Tag: Delta TV
Election Timeline in Uganda: From 1st September to 19th November 2015
Analysis of elections so far in Uganda:
I will go back to 2 and a half months will follow it chronically, to prove how it all has gone. That means I start on the 1st September till to today, to prove that I will not continuation of the Presidential Rallies, I will address them in the future if there are actions or quotes that are need for follow up. Because now it’s going into the stage that the follow up feels like a rewind of what that has happen yesterday instead of bringing the news. Because what I does now will be to set the last around 80 days in perspective and prove the value of the changes on the ground.
This here is kind of a follow-up of this one:
Uganda President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Campaign of Fear for 2016 Presidential Election
This here piece is more of a timeline and not on the actual words expressed; this here is about the actions of the NRM-Regime against opposition parties and also against their own during these months.
So we all can get a feel on the aspects and perspective of it all, instead of following the campaign trails, instead of thinking and analyzing the events and acts of the people who makes this election and polls matter.
On the 1st September in Mbabara there were three men in Team Amama Mbabazi getting detained for wearing Amama Mbabazi T-Shirt. The Police did that day claim that they were staging an illegal procession in town. Second claim was the political activist was stealing from the Centenary Bank.
In Kampala the 1st September Norman Tumuhimbise of the Jobless Brotherhood was kicked out his own home, because the landlord couldn’t stand how the police was detaining him and wanted peace, therefore the activist lost his home for working for a better Uganda.
2nd September Amanya Mugesha said this: “You are taking me back to my first answer. I don’t believe in saviors, I have seen it…there are things you will do by leading others…by advising your successors than leaving the grave to advise them…it’s not a question of defeating Museveni, it’s about if you are to be in power, what organisation is likely to lift Ugandans out of this situation. Is the priority strong leaders or strong institutions? But I have told you that the graves are full of indispensable leader”. This was the way he was talking about Dr. Kizza Besigye right before the decision on who’s supposed to become the FDC Flag-Bearer for the general election at the FDC Conference the same day.
4th September Gilbert Bukenya returns his nomination forms for becoming TDA Joint-Presidential Flag-Bearer and in his press release writes: “They are handed money in bags instead of teaching them to look for their own money. These sharks don’t want to teach the poor “to fish”but want to give them fish making them beggars. This must change”. He surely changed his mind. We will come back to that.
Other actions that happen on the 4th of September, Dr. Aggrey Kiyingi wanted to pick forms to be nominated as a presidential aspirant, but the Electoral Commission could not confirm him as a Ugandan National, therefore he could not get a form for the EC. And his aide Frank Bulira was apprehended in his own home before going to offices of Electoral Commission.
5th September Dr. Tanga Odoi the chairman of the National Resistance Movement Electoral Commission postponed the internal election to the 10th of September.
8th September after protesting the land-grabbing in Amuru District; the protest is for the sale of Apaa village that gave way to the imprisonment of Member of Parliament Gilbert Olanya. Also 3 people in the village killed and a group of people seeking treatment at the Amuru Health Center.
9th September in Soroti where Amama Mbabazi we’re he was to have a consultation meeting in town. He had filled in the letters and forms to the Electoral Commission and UPF to hold a meeting. The UPF still showed up and harassed the public and threw tear-gas into the venue.
10th September in Jinja where the David Kyasanku; the town clerk in town, at the last minute dismissed the venue for the consultation meeting. The UPF had used the venues the last two days before and the town clerk was afraid of losing money to rent it for political use. So when the Team Amama Mbabazi tried to have his consultation meeting it got wild and even more tear-gas then in Soroti the day before.
12th September PM Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda stated this: “We have today learnt, with great sadness, of the sudden death of Hon Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, the Minister of Internal Affairs. General Aronda Nyakairima was returning from South Korea, on official duties, transiting through Dubai. The cause of his death is not yet known. His family has been informed. Government has set up a task force, led by Defence Minister, Hon Dr Crispus Kiyonga, to coordinate all matters relating to this tragedy”.
The same day on the 12th of September Amama Mbabazi went into the Opposition alliance and at the same time delivering a form for the spot of Joint Presidential Candidate for the TDA.
14th September IGP Kale Kayihura address the tear-gas events recently this way: “Don’t blame the police (for firing tear gas and live bullets at Mr Mbabazi’s supporters). Blame Mbabazi who organized and held illegal rallies in a market and near the schools. Don’t blame the consequences, blame the cause”.
16th September the FDC Youth Forum wanted to part ways with the TDA because of Amama Mbabazi inclusion to the Opposition Alliance.
17th September the NRM Poor Youth stated: “If TDA summit consider Col Besigye Its presidential candidate, NRM POOR YOUTH FORUM will request Hon Amama Mbabazi to contest on Go Forward Ticket”.
20th September, Dr. Tanga Odoi verifies the Presidential Nomination form for Yoweri Kaguta Museveni as the NRM Flag-Bearer.
