Press Release: MRG calls on Uganda government to investigate cause of escalating violence in Rwenzori region (04.04.2016)

Kasese attack

Minority Rights Group International (MRG) expresses grave concern about recent clashes between the Bamba-Babwisi and Bakonzo communities in the Rwenzori region, and calls on the Ugandan government to investigate the root causes of the conflict.   The violence has left at least 33 dead, 10,000 displaced and 366 houses burnt.

The first attacks broke out following the declaration of local council election results on 27 February, although many brushed them off as simply post-election violence. However, despite heavy police and military deployment, the killings have continued, with victims including a 13 year-old in Kanyansiri village in Bundibugyo district.

Addressing a press conference, President Yoweri Museveni told media that although his government had never deployed the army to quell a tribal conflict, he was going to now do so.

‘While we understand the President’s urgency to solve this problem, a military solution treats the symptoms not root causes. There is need for genuine dialogue among communities in conflict, mediated by a team of experts,’ says MRG Africa Office Manager, Agnes Kabajuni.

The events playing out in Rwenzori replicate a scenario in 2014, when violence between communities claimed 72 lives.

According to MRG, the causes of the current conflict in Rwenzori date back many decades.

For instance, to solve the Rwenzururu war, a guerilla campaign waged by both the Bakonzo and Bamba to gain recognition and secede from Toro Kingdom, then President Idi Amin negotiated a settlement to create Rwenzori District for the Bakonzo, Semliki District for the Bamba and Kabarole District for the Batoro.

Charles Wesley Mumbere

The Rwenzururu Kingdom, now comprising Bundibugyo, Kasese and Ntoroko districts has since the 1980s established itself as a movement which has continued to pose a serious threat to central government control. In order to calm the ethnic tensions in the region, the government in March 2008, after a ministerial committee recommendation, endorsed the Kingdom of Rwenzururu as a cultural institution headed by King Mumbere.

However, the decision to endorse Rwenzururu Kingdom was done with no prior and adequate consultation of both tribes in Kasese and Bundibugyo, pre-empting demands for recognition of other tribes like Basongora, Banyabindi and Bamba.

‘It is telling to see two groups, which have long co-existed and intermarried, now fighting with each other. At a political level, the government has to facilitate a genuine mediation process involving the Bakonzo under the Rwenzururu Kingdom and the Bamba cultural institution in order that they may peacefully co-exist once more,’ says Kabajuni.

‘As a long term strategy,’ argues Kabajuni, ‘the government has to address the economic marginalization of the communities in the Kasese, Bundibugyo and Ntoroko Districts, caused by historical injustices relating to land, equality, decision-making and economic opportunities for all tribes.’

Notes to editors

  • Find out more about MRG’s work in Uganda
  • Minority Rights Group International is the leading international human rights organization working to secure the rights of ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities and indigenous peoples. We work with more than 150 partners in over 50 countries.
  • For further information or to arrange interviews with our partners in Rwenzori region contact:

Mohamed Matovu, Media Officer, MRG Africa (Kampala, Uganda)

E: mohamed.matovu@mrgmail.org

M: +256 782 748 189
T: +256 393266832
@MinorityRights

Skype: mohamed.matovu

Facebook: www.facebook.com/minorityrights

W: www.minorityrights.org / www.minorityvoices.org

#KaseseAttacks; A Massive assault on the Rwenzururu Kingdom Royal Palace today; nine killed and the Special Force Command aka Flying Squad involved in a plot to take out Royal Guards of the Kingdom!

Kasese 03.04.2016 P1

Today the day the report of the Peace-Talks between the King of the Rwenzuzuru Kingdom Charles Wesley Mumbere and the NRM Eastern Captian Mike Mukula had discussions and talked about necessary things to gain peace in Rwenzori and Rwenzori sub-region; Because the continued violence have not settled down and came up after a flawed local councilor III elections. As the Police and Army have targeted the Royal Guards men of the kingdom; as well as other people have lost their lives in it.

“There is neither war nor an emergency in the area to warrant continued heavy deployment of such security forces in the area.” The Rwenzururu king, Charles Wesley Mumbere, has told government to withdraw the extra security forces deployed”, (247Loaded, 03.04.2016).

First Eyewitness Report:

“Everything started when the flying squad wanted to enter the palace forcefully and the king’s security protected him, two UPDF Soldiers and one royal guard have died” (Rwenzururu Times, 03.04.2016).

Second eye witness report:

“An eye witness at the the Rwenzururu palace says Everything started when the flying squad wanted to enter the palace forcefully and the king’s security protected him, two UPDF Soldiers and one royal guard have died”.

Third Eyewitness report:

“According to an eye witness, the king’s guards were attempting disarm local security guard and this alerted UPDF soldiers who intervened but later shot five dead during the scuffle. The guards tried to disarm a local guard but he overpowered them and made noise that attracted the army and when the soldiers came, the guards remained defiant trying to exchange fire with them but in turn, the army shot five guards dead” he said. The guard was passing near the palace”.

