Mzee spells out new guidelines: Don’t think these will fix the open brutality against the dissidents in the Republic!

In yet another letter, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni reveals himself, the character he is and the micro-managing efforts he does have. Instead, of significantly finding the wrongs of himself and his management. He begs to change other peoples ways and tell them directly, where they have to change. Like he forgets that he is the ones that has created this situation and also, the greed for power has costs and the attitude of the public is like this. Because of the amassed wealth of the few, while the rest is scraping by. That is the reality that this President has created, but doesn’t seem to figure out. As well, as the misuse of security organizations to interfere in political atmosphere, creates insecurity, made by orders from above. Meaning him and the rest of the cronies at the State House. That is known, but also overshadowed in his writings.

Yesterday, the President released a letter written on guidelines to Security Organizations within the Republic. Nothing much was new there, but there was concerning aspects. As of the narrative and the ideas coming from the old man. Who is clearly set in his way and writing on default, without much consideration for the other parties, that have been following orders, but now got new guidelines. Apparently.

“Indeed, Uganda has been stable for a long time. It will remain stable. Therefore, nobody should be allowed to threaten life, property or orderliness (obuteeka) in Uganda. If you are a critic, do so truthfully and peacefully” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 28.10.2018).

“The involvement of the SFC, Military Police and CMI in handling law and order issues has been caused by the kawukumi (bean weevils) that had invaded the Police. Otherwise, they should not have been involved and they were never involved. I commend them because the main aims of the government were achieved: to protect the lives of Ugandans and their property. The image of the country was somewhat affected. That, however, will be repaired. What is crucial is the country to be stable and not just to appear stable. Nevertheless, for logical and legal reasons, the army and the other security forces can, if required, backup the Police in Law and Order Management” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni 28.10.2018).

These statements and typical ways of the President. Shows the insight into how he considers the security questions and how he look forward to ease the ways to peace. It is like he cannot see how the CMI, Military Police and Presidential Guards coming in as Police Officers as a problem, because he is the one most likely ordering it and giving the word to the underlings to strike. That is why he doesn’t seem to care about the attitude and the lack of protocol, only that the image is destroyed. However, he asked for, when he ordered torture, when he ordered the CMI and SFC to take matters into their own hands that bargain. That was a given after the melee.

The stability factor, is only because he is stagnant on his post, but the insecurity is rising, when he gives so much power to militarized organizations, who are there to secure the border. Not catch petty thieves or signal to the world, that you don’t steal Micro-Loans Money that was distend to Mzee himself. These public violent arrests, these killings of protesters and of opposition activists, Yasin the driver of Bobi Wine. Are all signs of the oppression and the lack of tolerance within the Republic. Just like the selective arrest of the people in and around Bobi Wine. Who only guilty of association, not of crimes on any levels. Except being loyal to someone else, than the almighty Bosco.

We know, even with these guidelines, more innocent people will die after a riot; more people will end up in a hospital, because the Security Organization and militarized organization will brutally silence the people. By any means people and most likely on orders from Jajja. That is just the way it is.

He can speak of codes, justice and rule of law, but it is not believable, as long as people are ending up for no apparent reason at SIU Kireka and arrested for association to someone else than the President. You know the stakes and stacks of cards is against the rebelling public. They cannot win and the powerful SFC, CMI, ISO and rest of them will silence the voice of dissent, whenever and wherever they might arise. That is just the way it is. Peace.

Reference:

Yoweri Kaguta Museveni – ‘GUIDELINES ON MANAGING RIOTERS, TERRORISTS, CRIMINALS AND LOOTERS AND METHODS OF ARRESTING AND HANDLING SUSPECTS’ 28.10.2018

Kawooya admitted to Kampala Hospital after getting bond: Police Brutality as its worse!

On Thursday the 18th October 2018, in the middle of the street and while people where watching in the street. Armed men was using their guns to hit individual there. His name was Yusuf Kawooya a Young Uganda Democrat (YUD) Member. This was a fierce arrest on Colville Street near King Church in the midst of Kampala. The video of the arrest went viral.

While he was taken for unknown reasons and was arrested with mere brutality, later found out the same people left him detained at the SIU Kireka. Which is sort of the new Nalufenya. The place where you sent when your really into trouble and has issues with the state. Even if Nalufenya is closed, the practices of that place lingers on. The torture and pains of people are evident.

The Police and the Security Organizations of the state was really at it, as the Chief of Military Intelligence (CMI) officers was behind the arrest and detained him. Where they went in on him, apparently. Since on the 24th October, he was released on bond by help from MP Michael Kabaziguruka. So, that he gotten free, after they did all of this, because the Security Organizations alleged that Kawooya hit on Presidents car, when he visited Owino Market on the 6th of October 2018.

