Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) in the General Court Martial Holden at Makindye-Kampala – Case No. 040 – Charge Sheet of Dr. Kizza Besigye and Haji Obeid Lutale (20.11.2024)

Kenya: Governor James Orengo – Statement on the unlawful abduction of Kizza Besigye (20.11.2024)

Ugandan opposition aren’t safe in Kenya

“According to his family, Dr. Besigye was abducted on Saturday in Nairobi and is suspected to be under military detention here in Uganda. This is most unfortunate!  A few months ago, 36 other activists were abducted from Nairobi and brought back to Uganda in utter violation of the law. As we call for his immediate release, we condemn this blatant abuse of the law by the regime here in Uganda, and sadly the authorities in Kenya. We are back to the dark days when Ugandans were casually picked from the streets of Nairobi and returned to Uganda to be tortured, jailed and others executed. The abduction of Ugandan citizens from Kenya and handing them over to the regime in Uganda without following extradition laws must be condemned by all people of good conscience!” (Bobi Wine, 20.11.2024).

Yet again, the authorities and the state of the Republic of Kenya is allowing Ugandan citizens to be apprehended, kidnapped and taken into custody when they cross the borders by force. This happened earlier in the year, and it happens yet again.

The Operational Zone for foreign intelligence organizations is clear. The Kenyan authorities under the reign of President William Ruto is allowing it. They are accepting and vouching for these actions.

Just imagine that Dr. Kizza Besigye checked into the Waridi Paradise Hotel and met with a taxi driver for a meeting at Riverside Apartments. A driver that waited for him and he never showed up. The same happened with his supposed appearance at the book launch of Marta Karua on Sunday. Therefore, they knew he was going to the hotel and abducted him from there. Since he never saw the driver again for the planned meeting later the same day.

This just shows that someone flew into Nairobi and checked into a hotel. Then after all of this and with the planned schedule of Besigye. He was captured and silenced. As his communication was shut-off and the kidnappers muted him. Until we saw him again arraigned at the Makindye Military Court at the Makindye Military Barracks in Uganda.

There unverified reports that the Kenyan state is allowing Ugandan security operatives to abduct and kidnap citizens within the republic. If that is agreed upon between the heads of state. That is unknown too, but it is a reason for this speculation to happen. Especially, when stories like Besigye is happening. When other citizens are captured in Kenya and later either detained or arraigned before the courts in Uganda. Therefore, there is a coordination and allowed actions on Kenyan soil. If it is Nairobi or in Kisumu. They are allowed to act and do as they please.

This shows that the Ugandan activists and people aren’t in a safe haven in Kenya. The Government of Kenya is allowing it and letting it happen. They are saying “okay” and giving the Ugandan state a “heads up”.

If you are afraid of drones in Uganda. There is a possibility for a similar action happening in Kenya. That’s the message here. They are allowing it and accepting the fate of the foreigners who goes to Kenya. These are in an “operational zone” and are “fair game”. That’s why this happens and people should be concerned. Because the authorities are okay with it and they aren’t even worried about the consequences of doing so.

If they were afraid or worried about it. These people wouldn’t be captured and arraigned later in the courts in their nation. No, they would be safe and be able to escape the authorities in Kenya. Alas, that isn’t the case, and no Ugandan activist or opposition is safe in Kenya. That’s the message that is sent and it’s tragic. Peace.

Burundi: The President of the Supreme Court pledges loyalty to His Excellency…

Gamaliel Nkurunziza was officially sworn in as President of the Supreme Court, during a discreet ceremony at the presidential palace in Gitega. Organized in the presence of President Évariste Ndayishimiye and members of the High Council of the Judiciary, this swearing-in took place in the absence of senators, deputies, diplomats and other guests of honor usually associated with such events. A format that fuels questions about the independence of the judiciary in Burundi. An oath under presidential supervision Unlike the protocol traditions surrounding other public functions, Gamaliel Nkurunziza’s swearing-in took place in a restricted setting, under the exclusive eye of the executive. No representation from Parliament or the constituted bodies was noted, and the military honours, often appropriate for such ceremonies, were also absent. This particular framework raises questions about the place of the judiciary in Burundi’s institutional architecture. Although the Constitution guarantees a separation of powers, this symbolic choice seems to reinforce the idea that Burundian justice remains subordinate to the executive, thus undermining its legitimacy as an independent pillar of the state” (FOCODE Magazine – ‘Gamaliel Nkurunziza sworn in as Supreme Court President under the shadow of executive power’ 19.11.2024).