They have been hearing gunshots in the Kasese town today, even as far as All Saints church of Kigoro in Kasese town. The shots have been heard, but certain UPDF soldiers have been badly hurt with machetes.

Fourth report:

“UPDF soldiers have shot dead five royal guards of King Wesley Charles Mumbere of Rwenzururu in Kasese district.

According to an eye witness, the king’s guards were attempting disarm local security guard and this alerted UPDF soldiers who intervened but later shot five dead during the scuffle.

“The guards tried to disarm a local guard but he overpowered them and made noise that attracted the army and when the soldiers came, the guards remained defiant trying to exchange fire with them but in turn, the army shot five guards dead” he said” (NTV Newsnight, 03.04.2016).

There been further reports that after the main melee that the shootings at the Palace have continued and that the Special Force Command have killed in total nine Royal Guards. This is because they do not want to leave the Rwenzururu Kingdom and follow the words of the king.

Uganda Police Force – Press Release on the matter:

Please note that the Uganda Police force and the UPDF have intensified security at the Royal Palace of Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu. This afternoon as the UPF intelligence officers trailed a suspect believed to possess the UPF gun that was taken from a Police officer after he had been killed during an attack on Kidondo P.P last month, there was an exchange of fire within in the kingdom when some attackers attempted to disarm a soldier attached to the kingdom. The UPF is in esting this matter and so far, six people are confirmed dead. Details will be availed later. The situation is under control now as the leaders and the Police follow up on this matter.

ACP Namaye Polly

Deputy PRO

UPF

3rd April 2016.

 

So the violence continues and seemingly the government security organizations are behind it, as the eye-witnesses are clear on the matter. The UPF is trying to put the blame on somebody else; as they are under the paygrade for the Flying Squad and the orders above controls ACP Polly Namaye tries to deflect it and then excuse for the controlling security arrangements as the Government with their Army and Police have persecuted and killed several Rwenzururu Kingdom Royal Guards in the recent month. This here seems like the plot from the Government has come to the level of actually killing them directly at the Royal Palace in Kasese; instead of taking them down in sub-counties and districts in Rwenzori Sub-Region.

Kasese 03.04.2016 P2

And that is as good intelligence and assessment as the Police and Authorities giving for the moment. I can assure you sooner or later Polly Namaye or CP Fred Enaga will tell it is militia or criminal actions, even if it was the Special Force Command or th Flying Squad! Who started the violence and created the killing around the Royal Palace.

Here is the UPF Statement from CP Fred Enaga:

“Today, Sunday, April 03, 2016, at around 1430 pm, a team from the Police Flying Squad that is actively involved in hunting down suspects behind the attacks on Kidodo Police Post, killing a police officer and stealing a gun, while on routine patrol and surveillance at Katadooba village, located 1 km away from the Rwenzururu Kingdom Palace, sighted Kule Julius, the alleged Commander of the attackers on the Police Post, while in possession of the suspected stolen gun. The suspect upon sighting them escaped and returned to the palace with six other members of the traditional Royal Guards” (…)”The police team while returning to the station in Kasese town, fell into an ambush of another group of suspected traditional royal guards, but managed to force their way through up to the police station. A few moments later, several gunshots were heard from the palace where it was later established to be an attack by the traditional against the UPDF Royal guards deployed at the palace, and whom they attempted to disarm in vain after he fought his way out of the palace with his gun” (…)“The highly charged and violent traditional royal guards tried to pursue him in vain, and in the process met two other UPDF Royal guards deployed at the palace, being transported back to the palace on a motorcycle locally known as “bodaboda”. They instantly shot the motorcycle rider dead, and hacked the two UPDF officers to death” (…)”Both the police and military responded to the area and effectively secured it including the perimeter to the palace. They thereafter rescued the UPDF Royal guard that had escaped from the palace and transported the three bodies of the deceased persons to Kilembe Hospital mortuary for further post mortem analysis as inquiries to establish the motive behind the attacks continue” (…)”The situation has been brought under control with no other incidents of violence. More details will be released progressively” (Fred Enaga, 03.04.2016).

As this statement proves is that this counter all of the eyewitnesses and their stories to the world. That is because the Uganda Police Force trying to clean the evidence and violence created by the Special Force Command ak Flying Squad. This because the King upset Brig. Muhoozi Kainerugaba. Can look like that now, they have the motive, not the Royal Guards who shall protect the king; not create violence or war. That is something the UPDF and Special Force Command is more capable of and can’t deny.

Seems like the Uganda People’s Defense Force – Flying Squad does not like to ordered or take responsibility for the created tension and killings in Kasese, Rwenzori Sub-Regions, as the Army and Police is in charge of most of it. Then the Special Force Command happens to be under Brig Muhoozi Kainerugaba only takes orders from the Man with the Hat, President Museveni his father. The Flying Squad takes with erupts actions and kills to prove their point. That is why the army killed even more people to prove their valid point.