24th September the TDA had not been able to pick either Amama Mbabazi or Dr. Kizza Besigye as joint candidate. This because: “CP and FDC have endorsed the candidature of Col (Rtd) Dr. Kizza Besigye; while DP, Go-Forward Pro-Change, PPP, UFA, and UPC have endorsed the candidature of Rt Hon Amama Mbabazi”.
25th September the Parliament will read the new Election laws in the country. These we’re the Presidential Elections (Amendments) Bill 2015, Parliamentary Elections (Amendments) Bill 2015 and the Electoral Commission (Amendment) Bill 2015. These laws went through the Parliament and had their first reading.
25th September, Amama Mbabazi said this: “Members of The Democratic Alliance: I accept your nomination.” (…)”To my fellow candidates Mr. Norbert Mao and Professor Gilbert Bukenya – I salute your sense of duty and your willingness to put our country first. I look forward to working with you, for it is your help I want and your help I seek; and our cooperation that our country desires and deserves. I am certain that the doors of cooperation are still open to Dr. Kizza Besigye of the FDC. Let us leave the quarrels of the past behind in favour of unity”.
25th September resent in the FDC send a letter to the Electoral Commission to seek time for a new nomination date for their Presidential Flag-Bearer Dr. Kizza Besiyge.
29th September three FDC members were arrested for demonstrating against the new Electoral Reforms. The persons we’re Mubarak Munyagwa the Mayor of Kawempe, Nasurdin Basalirwa the FDC Youth Chairman for Kampala and Hamidah Nalongo Nassimbwa the VC of FDC Woman’s League in Central Region.
29th September the NRM Electoral Commission and Dr. Tanga Odoi postponed the Internal Elections again; this time to 5th and 6th October.
2nd October the Parliament passed the new Electoral laws that was set for reading in Parliament at the 25th September.
2nd October the Electoral Commission has moved the dates in the Election Road map for 2016. The Electoral Commission has set new dates and the nomination days for Presidential Nomination are set for 3rd and 4th November. This happen the same day as the new laws that was passed in Parliament.
9th October Gilbert Bukenya does a U-Turn and get back into the fold of the NRM after being not seen as qualified enough to be TDA Joint Presidential Candidate and will now support yet again YKM in his race for 2016.
10th October the Police stopped the FDC convoy going for consultation meeting in Rukungiri. The Police was heavy deployed in the town and scattered. Even with the cars destroyed and FDC people of Rukungiri jailed. Wasn’t the worst of the Police actions they undressed a female activist during the raids on the convoy. They ended in the Lyantonde Prision until local FDC members got a whined off the leadership of the FDC.
11th October FDC members who freed the other men from prison the day before had to go to jail. These people where the FDC chairman in town Yusuf Matovu, oman’s secretary of town Yudaya Naiga and Chairman of the Town-Council Richard Kayondo.
13th October first reports from the NRM Primaries. In Ngarama the reactions between two candidates led to the police shooting with rubber bullets. In Sembabule the NRM Party Office got burned down. In Kyannamukaaka in Masaka District they burned Membership Cards in anger after election rigging. In Isingiro at the NRM Party Office they we’re burning documents from the Election of 2011.
Also on the 13th October Bank of Uganda took over the management of Imperial Bank Uganda Limited.
14th October there was the first reading in Parliament over the Public Finance Management (Amendment) Bill of 2015. This bill if passed gives the Government to take out short-term-loans without permission of the Parliament.
14th October the FDC members was in prison overnight in Lyantonde, this is the FDC members who helped their other FDC leaders out of prison were in court after their weekends actions. They all got free after paying bail to the magistrate.
14th October in a famous home in Wakiso on the outside of Kampala where Dr. Kizza Besigye lives; the police decided to do a preventative arrest of the FDC leader. He and other FDC leaders were supposed to go to the Western-Uganda for consultation meetings.
15th October both Dr. Kizza Besigye and Ibrahim Nganda Ssemujja got both arrested and house arrest that day. They both we’re driven in between police stations in Kampala. While they we’re jailed in Kampala there was FDC members in Jinja who was supposed to be a part of consultation meeting in town. That led to the FDC leader of Jinja and other scores of people was hurt by the shootings of the Police in Jinja town that today.
18th October IGP Kale Kayihura told the world this:
“We are advising that you propose postpone program. Give Police notice! As required by the law. Within the law and ensure the party presidential aspirant, Dr. Kizza Besigye precide, conduct himself in line with the Presidential Elections Act Section 3 as well as the Elections Road Map and Guidelines as an Presidential Aspirant given by the Electoral Commission”.
20th October CP Fred Enanga said this:
“We are already aware of broths and conspiracies, but we are committing to promote rule of law, peace and stability. We want to warn this unpatriotic Ugandans that which mix politics with our nations security. That such anarchy an act of recklessness, by suffocating the media and the public with falsehoods will actually be failed their political mileage. You cannot achieve any political mileage by triggering violence and chaos”.
