besigye life is on the line. There is nothing to shadow this or such. A body that is fatigued and in dire need of medical treatment. Some of us has called for it for a while now. Nevertheless, the authorities, the Prison Services and whatnot hasn’t done that for him as a prisoner. This is the utter failure of the state and they have caused him this harm under their watch. They followed him and saw how he was frail. The state knew he was getting weaker and losing energy. Still, they kept him there and let him lose his bodily functions.

This is all on the watch of the state. It just shows what sort of character the state is operating under. This is how it values life and what sort of treatment that is acceptable behind bars. They are accepting and validating this sort of treatment of prisoners. Besigye have been allowed to be treated in this manner and it became life threatening. That’s when they acted in haste and not before he was losing it.

It is just despicable… and disgraceful. This is what the state did to one of its own. It is a sign of how the state values their own and what it is willing to do to them. Besigye has been a voice of reason, a freedom fighter and a man of an unfinished revolution. That’s why people look up to him and his known for his resilience. Nevertheless, his body is fragile and ageing too. His not a young one anymore, but an ageing man. A man who cannot manage as much as he could when he was younger. Therefore, this whole situation is damaging him and the system surrounding him.

That he was just moved to a “The Clinic” in Bugolobi from Luzira with a heavy security deployment. It only shows how the state uses its resources and how it is has no humane treatment of its prisoners. When they are letting someone like Besigye get more and more sick. They must have seen it for days on end and now when it goes really bad. They suddenly moves and hope they can patch the hurt.

I am worried and so are many others. It hurts to write this. It really do. Besigye is a hero and a man of his words. This is just showing what the junta does to its citizens. This is who the NRM is and what it does to their foes. It shouldn’t be like this, but this is on their watch. Peace.

RDC: Mouvement Citoyen pour l’Amour du Congo (PADUC) – Communique (16.02.2025)

Kenya: Kongamano La Mapinduzi (KLM) – Statement on the Election of Mahamoud Ali Youssouf as the African Union Commission Chairperson (15.02.2025)

Ethiopia: Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) – Oromo Parties Must Reject Complicity and Oromo Culture Must be Shielded from the Clutches of Repression! (15.02.2025)