So the Rwenzururu King Charles Wesley Mumbere does not get to order people away and therefore has to suffer,as Brigadier Muhoozi Kainerugaba gets away with search and destroy in the kingdom, because he is son of Mzee. Peace.

Former LRA abductee says she has been exploited (Youtube-Clip) and the troubles of the NGO the Invisible Children!

A former abductee of the Lord’s Resistance Army rebels has accused a Non Governmental Organisation in Northern Uganda of using her to solicit funds from donors without offering her any support. Stella Lanam, was abducted by the rebels in 1998 in Lamwo district. She told NTV that the NGO exploited her as she struggled to resettle in the community. The NGO has not responded to the accusations” (NTV Uganda, 2016)

What I was able to find out:

If you wonder which Organization that used her story for their benefit, it was the Invisible Children, the American NGO who is famous for the Kony 2012 campaign. She was trained under their MEND program that lasted from 2007-2014.  She herself told her story to the Campaign in 2009. So the truth is in the pudding and is viable for the people to find out about.

What was told about her through the Invisible Children Mend Video:

” it is impossible for most 12 –year-olds to imagine being taken from school one day along with 150 other students and dragged into the bush by the LRA. That is Stella’s story. She and her classmates were abducted from their primary school by the rebel group and were trained to be a child soldiers and deployed into the bush with guns and machetes. They were sent to overthrow the Ugandan government. While fighting, she was given to a rebel soldier and was soon impregnated. Of the 150 students kidnapped alongside Stella, more than half were killed. Despite all that she has been through, Stella keeps smiling and singing. But Stella also continues to fight for the rights of formerly abducted women, as she dreams of becoming a local councilperson. A born leader, she is making the future brighter – not only for herself, but for all child mothers in northern Uganda. And for the first time, the brightness of her future outshines the dark memories she has passed through” (MEND.co/VIMEO, 09.09.2016).

Dissolved?

These kinds of problematic representations ultimately led to a backlash against the organization. This became particularly clear during and after the Kony 2012 campaign and had a fundamental effect on the fundraising efforts of the organization. Traditionally, most of IC’s funds were collected as a result of its tours: countrywide presentations in high schools and colleges about the conflict and the organization’s work during which merchandise such as T-shirts and DVDs were sold and a large number of donations were collected” (…)”A second important issue is the market-based functioning of Invisible Children, whose operations have become increasingly in line with Dan Pallotta’s thinking. Russell and Keesey often cite Pallotta’s work as a major influence on how they conceptualize the future of charity and Pallotta sits on their advisory board. He was also a featured speaker at IC events in 2009, 2012 and 2013. Pallotta’s basic argument is that charities should be run according to private sector principles. Concretely, he argues for the “multiplying effect of smart investments.” This involves paying large overheads in order to attract the most talented people who in turn are expected to produce the best results, but also in the belief that higher spending in these “smart investments” will pay off: the more you spend, the more you raise and therefore the more you grow” (…)”Kony 2012 was not the first time Invisible Children had been confronted with accusations of grossly misrepresenting the conflict or its role in ending it. It did initiate, however, an overwhelming tidal wave of exposure to which the organization was ill-prepared to respond” (…)”Unlike a for-profit corporation, however, Invisible Children’s closure will have lasting effects on the many communities and students to whom it committed and whose lived experiences it aims to represent. Charitable organizations have a profoundly different set of relationships with their beneficiaries” (Ticea & Sebastian, 2015).

IC Expenses

That is the reason why she the abducted woman never got what she was promised by the NGO, it was dissolved and a NGO who is famous for using the conflict for their own gain, instead of trying to really help the people in the Northern Uganda the LRA abductees. The plot it seems for the Invisble Children was to gain as much funds and donor money, through smart marketing instead of actually doing great work on the ground. Peace.

Reference:

Ticea, Kristof & Sebastian, Matthew – ‘Why did Invisible Children dissolve?’ (30.12.2015) link: https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/monkey-cage/wp/2014/12/30/why-did-invisible-children-dissolve/

CEON-U: Post election Press release (01.04.2016)

CCEDU Topowa

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 1, 2016

The post election season has been characterised by tension arising from the house arrest of lead opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye, a court case by former presidential candidate Amama Mbabazi and filing court petitions for MP, L.C and municipal elections.

The Citizen Election Observers Network- Uganda (CEON-U) is concerned that the continued house arrest of the lead opposition candidate infringes on his right to freedom according to article 23 of the constitution.

In article 43 of the constitution: (I) In the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms prescribed in this Chapter, no person shall prejudice the fundamental or other human rights and freedoms of others or the public interest.

(2) Public interest under this article shall not permit-

(a) political persecution;

(b) detention without trial;

(c) any limitation of the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms prescribed by this Chapter beyond what is acceptable and demonstrably justifiable in a free and democratic society, or what is provided in this Constitution.