21st October in Bugiri there was set up metal trenches or teeth on the road. FDC opened their new Mobilization office in town. The Police was in the town and even in some Police was a part of the meeting of the new office in Bugiri. They we’re in town with heavy weaponry shielding the venue. In Tororo the police followed the procession to the consultation meeting of the FDC. They opened the roadblocks so that FDC could have the meeting in Tororo.
22nd October the FDC member Muhamad Ssegiringya was released on bond. He was one of the demonstrators against the digitalization of TVs, if you remember the demonstration with the Youth with TVs on their heads?
22nd October the Human Rights Activist Allan Kitonsa Ssava was released on bond the day and said: “I was arrested and charged armed robbery as I was found speaking to the youth of Namutumba district”.
24th October Amama Mbabazi stated:
“I will not be attending the NRM delegates conference slated for October 30th. Instead I will be focused on preparing for my nomination” (…)”I encourage all supporters of Go Forward to remain patient and calm as our team prepares us for nomination. I am truly looking forward to launching the campaign, and engaging voters across the country”.
26th October there was again discussion and negotiation between Amama Mbabazi and Dr. Kizza Besigye this time in London together with the Kofi Annan Foundation.
26th October the NRM EC postponed the Party Primary to the 27th October.
In the NRM Primaries in 26th October in Ngoma Sub County a business man trying to bribe voters was jailed. In Kirahura the main candidate lost his life during a car accident and it got postponed. In Sembabule in the town of Mwogola, there was shootings and teargas in town. In Kinkiizi East one of the candidates had a car accident in the car they found pre-ticket ballots. In Kasese an MP was caught with trying to bribe votes and his car got impounded. In Mbale 32 people was jailed for planning to disrupt the voting in Bungokho South.
27th October in the NRM Primaries the ballot-boxes was already filled before voting started in Ajuri District. In Adjumani an MP was having a mobilization team to bribe voters in the district. In Bukedea there was 7 people arrested for election violence. Rubanda West a candidate was found with 16,000 pre-ticket ballot-papers and therefore the election was postponed. In Iganga NRM members was disappointed that they started to burn their membership cards. In Isingiro North there was found boxes with pre-ticket ballots and a candidate got caught in the market trying to buy votes. In Kabarole the journalist was not allowed to follow the elections. Lwengo a dozen candidates was caught with pre-ticket ballot-papers. In Kumi there had escalated into violence. In Ntungamo there was a candidate who was found with a 1000 fake membership cards and ballot-papers pre-ticket. In Busia there was found at one candidates place pre-ticket ballot-papers. In Kiyandongo the NRM Flag-Bearer are detained and charged for election rigging.
28th October there was held more NRM Primaries and at the Bbale Police Station the incumbent Sulaiman Madada got detained yesterday for attempting to run away with the declaration form. In Mbabara because of election rigging “the DPC says up to 50 suspects were arrested in a swoop, from which the ringleaders will be singled out and charged”.
29th October the NRM Primaries continues and in Burashya district in Kabarole the Police had to intervene because of the different supporters was fighting after the results came in. There was so much violence that the bridge of Katanda broke down. In Kanungu there were more Special Forces and police voting then ordinary voters. In Ruhinda county Captain Mugabe Domonzio Kahonda who won over Gen. Otafiire in the Primaries in the district has finally been released, but, there is a big but! He has to meet before Jinja High Court tomorrow!
31st October the NRM Primaries and in Abletong reports were saying: “When time came for collecting polling materials and results, the police and the soldiers did not allow us to go to the polling stations. Soldiers were using the vehicles belonging to the District Internal Security Officer, OC station and that of the town council,” Mr Owino told Daily Monitor”. In Amudat many NRM members burned their NRM membership cards. In Kibaale where the reports were: “Police fired tear gas at National Resistance Movement party supporters in Kisiita sub-county, Kibaale district who were protesting results of the recent primaries”. The same day, Enoch Matovu, a correspondent for a local television, NTV, in Mityana District was reportedly shot on the head while covering an incident of vote rigging during the NRM party elections at Bulera police station in Mityana district. He sustained a bullet injury on his head.
31st October the Lord Mayor of Kampala Erias Lukwago arrested and is detained in Maganjo Police Station.
1st November there Uganda Police Force and IGP Kale Kayihura was claiming that they only knew about the NRM Presidential Nomination rally at Kololo and FDC rally at Nakivubo Stadium, but not the Go-Forward rally for Amama Mbabazi the same day as NRM at Kololo. Even though it later appeared that the NRM had sent in the letter late to Electoral Commission compared to the Public Order Management Bill, while Go-Forward had followed the instructions in time. The Police had to later go back on their words and said that received the letters from Go-Forward after all.