This seems more like an attack on the YUD member, which was deliberate and made to show a signal, that he was a “Bad DP”. Like the President has talked about in the past. They sent the men to the streets, they hit with their guns and now after days in arrests. He is released and has to get specialized treatment at Kampala Hospital. That is what the state does to you.

Yusuf is yet another example, in a long list of political operatives who are badly hurt or in constant distress, because of their political affiliation or their message. Something, that has been actively done against the opposition. There are so many walking with Cains and Wheelchairs because of their political stance. That it shows their battle against the dictatorship, as they are victims to his oppression and lack of tolerance.

What we have seen today, is that the victim and not even a prosecuted felon. Has been tortured by the state officers and on bond. Because they think or alleging crimes on him. There is no proof of it, therefore, this a political act to spread more fear. As they did it publicly and has shown no signs of truthful exercise any legal remedies or trying to tell the public what went down. This seems like a show of force and not of an arrest.

This is a bad sign and shows how impunity and lack rule of law. When the ISO, CMI, Special Force Command and other Security Organizations can do this to civilians and get away with it. That he is out on bond is good, but still. With this sort of state, they will pursuit him and prolong the case for years if needed.

Yusuf will be picked up again. Maybe not early, but later. This is not over. Another proof of the violent tyranny of Museveni. Peace.

Today, armed men tortured a civilian in the midst of Kampala!

The Ministry of Peace concerns itself with war, the Ministry of Truth with lies, the Ministry of Love with torture and the Ministry of Plenty with starvation. These contradictions are not accidental, nor do they result from from ordinary hypocrisy: they are deliberate exercises in doublethink”George Orwell (Published in 1984).

Today’s leaked video from Kampala, is the second time in a short time where either Security Forces or trained military men are using weapons to torture people. Last time it was CMI (Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence) Officers or ISO (Internal Security Organization) who was beating up soldiers in Bugiza on the 12th October 2018.

Now, today, there is another one video leaked, as the plain clothed men in broad daylight was hitting on a civilian with their weapons in the ribs. before they abducted him into the car. Clearly there is something sinister going as these men was allowed to do so. Just like the men in Bugiza who was Security Officials beating the suspects up in cars.

The report from the street is this:

During a broad daylight in Kampala city, Uganda near Theatre Labonita. First tortured and later driven away in a PSV vehicle registration No. UAF 325 S to unknown destination” (Aaron Ainomugisha, 18.10.2018).

There was plenty of witnesses of this crime done in the midst of Kampala. We don’t know which organization they comes from and why they picked this man up. This is mere violence, an expression of the lack of procedure or rights for the people. As the Security Officials can beat on you for no reason and take you to an unknown destination. When they can hit you like these gentlemen did with their weapons. Who knows what they will do to him in the car.

This sort of leaked video of the horrific scenes shows the blatant impunity that is happening in the Republic. That they were allowed to do this and it is terrifying that this is happening. This is a sign of free rampant display of possible state sanctioned violence. That not even the ending of the power of Boda Boda 2010 could stop. There are clearly more groups who are allowed and you can wonder where these people reside. As they we’re allowed to do this in the midst of Kampala.

That the security and the lack of respect of people’s value are evident. As this was mafia style of sanctioned violence, as they were beating on him and shown the people who was ruling. Before riding away in the Toyota Hiace type of car. Looking like any random taxi in the Old Taxi Park.

Therefore, this shows that the army, the police and the government are letting violence get out of hand. This is the second time within a week these sort of videos has leaked of security personnel violently attacking people in public. Who knows what happens behind closed doors. We known some of safe-houses and Nalufenya, but who knows what is hidden behind the surface.

What else sinister is going on to the enemies of the state and the ones who are in the way of the elite and the ruling regime. Peace.

UPDF: Arrest of Four Suspected Armed Criminals in Areas of Buziga-Kampala (13.10.2018)

The Police Force enforcing a colonial law when they are: “allowed to kill”

Some days you wonder, you wonder why the authorities is doing what they are doing. When the stakeholders were in shock yesterday. The truth is by law to quell to riots and demonstrations are they lawfully allowed to quell by brutal means, as these laws was installed while still being a protectorate and no one has seemed to wanted to amend or repeal this part of the Penal Code Act, which by all means gives the Uganda Police Force. Possibilities beyond usual measures of arrests without warrants or even imposing the Public Order Management Act of 2010. This is an inherited law that the National Resistance Movement and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has no issues with keeping alive.