NBS Besigye 16.02.2016

Section 24 of the police act gives the police a right to arrest someone if he is a threat to public security, but CEON-U demands that police produces evidence that makes Besigye a threat to public security, otherwise will his arrest be indefinite.

In a multiparty system, opposition parties should not be viewed as enemies of the state, but rather as groups that provide alternative Government programmes.

As part of a process of increasing citizen participation in Uganda’s electoral process, CEON-U recently carried out an opinion survey on the recently concluded general elections.

The survey was meant to expose electoral irregularities so as to provide a premise on how to better organise elections in Uganda.

EC 22.02.2015 Guarded Heavy

Consequently;  8 CEON-U managers visited areas where there is conflict, court petitions and requests for vote recounts to establish the causes of the disputed elections. The team visited Tororo, Gulu, Kotido, Butambala, Serere, Jinja, Mayuge, Iganga, Mukono, Kasese, Bundibugyo and Ntungamo. The managers worked closely with our long-term observers who are natives of the constituencies and the districts which they observed, before, during and are observing after elections. CEON-U held focus group discussions with members of the community, local council leaders, opinion leaders and voters from all political parties in the districts.

CEON-U also met district police officials, district returning officers, registrars in courts of law and victims of electoral violence.

Oulanyah House 20.02.2016

Findings:

Generally, the presidential and parliamentary elections were peaceful, but the period leading up to the election day was volatile in all the districts visited. In Mayuge for instance a man died under unclear circumstances. He was a supporter of Robert Ntende, an independent candidate. He is said to have been killed by supporters of Idi Isabirye.

In Iganga at Idudi supporters of NRM and FDC clashed on the eve of elections over voter bribery. The NRM MP was giving out cash to voters who alerted FDC supporters. FDC supporters reacted by blocking the NRM from giving out money, the NRM called a NAADS soldier to rescue them. He came and shot dead a 25-year-old man and the crowd became more rowdy. And the soldier continued firing live bullets. In the process of the scuffle, a woman was shot through the arm and an s.3 student was shot through the neck. Both these people were not involved in the scuffle but had gone to the trading centre to buy food. This shooting took place at 8:00pm. (attached are the pictures of the victims of the shootings).

The way results were tabulated and announced at the district provided a sharp contrast with what the locals had gathered from the polling stations. This happened for all the elections, presidential, parliamentary, district council and municipal elections.

NRM UPC Arua 16.11.15

There are mainly two known political parties, the NRM and FDC; even though Uganda has 10 political parties. UPC which was once a known party is almost non-existent.

In a strong multi-party dispensation system people are given an opportunity to have divergent views on handling issues of governance. A weak political party system promotes a one party system of governance which impedes institutional growth.

The management of electoral processes by some of the district returning officials was poor.

A case in point is Jinja: When it came to the L.C.3 election of Walukuba West Parish B;

The LC 3 election had five candidates Joseph Bateganya Atumika, Bisusa Amisi Kafuko, Kirunda Isaac Kiwunda, Mande Milton and Mbulugu Emmanuel.

On Election day the ballot papers that were supplied to the polling stations had wrong names. Mande Milton was called Mande Milton Kirunda. Also party symbols were mixed up between the NRM candidate and FDC candidate. This was sufficient ground for the election to have been cancelled. However, even when the Jinja district returning officer, Ambrose Mwaita was notified about the anomaly he told the candidate Kirunda Isaac Kiwunda that electoral commission Jinja was not going to do anything about this case. A case has been filed against the electoral commission in Jinja court by Kirunda Isaac Kiwunda.

There are several other electoral disputes that have been filed in courts of law in the various districts. In Omoro Constituency there is a Petition: Simon Toolit Vs Oulanyah Jacob was logged in on March 24 2016. Simon Tollit is suing the Incumbent Oulanyah Jacob and EC over election mal practice. These included ballot boxes being kept away in a saloon, EC tampering with DR forms, EC using a Different format of the District DR Form to declare results among other things.

Anti Riot Police 30.01.2016 Before FDC Campaign Kabale

Intimidation and Violence:

In Katawi, Amuria, Bukedea and Serere there were cases of intimidation and violence. The community claimed they were beaten by militia groups and crime preventers and were warned against voting an opposition party into power. ( attached is a picture of the people who gave confessions during a focus group discussion)

In Mukono the parliamentary campaigns were characterised by violence and chaos. According to the electoral commission, Fatuma Ndisaba’s supporters used to beat up Betty Nambooze’s supporters during campaigns. There was also the problem of candidates campaigning beyond the stipulated for campaign time and supporters clashing after the campaigns.