2nd November Beatrice Anywar deflected from FDC to Go-Forward.
3rd November the first day of Nomination started with Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of NRM in Kololo and later in the day Amama Mbabazi of the Go-Forward. Professor Venasius Baryamureeba also started his presidential campaign. One of candidates who have now returned his Presidential candidacy is Nasser Ntege Ssebaggala the former Mayor of Kampala.
4th November the second day of Nominations. Adam Bwainka of the People’s Development Party arrived at Namboole for the nominations today on a boda-boda. He has said this today: “If we are going to turn around our Economy. We must be firm on our Education”. But the day wasn’t about him. “The Blue siege of the city, the energy of our young people! We have a sacred duty to engage our youths to build a stronger prosperous Uganda” – Asuman Kiyingi. The town and nominations was about FDC and its Flag-bearer Dr. Kizza Besigye. Who made Kampala go into a shutdown; other candidates we’re who wanted to be nominated was Joseph Mabirizi of The Independent Coalition. The only female Presidential Aspirant Maureen Faith Kyala was first turned away not accepted, but arrived later at the same time as the other TIC candidate was then verified. Maj. Gen. Ben Biiaro of the Farmers Party came 5 minutes before the deadline to get his nomination verified. The Electoral Commission started and scrutinized the nomination papers of his. After a while Dr. Kiggundu stamped and appends the papers. This means that he became the 8th candidate in the Presidential race for February 2016.
On the 4th November – Official from the Electoral Commission:“BREAKING: Uganda Electoral Commission sets February, 18, 2016 as polling day for president and MPs”.
5th November in Mubende after the NRM Primaries the supporters of one candidate protested. This led to the Police shooting and tear-gas to disperse the procession in the area.
7th November on that day, the minister for Presidency and KCCA, Hon. Frank K Tumwebaze has handed over nine brand new Isuzu double cabin pickup trucks to the RDCs of Karamoja and Rwenzori regions.The vehicles valued at 145m each were handed over to the RDCs of Abim, Napak, Moroto, Nakapiripirit, Kaboong, Amudat, Kotido, Kamwenge and Kasese districts at a function graced by the Secretary, Office of The President, Ms. Deborah Katuramu and the media. More on the NRM Primaries: “Junior minister for Lands Idah Nantaba has been flown to Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi for specialized treatment after police subdued her with pepper spray following a confrontation at Kayunga Police Station in the chaotic NRM primaries”.
Also on the 7th November the UPF reported: Minister of state for Internal affairs, Honorable James Boliba Baba has today launched twenty seven (27) regional Joint security Operation Centers with the aim of further enhancing crime reduction & management at a regional level. These centers will work hand in hand with the security teams within the districts. The regional centers will also work very closely with the Joint Operations Command center at the national level. The function took place at police headquarters & was attended by representatives from UPDF, UPF, UPS, ESO,ISO, DPP. All regional Police commanders were in attendance. The launch was also attended by Mr Stephen Kagoda, the P.S Ministry of Internal affairs”.
9th November the NRM had a plan: “The NRM is now on the move to Neutralize #Goforward Msge saying they are the ones going forward and in effect it resonates with the No Change Slogan”. Muhamad Kikomeko who is a support of the Amama Mbabazi escapes death in Sembabule, a group attacked his car and burned his car.
9th November reports was saying: “A well-placed source at the Ministry of Finance has told Watchdog that President Museveni ordered the Ministry to arrange for him Shs500 billion. The source suspects the money is meant to fund Museveni’s campaign”. The chief made the remarks while speaking to residents at his home in Guru-guru village Lamogi Sub-county, Amuru District, while receiving a new Pajero donated to him by Mr Museveni on Friday. n Kabale there has been a Radio Panelist who first escaped from arrest after orders from the Resident District Commissioner Darius Naninda who tried to catch the Anti-Corruption Activist who was taking part of a show on the Kabala Freedom Radio (Mughisa, 2015). Later is seen that he has a warrant on inciting violence. The Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC) is deeply concerned about the safety of Ugandan refugees Musa Isabirye and Timothy Yamin who were deported to Uganda by Botswana Government last week. They have previously been active in opposition politics in Uganda and could face persecution, imprisonment or torture there. Professor Venasius Baryamureeba after day will suspend his campaign because of weak campaign security provided by the Electoral Commission and the Government.
10th November the Police gave the public some words on the their tear-gas: “The Deputy Spokesman Polly Namaye: “The Police Policy is to ensure as little engagement with the public terms of crowd control. We will only use means such as tear gas where absolutely necessary” (…)”The decision, according to the source, could also informed by the fact that the force wants to avoid using expired stock”. Even Amama Mbabazi supporters are currently detained at Namataba Police Station. Go Forward’s PRO Mayanja Nkangi says they have been told those in police custody committed the offence of ‘driving a car with machines’. Five Journalists and photographers who were covering President Museveni rallies in Nakaseke and Nakasongola were arrested and detained. They were forced to delete all there photos and videos.