Statement UPF Statement with stakeholders:

“We have engagement rules, where we are supposed to use excessive force,” Mugenyi said. “That is why we have these. That is why I am armed and you are not. The state is allowed to kill.” “We can kill you and even compensate you,” Mugenyi went on as the stakeholders looked on in shock” (Joshua Nahamya – ‘The State Is Allowed to Kill – AIGP Mugenyi’ 10.10.2018 link: https://chimpreports.com/the-state-is-allowed-to-kill-aigp-mugenyi/).

As you see yesterday, the AIGP is sadly right, they have the rights to do so. This is shows the possible legal ramifications and the costs can easily be pushed on the private person attending the rally and resisting the law-enforcement. I wish it wasn’t like this, but they are allowed to do so, when they are quelling riots and demonstrations, as these laws was made to stop protests against the King and Commonwealth. These laws was not made to ensure civic rules or democratic values in the Republic. That is why they sound like this!

Penal Code Act of 1950 Chapter VII subsection 69:

“If upon the expiration of a reasonable time after the proclamation is made, or after the making of the proclamation has been prevented by force, twelve or more persons continue riotously assembled together, any person authorised to make the proclamation, or any police officer or any other person acting in aid of that person or police officer, may do all things necessary for dispersing the persons so continuing assembled or for apprehending them or any of them, and if any person makes resistance, may use all such force as is reasonably necessary for overcoming such resistance and shall not be liable in any criminal or civil proceeding for having, by the use of such force, caused harm or death to any person” (Penal Code of 1950).

Nevertheless, the brutality and the legality should still be in question, as this should be the last resort, not the first, not the second, but the final straw. When it is boiling over and no-control, before anarchy, however, the Uganda Police Force and Uganda People’s Defence Force are using these measures to easily and haven’t exhausted the different approaches even. As the person isn’t only supposed to be on the streets, but resist arrest to a certain degree, at which point the law-enforcement is not legally liable for the harm or death. That shows the brutality of the measure, which was enacted in 1950 and lingers until this day.

The NRM have surely not tried to discuss or even given a fig about the justification or reverse this law. AS that hasn’t been in their interests, as they wanted the same possibilities to silence the opposition and their demonstrations. That is clearly been the outcome. The NRM didn’t change this, because of their will-power to control and silence opposition. If they had democratic values, they would have amended this or repealed this sub-section of the Penal Code. However, they prefer being colonial masters to their citizens, than treating them as fellow citizens, but subjects underneath their demi-god Museveni. Peace.

NRM MPs bought for cheap: 2nd Mobile Money vote cost less than an Audi R8 Quattro!

Today, it is revealed what the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Members of Parliaments (MPs) was promised on the 1st October at the Entebbe State House on the day before the second time voting for the newly enacted taxes, which are on Social Media and Mobile Money. Clearly, the President and his allies wanted to sweeten the juice, as they was promised some more money. Not that it was much.

During the meeting, legislators (according to our source) were promised 15 millions each to vote “No” opposing the scrapping off of 0.5% as proposed by MP Wilfred Niwagaba last week when the bill had reached committee stage. In the vote, 164 MPs agreed to maintain the levy on mobile money while 124 voted to have it scrapped. A total of 288 legislators were present and voted” (Moses Namayo – ‘MPs promised Shs 15m each for vote to keep mobile money tax- Reports’ 03.10.2018, link: http://nilepost.co.ug/2018/10/03/mps-promised-shs-15m-each-for-vote-to-keep-mobile-money-tax-reports/).

I would have been thinking that the MPs would be more costly, if not their greed is making them cheap and Bosco knows it. As they are now accepting to get a small pickle push of 15 million shillings or $ 3,924 USD, which is less than 4,000 dollars each. When your hearing that, you surprised how little that is to keep a tax, which is hurting huge part of the population and also making every transaction more expensive. They are still making it expensive and costly for the public to takeout money through the mobile money. In a Republic where it is costly to even be ordinary banking.

That is why it weird and sad that these NRM MPs are that cheap, that Bosco can pay them off with only 4,000 USD or 15 million shillings. If you take it all collectively, there was a 164 MPs who voted for it and adding up. That would be a total 640m shillings or $167k USD. Which is not more worth than one 2018 Audi R8 Quattro, which costs $164,900. If a few more had voted for keeping the Mobile Money, than Bosco might have used the amount for an upgraded version: “The R8 Spyder convertible costs $177,100, and the more-powerful R8 Plus will cost about $194,400” (Cherise Threewitt – ‘ Cars That Cost $100,000’ 28.09.2018, link: https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/cars-that-cost-100-grand).