Badru EC

Recommendations:

 The military should be restrained from participating in elections, because elections are volatile in nature. Electoral commission should improve its image by investigating and eventually laying off district returning officers who are said to have altered DR forms and extorted money from candidates who wanted to be announced winners.   All political parties should be treated equally and respectfully by the Government in power.  The Government should seriously consider the electoral reforms that civil society presented last year. Presiding officers and polling assistants should be better remunerated to prevent them from being compromised during elections.  Management of elections is not a single days event. Planning and training of officials, desk officers, middle level managers, desk officers, heads of departments on the process of elections should start the second month after the general elections. Training presiding and polling officials should be done a month to the elections to minimise errors on the DR forms.

Ugandan Election 2016 Grieving

Conclusion:

The democratic path is a long bumpy one, despite the many electoral irregularities that marred the recently concluded elections, the gains made over the last 30 years cannot just be thrown away. We need more concerted effort to promote true democratic ideals.

For more information about CEON-U contact Dr Martin Mwondha on 0788929052 or email omwondha662@yahoo.com visit our website at http://www.ceonu.or.ug (CEON – Uganda) – Towards 2016: Conducting a Unified, Comprehensive and effective election Observation Mission in Uganda. You can also visit the FHRI offices in Nsambya.

Free Uganda statement in support of the YOUTH WARRIORS who are spreading the message of Revolution and mobilizing the masses for the Freedom Struggle (01.04.2016)

Museveni Idi Amin

Ugandans will not allow Museveni to impose himself on the country using NRM cadre judges, and the savage barbarism of Kayihura//Muhoozi killer-torture squads. The nation’s patriotic youths are igniting the fire of Revolution that will spread across the land in the coming months.

Uganda’s Revolutionary youth are leading the Struggle for Freedom, and their message of DEFIANCE is spreading like fire across the Motherland.

As the ‘CHAIN’ WARRIORS’ were successfully highlighting the state of terror in the country, by chaining themselves in strategic areas of the capital city, Music Superstars, like Eddy Kenzo, Bobi Wine, etc, were making their contribution by using their performances as a launch pad for mobilising the masses.

Free Uganda thanks these patriotic youth for paving the way for the evolving struggle. We applaud their courage and determination in the face of intense brutality and repression from the Museveni / Muhoozi / Kayihura negative forces.

Fellow Liberation Struggle Patriots of the young generation – the CHAIN WARRIORS, the MUSIC WARRIORS, the STREET WARRIORS, the CITY WARRIORS, the VILLAGE WARRIORS, etc, your noble stand against injustice and Museveni’s terrorism is inspiring millions of our citizens and preparing the country for the final show-down in the People’s Struggle for freedom and democracy.

Demonstrator Kampala 31.03.2016

A lot more is to come in the days and months ahead, and Despot Yoweri Museveni must know that the Ugandan People will not rest until he is squarely defeated in his attempt to illegitimately hold onto power after what was the MOST RIGGED ELECTIONS ON THE AFRICAN CONTINENT

Never mind what some NRM CADRE JUSTICES say, in such incredible shameless support for the Despot, Ugandan People are not going to allow the Museveni Family apparatus to continue forcefully imposing itself on the country. Ugandans will not allow Museveni to hang around state house for what are purely egoistical and self-fulfilling motivations.

Museveni must understand that this time round Ugandans are not going to play any SOFTLY-SOFTLY GAMES with him.

The liberty, democracy, happiness and ‘Museveni-less’ future they seek is not negotiable.

Ugandans have decided to move on without Museveni, and it shall be so, whether the despot wants it or not.

And, for God and Country, every means permissible by the Constitution of Uganda will be deployed to achieve the desired outcome.

Issued by Dr Vincent Magombe, Secretary FreeUganda Leadership Committee and Press Secretary FU.

Free Uganda Statement on the Youth Revolt now underway in Uganda, led by the CHAIN-WARRIORS (31.03.2016)

Demonstrator Kampala 31.03.2016

Ugandan People Power Revolution in the making. The nation’s Patriotic Youth are leading the way. Freedom is the ultimate Destination.

Free Uganda applauds the courageous Ugandan youths who have today, 31st March 2016 launched the equivalent of the 1980 attack on Kabamba barracks by a small group of NRA guerrillas.

The difference is that this extremely symbolic action by the revolutionary youths of Uganda was entirely peaceful – CHAINING THEMSELVES TO POLES IN STRATEGIC AREAS OF KAMPALA CITY, as hundreds of chanting and singing citizens cheered them on.

The CHAIN WARRIORS have opened one of the most effective pathways to the liberation of Uganda, and they must be applauded for their determination and courage, in the face of brutal police arrests and torture.

Going forward in this Struggle, all creative means of defiance will be deployed by the People Power Patriots, but the Ugandan nation must prepared to confront the extreme and nakedly savage brutality by the Museveni / Muhoozi / Kayihura axis.

It is vital that the People of Uganda, while pursuing the freedom goal through peaceful and non-violent means, acknowledge the need to be open-minded about the possible use of ALL NECESSARY MEANS, and begin to build the necessary capacity for any such eventuality.