11th November At around 2.00am this morning, 11th November 2015, TIC Presidential Candidate Elton Joseph Mabirizi heard a knock on his hotel room. When he asked who it was, the assailant said : “I am your bodyguard”. So he opened. It turned out that it was not his bodyguard but two strange men. So there been reports that Presidential Mabirizi were abducted and kidnaped. n Kijabijo (Gayaza Karagi Road). The community says «they need power back». They have spent 4 months since the transformer was taken by UMEME. So they have put fires into the main roads as a demonstration against the government and UMEME for taking away electricity.
12th November because of the road quality Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in Abletong he drove with Personal Armored Carriers in the area to get to the venue in Abletong to have his rally! He needed the Army vehicles to get around and he has been in charge since 1986.
13th November this happen: Museveni expels NTV from his media team after what he called unbalanced reporting on him. As per now, NTV journalists are being escorted back to Kampala by soldiers of the Special Forces Command. Daily monitor was also warned of a possible closure should their reporting continue to ‘favor’ the opposition ‘against’ Mr. Museveni. In Mbrarara: “About 200 angry supporters of the ruling National Resistance Movement in Mbarara district this morning denounced the party and proclaimed support for the Forum for Democratic Change”. In Masaka: “More NRM party members, including councillors from Masaka sub-region, have defected to the Go-Forward camp, declaring their support for Mr Amama Mbabazi’s presidential bid”.
14th November this happen with UPC members that day:” Over a 1000 former supporters of UPC and FDC crossed over to the NRM and were introduced to the Chairman of NRM, President Museveni, by the Vice Chairman of NRM for Northern, Hon. Sam Engola”.
14th November the rumor of a deal between Jimmy Akena the President of UPC and Yoweri Kaguta Museveni the incumbent President of the Country was surfacing.
15th November the Police had to say to the public that the Nominations for Lord Mayor of Kampala should not storm the Electoral Commission the next day.
16th November the Police detained Lord Mayor of Kampala Erias Lukwago after sieging his house where they shot the journalist and TV Reporter Enock Kugonza. Also Councilor Mariam Kizito was detained at the same time. The public around the house of Lukwago was also hurt.
16th November two persons of Sauti ya Vijana became impersonated for petitioned the ruling leader to go away from power and let somebody else run their country.
16th November before the Amama Mbabazi rally in Hoima the Police had to scatter the public with tear-gas; they just can’t help themselves. In Rubanda this was reported: “Police arrest 20 youth with sticks in 2 vehicles moving towards Rubanda, Kabale. This happens as the NRM Primaries is underway”.
17th November in Kaiiro where the NRM Primaries we’re held 5 Supporters was taken into custody after inciting violence, they found pangas and spears. There was a cabinet reshuffle after orders from the Yoweri Kaguta Museveni: “
Mr. Kirunda Kivejinja – Rt. Hon. 3rd Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East African Affairs; Madame Rose Akol – Minister of Internal Affairs; Mr. Werikhe Kafabusa – Minister of State for Industry.
18th November for the independent Candidate Maureen Faith Kyala statement: “I am shocked with what I am discovering during my presidential campaign trail. How did we Ugandans; become slaves in our own land? E.g, I found the people of Lyirimbi in Bugiri district being enslaved by Chinese “investors” who had come to do the Musta-Namayingo road, with alleged permission to destroy our natural forest reserves and tourist hills of Lyirimbi”. Alert: “We have been reliably informed that 3 of our FDC youth leaders were kidnaped from Mbarara and transfered to the notorious police in Kireka in a Kampala suburb, there are accurate information that points to them being tortured! Kireka is a renown military torture chamber. Among the kidnapped include Mr. Mayanja Micheal, he was part of Dr. Besigyes Security team during FDC flagbearer campaigns and also on nomination day, he earns a living as a commuter driver, Mr. Yasin Mastiko from Ruti a Mbarara suburb on Mbarara-Kabale road , he is self employed and Mr. Bampagyi ,a Boda-boda operator( motor cyclist) in Mbarara Municipality”.
19th November the UPC Woman MP for UPC Joy Ruth Aceng told the crowds that day: “That Mbabazi called northerners monkeys and as such her party has decided to join Museveni in the elections”. At the rallies of FDC Dr. Kizza Besigye at Butebo in Paliisa district the we’re given scores of NRM membership cards to show that they we’re tired of the ruling party. Police commanded by Siraje Bakaleke has barricaded the road to the returning officer’s office, only few vehicles allowed. Lukwago supporters have had to fight Police to make way to the nomination venue. Lord Mayor of Kampala Erias Lukwago we’re able to be nominated for the race for mayor again in the capital. Since the KCCA Act Amendments got shelved for the moment of time. Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) President Jimmy Akena’s declaration supporting an alliance with the ruling NRM has touched off a rebellion in his party. There will be demonstration from different wings of the UPC next Wednesday. Paul Kato of Hoima was arrested as well. He is the Hoima District Registrar and was charged with theft at the Hoima Magistrate Court. The alleged crime we’re that he took the 10 Million Shillings meant to be paid to the Police officers. Because of this the Election results will be delivered by Deputy Registrar Maureen Businge.