President Évariste Ndayishimiye showing his stranglehold and total control of power. That is being done by holding a closed of ceremony to swear-in the new President of the Supreme Court. He is getting a CNDD-FDD member and a loyalist to be the holder of this important office.

The head of the Supreme Court is now aligned with the ideals of the President. His now having a fellow cadre and soldier in the chambers of law. This appointment together with the others who was chosen is more of the same.

This is just a proof that there is no separation or independence between the branches of government. The Executive has a say and has a word where-ever he deems fit. The President of Supreme Court will be there and follow the needs of the Executive. That is clear and this is why he held the ceremony in this way. As a reminder of who his serving and why his there.

President Ndayishimiye get to humble and remember the judiciary who made them there. He needs to show them who matters and who they are serving. The judges who was there today are all there on the mercy of the President. Which means they have to follow his words. His words are the law and they got to obey. Meaning if a judgement or a case comes up. The President can give a notice and tell them where to go. Therefore, he has loyal people to handle it and make sure they are giving a sound verdict.

That’s the sort of ordeal this is. His Excellency, the Executive are now directing and guiding the Court. The Supreme Court and the judges got a signal. The newly appointed man knows where his heart remains and why his stationed there. Not because his wise, brilliant or the best of the nation. No, his there because his useful and serve a purpose for the Executive.

That’s why there was no public function or ceremony, but a small one in the Palace of the President. As they have to go to him and they have to bend the knee for him. He needs to see them and they have to know who they are working for. They are not working to uphold the rule of law, but following the commands of the Executive. Peace.

Burundi: SOPEBU rations fuel and now organizes who can tank up when

“Each person can supply 1 or 2 times per week on the day indicated on their mobile phone, via #IGITOROPass, and depending on the last digit of the vehicle’s registration plate” (…)

“Here is the schedule:

1 Monday, Tuesday, Friday: cars with the last number on the license plate: 0, 1, 2

2 Wednesday, Saturday: last number on the plate: 3, 4, 5

3 Thursday, Sunday: last number on the plate: 6, 7, 8, 9

Fuel attendants are requested to check the quotas granted to the customer before serving them,” underlines the press release released on 11/12/2024” (Jimbere, 13.11.2024).

The fuel situation in the Republic of Burundi is dire when the authorities and the Societe Petroliere du Burundi (SOPEBU) released their Press Release yesterday. This is limiting the fuel and who can go to the gas stations. That’s directly rationing the fuel and telling when people can restock or even get more gasoline, which the vehicles need. Meaning they must await the IGITROPass and know when they can get fuel into their vehicles.

This is really showing how the nation struggles financially. They can’t import enough fuel and ensure the traders have enough. That’s why gas-stations now must check who is passing by and who is in the lines for fuel. The workers at the fuel stations has to look at the last number on the license plate before allowing them to get fuel.

That is compelling… and telling. It is a total failure of the ruling regime. The CNDD-FDD and the militant government cannot sustain a necessity as vital as fuel. The lack of petrol and getting imports is hurting the nation. This is why SOPEBU is doing this, but it is showing a grim picture.

If you ever thought a Republic could stoop low. This is the lowest of the lowest. As a government can silence critics, get rid of the opposition and silence the activists. At the same time, it cannot assure or secure imports of day-to-day imports like fuel. That’s the story here and that the rulers can’t do their duty.

We can wonder if this sort of rule is also for government vehicles or only for the citizens. Because this has implications for several people and their safety. It is also very hectic and to be sure that you fill up enough on the days your allowed to get fuel. If there is fuel at the station or stations you visit in the first place.

This is an epic failure and shows how bad governance the CNDD-FDD has in Burundi. They cannot even do this right. They cannot even get this right, but they can bury their enemies without a heartbeat. That shows their priorities. It is not the living, but to ensure the ones that are in their shadow is buried six feet under. Peace.

Burundi: Resistance pour un Etat de Droit (Red-TABARA) – Communique (12.11.2024)

Burundi: The sugar crisis is continuing…

The recent revelation that the Sugar Company Société Sucrière du MOSO (SOSUMO) have on the 14th September 2024 given their new pricing on a kilogram of sugar. The cost of a kilo of sugar goes from 3500(bif) Burundian Francs to the total of 8000(bif) Burundian Francs. That’s not only doubling it, but taking it even further. That says a lot about the current cost of living crisis in the Republic.

The CNDD-FDD is failing it’s citizens. As they are lacking basic commodities and not getting it imported to a fee, which the public is able to pay. Not a commodity like Sugar is becoming a luxury. That’s the gist of it here.