So, the NRM MPs isn’t really that expensive, their ideals, their egos and their greed isn’t costing more than super Audi R8 Quattro. That is expensive enough for me to never in my life-time to touch it. But if someone should be bribed to sell out their constituents for a destructive tax. All done in favor of Bosco. The pay-off should be bigger, there should be enough for a car-park filled with Audi R8 Quattro’s. Not just selling out for one. I was disappointed, when the Age Limit pay-off, wasn’t costing more than one Aston Martin. Now it costed an Audi R8. Clearly, the NRM is still traded off for cheap. Peace.

Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine statement on the Second Passing of the Mobile Money Tax (02.10.2018)

Today I attended Parliament after some time, for the sole purpose of making our voice heard on the mobile money tax. The government has deliberately avoided a discussion on the social media tax!

Majority of the NRM Members of Parliament voted to maintain the mobile money tax. 164 MPs voted in favor of the tax while 124 of us voted to have it scrapped. I know that we are all disappointed but not surprised.

Once again, a majority of our elected representatives ignored the cries and pleas of the common person. I have made it clear to my colleagues that we must learn to side with the people or the people will despair. They cannot continue to further oppress the already oppressed citizens of this country.

I must appreciate all colleague MPs who voted for the removal of the tax. Special thanks to the many NRM MPs who defied the intimidation and voted with the people. From experience, we know that they will be persecuted for taking a contrary stand. But I know that the reward for doing what is right always outweighs any form of persecution.

Ultimately, all these things emphasise what I have been saying- our redemption will not come from anywhere else. It will come from us. We only need to realise that all power lies with us. If our own MPs, elected by us, cannot listen to us on anything, including redeeming us from exploitative taxes, then we must realise that WE ARE ON OUR OWN and work each day to liberate ourselves. No one else will do. Teli kuzikiza.

Uganda: The Excise Duty (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, 2018

Pre Mobile Money Tax: BOU registered significant growth in FY2017/18!

Today, there is a new vote and amendment of the Mobile Money in the Parliament. They voted like blind drones in the last go-around and most likely to do the same. With a little flair and jippo, hoping the hungry hippo isn’t mad. However, the reality remained, that a growing market, a market where the revenue and natural growth could have resided. The National Resistance Movement and their President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, went in like bulldozer. Hoping it wouldn’t destroy it, but actually gain. It is foolish, but that is how they act.

That is why it is special to read again, what where there, but what is now hurt:

“Mobile money services continued to register significant growth in the year ended June 2018. The number of mobile money transactions increased to 1.3 trillion for the year to June 2018 from 1.1 trillion transactions in the prior year. The corresponding value of mobile money transactions increased to UGX 73.1 trillion from UGX 52.8 trillion in the previous year. However, the number of registered mobile money users decreased from 22.8 million in June 2017 to 22.7 million as at end of June 2018, largely attributed to the deregistration of mobile money accounts whose users had not submitted the requisite KYC credentials to maintain their registration status. Growth of mobile money activity has significantly benefited from diversified usage beyond the initial remittances, airtime purchases and bills payments. New developments such as bank account to mobile money wallet and vice versa, have significantly changed the conduct of banking business and increased convenience of access to banking services. In addition, customers are now also able to save and borrow through their mobile money accounts which has positive knock-on effects to financial intermediation in general” (Bank of Uganda Annual Report 2017/2018).

We know post- June 2018, that the landscape has changed. Even mere month after the Mobile Money tax, the usage went down and the companies we’re sending red-signals to the authorities. The added revenue stream to government, didn’t met up to par or the levels anticipated, as people changed their pattern and usage of money. Because, who want to pay double or triple tax for sending money? Than, they rather hire a boda to drive the money from town to town. It can even be cheaper, than paying the Uganda Revenue Authority or the MTN for their services.

Clearly, this little snippet of the report from the Bank of Uganda, should show the Members of Parliament, the importance of Mobile Money. Which, they had no trouble with interfering in and also possibly hurt. This are for the ones that cannot afford ordinary banking services or for the ones, in the villages that are too far away to even register their cash there. They should matter to the MPs, but they didn’t before, as they took this informal banking services through the Cellphone providers and added more pain. Instead of finding ways to grow it and expand. So more people could benefit from the new money unleashed on the market this way. Peace.

Uganda Police Force: Kampala Metropolitan Police operation targeted a Terrorist Cell in Lubaga Division (29.09.2018)