This call for preparedness to use ALL NECESSARY MEANS to secure the People’s Freedom and resist mass murder on the part of the Museveni / Muhoozi / Kayihura axis, is directed mainly at our brothers and sisters who are already armed and trained in the use of violent means, i.e those in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, the Uganda Police Service and the country’s Security Services.

If Ugandans are to achieve the Burkina-Style liberation, which was initiated and overwhelmingly actualised by unarmed and peaceful citizens, those progressive and patriotic brothers and sisters in the armed services must be prepared to intervene on the side of the masses, when Museveni, his son Muhoozi and the rogue police general Kale Kayihura begin to commit mass murder of unarmed civilians or when pro-Museveni sections of the armed services chose to carry out a palace coup, as was the case in Burkina Faso, when the presidential guard attempted to reverse the People’s victory by carrying out a palace coup supported by the deposed president.

This foresight and visionary reflection on how things may go wrong in the course of the People’s liberation struggle is of vital importance to the success of the patriotic mission now underway in Uganda.

It is not good enough for the People to sacrifice their lives through peaceful struggle, only for their victory to be blunted or snatched away by the very illegitimate and criminal outfit that has imposed itself on the nation.

Where necessary, even the civilian population that is now involved in peaceful and non-violent defiance, must be prepared to use ALL NECESSARY MEANS should the evolving developments necessitate that course of action.

So, as the People Power Struggle picks momentum and becomes visible on the streets of Uganda’s capital and elsewhere across the country, it would be of strategic importance for the progressive forces in the liberation struggle not to rule out any RADICAL SOLUTIONS, IN THE FACE OF MUSEVENI’S, MUHOOZI’s and KAYIHURA’s EXTREME VIOLENCE, BRUTALITY and REPRESSION.

The Free Uganda (FU) view on the way forward for the Freedom Struggle is that Ugandan people must be prepared for any eventuality and all the patriotic forces in the country should empower themselves and the masses in ways that will be effective enough to overpower the reactionary terror machine currently assembled by Yoweri Museveni.

The Freedom Struggle is on!

Written by Dr. Vincent Magombe, Secretary Free Uganda Leadership Committee and Press Secretary FU – 31/03/2016

Besigye Reacts To Supreme Court Ruling (Youtube-Clip)

“Besigye reacted to the dismissal of Mbabazi’s petition saying he has been under house arrest since election day and was not able to file his petition” (NTV Uganda, 2016)

Uganda People’s Defense Force training with help of US Marines (Youtube-Clip)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fob51EC_xXI

“Uganda People’s Defense Force soldiers conducted explosive breaching and demolition familiarization range training with help of US Marines. The Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF), previously the National Resistance Army, is the armed forces of Uganda. From 2007 to 2011, the International Institute for Strategic Studies has estimated the UPDF has a total strength of 40,000–45,000, and consists of Land Forces and an Air Wing.[5]” (…)”After Uganda achieved independence in October 1962, British officers retained most high-level military commands. Ugandans in the rank and file claimed this policy blocked promotions and kept their salaries disproportionately low. These complaints eventually destabilized the armed forces, already weakened by ethnic divisions. Each post-independence regime expanded the size of the army, usually by recruiting from among people of one region or ethnic group, and each government employed military force to subdue political unrest” (Military Zone, 2016).

Another look into the #KaseseAttacks and the reasons for the violence in Bundibugyo and Kasese; as the Albertine and Rwenzori Sub-Region have had big loss of lives; while the Government Security Force have used different reasons for the Post-Election Violence; the IGP Kayihura have claimed: “Yira, Militias, Tribal clashes and Criminal activity for the same actions”; What is right Mr. Police Officer?

Museveni Bundibugyo 28.03.2016

’I have not come here because of politics but because of the people losing their lives and property. Whoever is responsible will suffer the consequences,’ President .Yoweri Kaguta Museveni during today’s visit in Bundibugyo” (NBS TV Uganda, 28.02.2016).

Yesterday President Museveni went around in Kasese District and Bundibugyo district where he was in army fatigue and speaking of the consequence of violence, as his militarized politics could lead into aggravated assaults and killings. The deaths that sparked right after elections and have made people flee their homes and land for IDP Camps. This here will show how the government through the security organizations, as the Police Force and the Army who has acted with violence and not with intelligence; as the rhetoric and information to the media does not add-up. Something I will take you through.

As the violence of Kasese and Bundibugyo district have fleered up and taken scores of lives. Both by Police and civilians; the Police and Army have targeted specific groups after a troublesome local councilor election in the area. Those have opened up wounds from 2014. The Region have been a place of violence, because of the security organs and the police force taking the handpicked individuals while civilians flee from Bundibugyo and living in IDP Camps instead of their homes. The Rwenzori Sub-Region have been put in flames since the election, and there been over a 120 people died during the last two months and many houses been burnt down to the ground. As the Police and Army have helped the men taking sides in the clashes instead of working to make it peaceful, therefore the killings that even was taped we’re directed at Omusinga bwa Rwenzuru’s security guards that even been delegated to him by the government. That is rare incidence and also showing at what level of violence the government forces goes and therefore the fear in the area. Take a look what the King said about the recent actions!