The leaders of Gitega and Bujumbura is failing it’s citizens on a daily basis. When they are allowing the prices to rise to these levels. Meanwhile the salaries, the basic pay and the payment to the farmers not rising on the same levels. The inflation and the lack of foreign exchange is just hurting the citizens even more. That’s why this isn’t just about sugar, but about the bad governance and lack of concern from the ones in power.

This price going up is only out of several others that is affecting daily life of Burundians. They are all suffering in these troubling times. As the prices of transport has been on the rise. The scarcity of fuel and sugar itself makes it much harder.

People are even questioning if the sugar will be available. If it is… it is a costly commodity to buy. This is just hurting the citizens even more. The rising prices won’t solve anything, but only create a further barrier and another level suffering for the people. That being the cost of fuel or the cost of sugar. It is just more and more hardships without any sort of remedy from the state.

The CNDD-FDD is failing its own and they are paying the price. They are now… having the huge price on sugar and that’s because of how the regime is governing. Peace.

Burundi: The Rambo of the Police is promoted to the National Security Council

“The Head of State General Evariste Ndayishimiye appointed this Wednesday, September 11, a brilliant officer to the permanent secretariat of the National Security Council, in the person of Alfred Innocent Museremu; a police colonel experienced in security issues for having previously held the position of Director of External and Internal Intelligence” (Ikiriho, 12.09.2024).

If you ever thought the leaders of Gitega or Bujumbura comes in peace. Their appointments and the ones they promotes tell their story. The choice of having a Police Officer and Colonel Alfred Innocent Museremu at the National Security Council is telling.

The CNDD-FDD who is already embedded in the Imbonerakure and other security organizations to ensure longevity. The SNR and others are there to stifle, silence and shut down the dissidents of the Republic.

This man has shot protesters with live bullet in 2015. He was enjoying serving the protesters cruel torture as well. Museremu isn’t an honourable man or a man of a honest profession. His also been involved in questionable acts as a SNR agent and leader. Where he has raided homes and done human rights violations. That’s on behest of the authorities and the state. Therefore, the ones saying he fell and was fallen was wrong. They just kept him at bay and is now resurrecting his services.

“On the night of Wednesday 30 March 2022 at around 7 p.m., Dr Christophe Sahabo, Director General of Kira Hospital/Suiss Clinic, was arrested without a warrant at his office by agents of the SNR (National Intelligence Service). According to local sources, the reason for his arrest was not revealed, but Dr Christophe Sahabo was released by the SNR on Saturday 2 April 2022, in the early evening, after having been forced to resign the day before his arrest by police colonel Alfred Innocent Museremu” (SOS-Torture Burundi, 02.04.2022).

Museremu is a needed guy in the CNDD-FDD universe. They need bloodthirsty and vindictive people like him. A man who is willing to go after the dissidents and opponents of the state. He does it by the hook or by the crook. A man that doesn’t mind acting in vile and dishonesty, as long as he gets the results, he needs to favour the state.

If you think things are getting better in Burundi. No, they aren’t when men like these are entrusted and promoted. They are now vital parts of the government and given powerful mandates. This because of the experience and usage of force to advance the cause of the state. A state of fear and intimidation.

You thinks aren’t going great when the Rambo of the Police becoming a part of the National Security Council. That says who the CNDD-FDD are and what message they are sending to the people. It is to instil fear and repression of the people. Peace.

Burundi: The country that is rotting away…

The everlasting reign of Conseil National pour la Défense de la Démocratie–Forces pour la Défense de la Démocratie (CNDD-FDD) and the continued Presidency of Evariste Ndayishimiye is warning of how not to govern. The ruling regime is preoccupied with playing for the facade, but not the reality of the people.

There been reports of shortage of fuel, lacking electricity and now medicine. The cost of living is spiralling out and the raving poverty is fuelling out of control. There is no bounds of neglect, lack of financially sound policies or government services to patch the hurt.

The CNDD-FDD and the President is busy holding parades. They are busy acting like they are doing the right thing. These people are eating of the plate of the people. With no concern of the implications or how it affects them day-to-day. The continued strong-man and tyrant who orders arrests, kidnappings and prolonged prison sentences without proper trials. The sort of man who interferes in the freedom of speech and goes after journalists. That’s the sort of ruler that is in-charge in Bujumbura and Gitega.

The CNDD-FDD is busy feeding itself. The Imbonerakura is occupied with finding the enemies and so are the other authorities. They are going after the people who dares to speak out or being active. The state has no trouble using the monopoly of violence and give them punitive actions. Which results in abductions, torture and possibly death. That’s what is happening and the surroundings are bleak.

There is little hope. The party of Nkurunziza and the party of the Defence of the Democracy is only hearing their own voices. It isn’t listening to the pleading people. The lack of basic commodities and the rising costs.