Aftermath:
That sets things in perspective doesn’t it? Doesn’t it give you a feeling how the police and government has been working. How the political shifts is happening. And this is just in two and half month time; not the whole 2015. This is the kind of thing the Monitor or Chimpreport doesn’t deliver. Because the big picture and time proves how the movements are. We can see UPC and NRM has moved together and made the UPC/Akena and UPC/Otunnu is proving to surface. Also the DP has moved strongly with Go-Forward. Lukwago has more trouble. The Electoral Commission is proved to be a tool of the ministries and not following laws, but following instructions from the NRM-Regime. It proves it is not a independent body to check and balance the electoral process.
The NRM Primaries has proven how little structure the ruling party has and inefficiency of their ways. The constant rigging and ballot-paper malfunctions. The general basis of leaders and incumbent jailed. Supporters shot at and use of tear-gas. There are so many words who can describe the recent events; Also the Police interaction in the election and also internal polling stations. We can also see how the journalist and media people who has been shot and dismissed. Had to delete material, been told off and also sent away with Special Forces Unit. The way the opposition had a hard time to hold consultation meetings while the NRM regime could have giant meetings around the country.
The way the Police was telling at a set of time they knew nothing about the Go-Forward Nomination meeting in Kampala, and hours later the letters resurfaced. We have seen that Go-Forward and TDA has been in talks with FDC and Dr. Kizza Besigye; which shows maturity and negotiations between the parties, though they didn’t leave to anything of set value for the moment. There been movement and will be like that up-to 18th February 2016. More dirt will happen. Especially after the Papal visit; then we will see the true color of the Police and the NRM-Regime. Trust me. Peace.
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UPF Press Release on Yesterday actions in Kampala (16.11.2015) + NBS Video Clip of Yesterdays Policing!
Yesterday, 16th November, 2015, at around 1230 hours, a Delta Television Journalist, Isaac Kugonza, 28, was injured during front line coverage of rowdy protesters at the home of Erias Lukwago, at Lungujja, a Kampala City suburb.
The journalist was taking photos and videos under the security cover of the police, before he was caught up and injured by a stone hurled at the police by the rowdy protesters. He took injuries to the right side of head, where he suffered a wound to the ear and a swollen eye. The Police immediately rescued and rushed him to Mulago National Referral Hospital, where he is being hospitalized.
The victim was subjected to a CT scan and the preliminary examination shows that he is out of danger, and will further be evaluated tomorrow 17th November, 2015. Meanwhile another female victim, Nyamwiza Molly, 21, is also being hospitalized, after sustaining a serious fracture to the leg when she was knocked down by a boda boda rider, who was attempting to escape from the protesters. She had visited her elder sister at Nyanama Zone and was injured while proceeding to Kampala, on her way back to Hoima.
The police upon intervention arrested two suspects that included Erias Lukwago and Sewanyana Allan a Councilor at Makindye Division who are being detained at Nagalama Police Station, while the charges of incitement to violence, assault and malicious damage levied against them are being investigated by police at Old Kampala Police station.
Today’s confrontation between the police and protesters could have been avoided if Erias Lukwago had observed the instructions from the electoral body that deferred nominations to a later date, as they awaited communication on Regulations governing the nomination for the two elective positions of Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor, from the Minister for Kampala, as required by the KCCA Act. This communication was brought to his attention by the DPC Old Kampala Police Station the previous evening.
The police remain committed to enforcing law and order, without fear or favor, in respect of all people and calls upon each and every one of us to uphold the law for the good of our land.
CP Fred Enanga
Press and Public Relations Officer
Uganda Police
16.11.2015
Look at this clips:
On the clip, you heard the shots right? – that was not stones!
A Tiny Comment to this:
You can write and type hog-wash honorable Fred Enanga to look better, but the video clips and vivid pictures tells a story! How the police vandalized and harrased the public in the area. That was not stoning of a journalist? He was shut by your bullets. You can lie and keep on lying, but the truth will stand. Your not ensuring or enforcing positive actions, instead your creating violence. The world knows that. Your not policing! Proof yet again. Peace!