Charles Wesley Mumbere

The Rwenzuru speaks out:

“Omusinga said, “Kayihura cannot rely on someone who hates the kingdom to investigate and address issues affecting the Rwenzori region” (…)“The problems of Rwenzori region have not been handled well and this explains why people are killing each other. A section of people who are against our cultural institution and those that failed to mobilize for the (ruling) party are taking malicious reports to government that we are fighting government. This is not true.” (…)“These were spreading malicious messages that the meeting I had with Dr. Kiiza Besigye contributed to their defeat and yet they failed to organize and talk to me during the recently concluded campaigns,” (Ainganyiza, 2016).

The King says it is not criminal or ethnical acts that has done the trick this time, but a reaction to the recent election and that there been no direct actions against the government; that is said to counter what IGP Kale Kayihura earlier said after being in Rwenzori Sub-Region and using the intelligence from the Police Force, while also not stating the direct killings that happen to the Rwenzururu Kingdom guards that was shot and killed early. While the President was speaking the people in the Bundibugyo area together with Minister Bataringaya were being BOOED by the public because they sees his actions as lazy, since they doesn’t see him doing anything to stop the violence. Under here is more information about on the matter!

Kayihura Kasese Bundibugyo 24.03.2016

What a Government Official has said:

“Jolly Tibamanya, the Bundibugyo district chairperson, said that 31 people were killed during the clashes and 361 houses burnt. He requested the President to improve the presence of security personnel in the sub county. Tibamanya added that several residents have abandoned their gardens for fear of being attacked” (94.3 QFM Lira, 29.03.2016).

On 25th March the Rwenzori Police Spokesperson said this:

“The Rwenzori regional police spokesperson Lydia Tushabe has said that the police are now treating the attackers in the districts of Kasese and Bundibugyo as a militia group” (New Vision, 25.03.2016).

Something the Police left out to tell:

“On Thursday March 24, Bakonjo elders from the highlands of Bundibugyo District gathered to meet with Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura, who has been camping in the Rwenzori sub-region over the recent weeks to tackle the violence that has so far claimed at least 32 lives in Kasese and Bundibugyo districts. After waiting for hours, the elders were informed that Gen Kayihura had flown away and that they would meet another day. Tempers flared, especially because many Bakonjo look at the police chief as a partisan player in the conflict that has pitied them against the Bamba – Babwisi, Basongora and other tribal sub-groups. Mr Christopher Kibanzanga, the MP-elect of Bughendera County in Bundibugyo, however, says his fellow Bakonjo should not worry anymore about Gen Kayihura’s perceived partisanship in the matter, which he says “has been handled”. Mr Kibazanga says Gen Kayihira’s intention was not to snub Bakonjo elders but had to leave Bundibugyo “immediately. “He gave me a call and explained” (Rwenzururu Times, 28.03.2016).

Museveni Bundibugyo 28.03.2016 P2 River

As the Police and Government continues to spread the information on the matter. “Kirumamutima” or Strong Hearted Youth Group was supposed to be behind the matter, and now even the Police Regional Spokesperson Lydia Tushabe claimed a militia, but did need say who. When Lydia says it is a Militia, than it’s either “Kirumamutima” or the Uganda Saving Force (USF), who was one of two groups claiming to be behind the shooting and stealing of guns at Kapchorwa. Still that does not sound like what’s the King or the Politicians in the area claim. The cross-claims and changing statements from the Police and Army does not look well together with the obvious malicious attack on the Kingdoms Security Guards that was even filmed and created an outrage that got even the IGP out of Kampala to search the area. The Police have stopped discussing the Yira Republic because the Public knows that is an excuse for the Security Force to get rid of the men who is not positive towards the ruling regime and the opposition; as the opposition is strong and didn’t want NRM men in councilor in the sub-counties and Rwenzori sub-region. And the Police did not say or want to say to the world that they are taking sides in a fragile situation; that is well-known since the clashes of 2014 is not far from the minds of the people and the Local Councilor III elections was just the last straw and the Police Force together with the army went all in, not with justice or rule of law, but brutally killing.

A Story on how 16 died in Bundibugyo:

“A woman with a baby strapped on her back is found harvesting cocoa (stealing) from plantation that doesn’t belong to her. In a typical mob justice fashion, she is beaten. But with the pang with which she was harvesting the cocoa, she fights back and delivers some cuts to some members of the mob. She is eventually overpowered. She and her child are dead. Her tribesmen come for the man whose cocoa was being nipped. The man (whose cocoa the dead woman was harvesting illegally) is killed by the alleged thief woman’s tribesmen. The thing spirals out of hand and degerates into a tribal clash. And the last time checking? 16 deaths” (Rwenzori Post, 25.03.2016).