Just imagine going on with life, not affording or getting a haul of water. Neither affording sugar or having access to electricity. If you get sick, there won’t be medicines, but if they are there… you cannot afford them with your salary or the little earnings you have. That’s the situation for plenty and the cost of transport has been rising too. So, the commute and the ability to travel back-and-fourth from work is taking a toll too. Which means there is lesser cash-flow for the basics after paying the transports.

That’s the situation in Burundi. Not only the concerning Human Rights violations, but the lack of functioning government. The lack of sustainable financial reforms and creating a viable market for the citizens. If it was… they wouldn’t struggle with shortages and rising prices. While their salaries are becoming lack lustre and far from what they need. It just shows the inflation and the lack of proper shortfalls or even government incentives to help the ones in need.

The CNDD-FDD should be ashamed of itself, but we know they only bash in glory. Because, people aren’t supposed to report this or speak about it. It’s a sin to tell the failures of the state or the ruling regime. That’s a cardinal sin and can easily send you too heaven. Peace.

A look into the UN Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Burundi

 

The civic space is characterized by, inter alia, a de facto CNDD-FDD monopoly on the conduct of public affairs, surveillance of all sectors of political and administrative life, undue interference with the functioning of the main opposition party, forced recruitment into CNDD-FDD, threats and repression against political opponents and arbitrary arrest and detention of journalists and human rights defenders. The Special Rapporteur also noted attempts to control the narrative of articles published in the media14 and the instrumentalization of the law for political ends, in particular to obtain harsher court decisions in cases involving journalists” (UN Report, July 2024).

This report that the regime in Bujumbura and Gitega have worked against. The CNDD-FDD haven’t been coordinating or been working together with. As the CNDD-FDD isn’t willing to work with the United Nations organizations or the Special Rapporteur. That is a sign of distraught and not wanting the reality to be shown.

If the CNDD-FDD has nothing to hide. They would have open arms to the UN and the Special Rapporteur. However, it is the total opposite and the current acts of the government is vile. It is worrying how bad things are and how the government is operating. The tyranny and monopoly on power is being used to target the ones that speaks out or even act in dissent towards the state. Therefore, the ones who dares or used their voices against it. They are in danger and can easily be stopped.

Just read these quotes from the “Situation of human rights in Burundi – Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Burundi” which was published in July 2024, but released yesterday on Reliefweb. It is really a compelling read and a sad thing to see. How far the government is taking it and how the practices are just continuing.

The henchmen of Nkurunziza continues under Évariste Ndayishimiye. The CNDD-FDD is using the authorities, the militias and everyone else to destroy anyone who opposes their reign. It doesn’t matter who they are and what they say. The government targets you and could easily get rid of you.

Just read it here…

Arbitrary arrests continued, mostly for political or rebellion-related reasons, given the prevailing security situation in Burundi. The arrests were made by the police, with the support of the Imbonerakure” (…) “The Special Rapporteur notes that, in the period covered by this report, it was difficult to corroborate certain cases of enforced disappearance brought to his attention because of the modus operandi in these cases. Analyses show, however, that enforced disappearance has been used to exert pressure on dissident voices, in particular political opponents, persons close to them and civil society organizations. In a number of documented cases, witnesses saw the victims get into a police vehicle or leave with officials of the National Intelligence Service. Many disappearances have also been reported by civil society organizations. Some victims were found dead a few days after their disappearance, with injuries indicating that they had been executed” (UN Report, July 2024).

The Special Rapporteur stresses the need to protect journalists, whistle-blowers and dissident voices. In the period covered by this report, the Special Rapporteur noted numerous signs of repression against media professionals, including threats, arrests, arbitrary detentions and attempted abductions. This climate has led several journalists to censor themselves for fear of reprisals” (UN Report, July 2024).

These words and statements from the Special Rapporteur just shows the sinister side of the authorities and government of Burundi. That’s how it is operating and acting towards against citizens. The citizens who dares to challenge and speak up is easily in danger. That’s what the report is telling.

The people of Burundi deserves better and the government is acting with impunity. This is a total tyranny and a full fledged dictatorship with the iron fist. The President and his allies are allowing this to happen. They are prospering in this environment. The CNDD-FDD is elevated and keeping themselves in power by the usage of force against dissidents. That’s what it does…

The UN Special Rapporteur is only acknowledging what local NGOs or CSOs has been stating about the human rights violations within the Republic. It is only putting a outside perspective and also shows the total misuse of power.

The CNDD-FDD is showing who they are and it’s despicable. Peace.