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Statement from Lord Mayor of Kampala Erias Lukwago after yesterdays violence and detaination
I feel I owe you a great debt of gratitude for the spirited fight against all machinations designed to disenfranchise the people of Kampala. Much as government finally succumbed to intense public pressure to withdraw the obnoxious KCCA Amendment Bill, Ugandans are longing for that day the likes of Dr. Badru Kiggundu will be called to account for their reckless, and at times fraudulent, commissions and ommissions. My deepest sympathies go out to Isaac Kugonza, a DELTA TV reporter who sustained serious injuries in line of duty as he was filming the infamous police raid on my home. The most interesting dimension of the whole story, though, was the sagacious proposal that I should consider unseating Hon. Ruhindi from the Nakawa constituency. I must confess I enjoyed every bit of the spontaneous and captivating debate which spread like wild fire. It was such a humbling experience to me. All said and done, I wish to reiterate the unshakeable stand that my mind is focused on the mandate you entrusted to me, the mandate I have tenaciously and resiliently defended against all odds for the last five years . As we prepare to roll out a new programme for our campaign trail, I humbly appeal to you to remain firm and resolute on the struggle for good governance. FOR GOD AND MY COUNTY.
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Sorrow in Kampala; Trifling police and detaining Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago
Today was the day that Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Act was to be added an to amendment so that the elections of Lord Mayor would happen inside a council instead of polling during general election in 2016. There been more push to let this happen, not everybody agrees with does actions. Therefore we can see that and today the reactions from the NRM-Regime have been off violence. Uganda Police Force has come and first set up roadblocks early this morning in around his area.
Yet reports hours earlier Erias Lukwago says: “he is yet to receive official Electoral Commission on determent of mayoral nominations” and “he vows to proceed”.
This was the beginning of the tale that unfolded today. The loyalist of Dr. Kizza Besigye the opposition candidate Erias Lukwago was first taken by a group of Police taken away into custody. He has been detained without court orders by unknown men. This has been seen by other media who has been close to the house today. A Delta journalist Enock Kugonza has been shot and by the brutal police after the manhandling of Lord Mayor Lukwago. Erias Lukwago was supposed to go Electoral Commission of Uganda to be nominated. The Journalist Kugonza was after the shooting was rushed to Mulago Hospital. Two persons are said to killed by the same shootings.
It wasn’t only the journalist from Delta who got shot, there were two more men and surely more innocent people; who have been hurt during the raid that the police had during the arrest of Erias Lukwago; who is still in custody or detained at an unknown location as we speak. One of the people who also got hurt by the Police today is Councilor Mariam Kizito.
After all of this they all of sudden goes back on their ways and turn to the nominations. The Electoral Commission has later in the day said through Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, that the nominations dates is for Lord Mayor of Kampala is set to be between 16th to 18th November 2015.
There been floating pictures of a person lying lifeless on the ground after being shot. This proves the powers of the Police and also how they justify the use of will to bring down anybody in their way. This must be orders from the higher ends because Erias Lukwago has been issues for the NRM-Regime.
The NRM-Regime fears Erias Lukwago because of his popularity. That popularity comes because the NRM candidates are greedy guts and they seem tired of it. Just look at the reasoning from Frank Tumwebaze the Ministry of Presidency and Kampala Capital City Authority who wrote this in a statement today:
“It is therefore dishonest on the part of my colleagues in the Opposition to state that this was an after-thought following Erias Lukwago’s decision to stand for the Lord Mayor position in Kampala. That is false. Whether Lukwago stands or doesn’t, streamlining the governance framework of Kampala capital city remains our noble duty” (…)”The rationale behind the proposal of changing the mode of election of the lord mayor and all other division mayors, is for purposes of ensuring that the mayor and the deputy remain accountable to the Council that they chair, just like in the case of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Parliament who are elected by Members of Parliament. Besides, the law already vests the same Councils with authority to remove a Lord Mayor or Division Mayor. These Councilors are products of an electoral process conducted from the grassroots. Ugandans do not convene at Parliament to elect a Speaker or Deputy Speaker. Their representatives in form of Members of Parliament elect the Speaker and Deputy Speaker” (…)”The amendments therefore, cannot be targeting a man called Erias Lukwago. The law was never made for Him. Erias Lukwago just like any other person is entitled to aspire to become a Lord Mayor. However, what any person aspiring to be lord mayor needs to be reminded about is that he/she is not the primary administrator of the Capital City. The Central Government does so as per the constitution.The Lord Mayor and the council administer it on delegation by the central government. Central Government policy therefore takes precedence. That is why the minister responsible for the capital city is given veto powers under section 79. This is what Erias Lukwago has never appreciated, but its the bitter truth” (Tumwebaze, 16.11.2015 – Press Statement).