Bundibugyo 29.03.2016 IDP Food

As the first sign of peaceful action from the Government:

“Government begins supplying food to the over 10,000 people displaced by tribal clashes in Bundibugyo” (NTV Uganda, 29.03.2016).

The Story is just a sorry reflection of the state of affairs and that the 16 people in the total of death, that died for very little and not even the ballot, but cocoa beans that was stolen. An innocent baby lost the life in those clashes. This proves there are certain animosity in the area and how quickly the melee and violence happens. That kind of actions are local clashes, not militia made, but mob mentality as the Police Force is not in real control of the local policing or violence. As the woman was stealing cocoa, but she deserved to be fined or repay the owner for the stolen cocoa, which would have been the ordinary treatment, not killing her and her baby, together with 14 more people! So it’s sad to know how the killings got out of hand and the clashes is just one out of many in the recent month. If the rest of the killings except for the ones directly going against the kings guards in the Rwenzori Sub-Region, and these killings was neither militia as the woman who stole cocoa was not USF or the so-called “Kirumamutima” so the Police intelligence cannot be that great. First it was tribal, than it was criminal, and not it is militia. So there is either a cover-up or the IGP Kayihura and the local Spokesperson is not speaking the whole truth. We might need a giant Parliament Report as the one that came after the 2014 clashes in the region. This time it fleered up straight after elections and announcement of local councilor in the area. That ended up in clashes and later got fueled into old grievances’ between the tribes in the area as a tool for the Police and Army to try to take more control of the Kasese and Bundibugyo district; as they are in the Rwenzori and Albertine region where also the oil-development is. So the way the NRM-Regime have treated the area and used Machiavellian tactics and now it has backfired.

Bundibugyo 28.03.2016

The worst thing is that President Museveni came in with the tanks and  the Army; while just walking around like a royalty and not asking the locals, but telling people how to be. The Same did the Police Force has done and also not listened or confirmed either with the Rwenzururu King or the Elders of the area. To continue to add further insults to the injury and the killings of relatives. That are now being used for political gain and saying that certain militias or guerrillas are behind it. While the small reports on the ground shows other display or character of violence. Like the Government of Uganda tries to disorganize the Rwenzori sub-region; so they cannot gain anything out of the coming development projects or the planned operations that are in the area. As the Albertine-Region and Rwenzori Sub-Region will have lot to say when coming in the oil-projects, so it seem a little to startling that it happens there and not in other parts of the country. But hey, that is just me. Peace.

Reference:

Ainganyiza, Steven – ‘Rwenzori Attacks: King Wants Independent Investigating Committee’ (28.03.2016) link: http://www.chimpreports.com/rwenzori-attacks-king-wants-independent-investigating-committee/

A Free Uganda Statement on the growing attacks on police stations and other security installations Uganda (29th March 2016)

Kapchorwa March 2016

Despot Museveni’s refusal to step down, after an election that was clearly rigged, is propelling the Ugandan nation to a violent clash between him and the rest of Ugandan citizens.

There is now very little doubt that Ugandans are gearing up for a fight to dislodge Museveni from state house should he fail to step down voluntarily.

And only one man is to blame for this state of affairs – Yoweri Museveni.

Not only did he rig the elections in such a comprehensive manner, but his daily repressive actions against innocent Ugandans, who are merely demanding for their constitutional rights and freedoms, has set the stage for violent show down, which is now more than mere speculation.

Because of the continued arrest and house arrests of freedom struggle leaders like Kizza Besigye and General Sejusa, as well as thousands of other pro-democracy activists, many of whom have disappeared without trace, this, in addition to wanton killings of unarmed civilians, daily tear-gassing of babies, pregnant women and even religious leaders, Ugandans are now realising that all peaceful means of expressing their grievances have been denied to them.

They are now left with little option but to prepare for a big fight to end tragic occupation of state house by a man who was overwhelmingly voted out by the majority of Ugandans.

It is no coincidence that many of the armed groups now launching their initiatory attacks on police stations in places like Sebei and Kasese, by all indications, military or, as it were, well trained people.

Ugandans will remember that the members of Ugandan armed forces, and even the police service, voted overwhelmingly against Yoweri Museveni in the February elections, a fact fully and publically acknowledge by Museveni himself.

The signs are that the men and women in uniform are slowly but steadily joining the People’s Struggle for Freedom.

It is true that a few of the police and UPDF functionaries are still offering their services to Museveni, his son Brigadier Muhoozi and the rogue police general, Kale Kayihura. Those are the ones killing, tear-gassing and intimidating innocent citizens in places like Kasangati, outside Dr. Kizza Besigye’s home.

But, without any shred of doubt, the overwhelming numbers of UPDF soldiers, police and security service functionaries, would love to help rescue their Motherland from Museveni’s illegitimate and illegal terrorist outfit that is falsely claiming to be the government of the Republic of Uganda.

The coming months will prove this to be the case.

The Struggle for Uganda’s freedom is on.