When this is happening and Hon. Frank Tumwebaze is trying to explain and use rhetoric to sound wise for the reasoning to take away the rights for people to choose their leader and their mayor, because by his reasoning the council will make a better decision then the actual people. That is because they choose Erias Lukwago and not the man picked by the NRM. Hon. Frank speaks well about laws and constituted rights, while addressing his own position with diligence. While saying the Lord Mayor is not made for Erias Lukwago, that might be true, but your ministry isn’t made up just for yourself or it is Honorable Frank Tumwebaze? You who runs over KCCA as the Minister of Kampala and already edged Erias Lukwago out with giving more powers to Jennifer Musisi who in basis runs the KCCA and does more administrative duties since the Lord Mayor has lost his position.
Jennifer Musisi said this in January:
The Journalist asked: “You were accused of kicking out the Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago from office”; she answered: “Lukwago was a problem to us. We spent a lot of money and time undoing his wrongs. He took us to court when we tried to re-build the Wandegeya Market and the New Park. There has been a lot of development in KCCA during the last two years of his absence from office. We are now focused on the things we are supposed to do” (Etukuri & Waiswa, 2015).
When we see that the Lord Mayor elected in 2011 has been absent and Jennifer Musisi gets her will. IGP Kale Kayihura has never liked the brother so his goons and violent police has today battled yet innocent people and shot, even killed bystanders in the siege of Lukwago’s home. The Police men proves that their not to protect and serve. It is not the police who is catching the bad guys, it’s the police who is acting as the bad guys. The people has to scatter when the police arrives, because they will only create violence and be arrested, detain people without court order and paperwork. Preventive Arrest that is being used like it’s the sweetest dream of the NRM-Regime to harass their opposition members in the country. As we have again seen manifest today.
But where are the Police hiding Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, even if hasn’t had the seat for over 48 months, he was still elected to it by last election in 2011. So if that was a valid election leading to the 9th Parliament, he should be sitting and have the chair until 18th of February. I am sure Jennifer Musisi would continue to work without his involvement and also Frank Tumwebaze who seem like the arch-crony of the NRM-Regime. It’s like his loyalty is deeper then kin. So that the violence and harassment happening on his watch is not being discussed or addressed, but the way that the opposition is voicing their matters are being said by him to be distasteful. What is really distasteful Hon. Frank Tumwebaze is the simplistic and violent arrest of Erias Lukwago and your measly way of just about 3 months before the General elections; you want to change and amend the law. So that you’re sure that you get the right candidate to be your puppet, Frankie isn’t that right?
Your fear for the people is proven with the violence and killings. The way the Police has to siege and drag the elected Lord Mayor Lukwago from his own home without any court orders and detain at an unknown location. Last time he was taken to custody by the Police was 31st of October. So he hasn’t had many days in freedom. This proves the fear that the NRM and the Government has for this man. That is why they have wished to switch and amend laws so they can pick whom they like, instead of having faith in the people. Even if they choose to rig those elections, still they can’t be able to rig it all, therefore Kampala slipped through their finger and he won on the last go around. Erias Lukwago seems to be one of the guys that the NRM-Regime fear, not because of the powers he has, but the legitimacy that he has, and the one NRM certain lacks. They run the government and has overtaken the Kampala administration and crushed the elected political system of the city, to empower a ministry of Kampala and it’s Kampala Capitol City Authority, instead of building transparent and accountable City Hall. That is what people like the elected Erias Lukwago works for, and that in starch contrast with the realities on the ground and in the city, as the Parliament proves with every new move they have.
I just wonder, have the Police read “the still in force of colonial law” called Criminal Procedure Code Act of 1950 and section: “17. Detention of persons arrested without warrant: When any person has been taken into custody without a warrant for an offence other than murder, treason or rape, the officer in charge of the police station to which the person is brought may in any case and shall, if it does not appear practicable to bring the person before an appropriate magistrate’s court within twenty-four hours after he or she was so taken into custody, inquire into the case, and, unless the offence appears to the officer to be of a serious nature, release the person on his or her executing a bond, with or without sureties, for a reasonable amount to appear before a magistrate’s court at a time and place to be named in the bond; but where any person is retained in custody, he or she shall be brought before a magistrate’s court as soon as practicable”. This law is still in effect so how can you break it so often Mr. Kayihura?
Now the police and IGP Kale Kayihura men show the violence in action. The world sees it and should question it. They are blasting a gay-law, but not saying anything about the violent Police and it’s shooting on innocent people and bystanders. Uganda Police Force is for the NRM-Regime and not the citizens. They does not create order, they create disorder. They do not protect their people, they protect the regime. They do not serve the people, they serve the regime. That is why Preventative Arrest is such a usual move by these men and without court orders. Yet again, I hope to hear reports that the elected Lord Mayor will come to surface again soon and be back in shape for new nomination date that the Electoral Commission. Stay strong Lord Mayor, we support you and your cause. Continue to work as you do. One day there might be justice in Kampotholo. Peace.
Reference:
Etukuri, Charles & Waiswa, Juilet – ‘Kampala is better now without Lukwago’ (27.01.2015) link: http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/670298–kampala-is-better-now-without-lukwago.html
MinBane 