Tag: East Africa
Lumumba criticises bid to extend Supreme Court judges contracts (Youtube-Clip)
“Kenya School of Law Director, Prof PLO Lumumba has criticized a bid by a section of Supreme Court judges to seek extension of their term to 74 years. He said the constitution was clear that a judge shall serve up to the age of 70 and urged those who had attained that age to retire honorably” (Daily Nation, 2016).
Press Statement: IMF Executive Board Completes Sixth PSI Review for Uganda and Approves One-Year Extension of the Program (07.06.2016)

WASHINGTON D.C., United States of America, June 7, 2016 – The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund today completed the sixth review of Uganda’s economic performance under the program supported by the Policy Support Instrument (PSI).1.
In completing the review, the Board approved the authorities’ request for a one-year extension of the current PSI arrangement to facilitate policy continuity and allow sufficient time for ongoing structural reforms to progress and also granted a waiver of the nonobservance of the end-December 2015 assessment criteria on the overall deficit of the central government.
The PSI for Uganda was approved by the Executive Board on June 28, 2013 (see Press Release No. 13/78). Uganda’s program under the PSI aims at maintaining macroeconomic stability and alleviating constraints to growth. The program supports the authorities’ objectives on reforms to the monetary policy framework, tax revenue mobilization, public financial management, and financial sector development. It also backs efforts to improve the business environment, including by preparing the economy better for oil production.
Following the Board discussion, Mr. Min Zhu, Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair, made the following statement:
“Despite external shocks, and amid election-related uncertainty, Uganda’s economy demonstrated resilience, with robust growth, low inflation, and strong international reserves. However, structural reforms have lagged and need to be revitalized to enhance competitiveness, promote economic diversification, and foster sustained and inclusive economic growth.
“Economic policies will remain focused on keeping inflation low and boosting growth. Fiscal priorities include shifting public spending toward infrastructure and poverty-alleviating expenditures, boosting domestic revenue mobilization, and enhancing public investment efficiency. Continued fiscal prudence could facilitate further monetary policy easing, which would help ease tight credit conditions.
“More progress is needed on key structural reforms. Prompt parliamentary approval of the Public Financial Management Act regulations in line with international best practice, decisive action to reconcile and validate the stock of domestic arrears, and finalizing the charter of fiscal responsibility are paramount steps to further improve governance and strengthen the budget process. Final approval of legal amendments to the Bank of Uganda Act will strengthen the central bank’s independence and support the inflation targeting regime.
“Vigilance is needed to ensure continued financial stability. Plans to further strengthen prudential supervision in line with the Basel III guidelines are welcome. Ensuring that regulatory oversight keeps pace with financial innovation will help preserve financial stability. Prioritizing prompt parliamentary approval of the Amendments of the Anti-Money Laundering Amendment Act and the Insurance Act should help Uganda exit from the FATF gray list, further strengthening the investment climate.”
1 The PSI is an instrument of the IMF designed for countries that do not need balance of payments financial support. The PSI helps countries design effective economic programs that, once approved by the IMF’s Executive Board, signal to donors, multilateral development banks, and markets the Fund’s endorsement of a member’s policies (seehttp://www.imf.org/external/np/exr/facts/psi.htm). Details on Uganda’s current PSI are available at imf.org/uganda.
Press Release: AMISOM confirms arrest of five of its troops (06.06.2016)

Footage: Luweero the Killings Fields of Uganda (Interview from 1985)
The regime of Milton Obote (1980 to 1985) was characterized by an excessive disregard for human rights. Government troops massacred civilians, especially in the “Luweero triangle” in Buganda. The U.S. State Department estimated that between 100,000 and 200,000 civilians were slaughtered in the Luweero triangle by the government troops. Peter Otai, Ugandan Minister of State for Defense, was interviewed by Peter Sisson in April 1985.
NEWSWEEK/AUGUST 13, 1984 – Starvation and Slaughter in Uganda
One of the world’s most massive – and deadly – violations of human rights in recent years may now be occurring in the Luwero triangle of Uganda, according to State Department sources in Washington. That area is a center of the Baganda tribe and also the site of an ongoing insurgency against the Ugandan government. North Korean-trained Ugandan soldiers are reported to have killed thousands of Baganda. The death toll from the slaughter and from starvation is estimated to range from 100,000 to 200,000, but international refugee organizations have been prohibited from distributing food in the triangle, which is located north of the Ugandan capital of Kampala.
Footage: Anti-IEBC protesters heading to Nairobi CBD from Kibera (06.06.2016)
Another Police Brutality and Tear-Gas Monday; as the continued demonstrations against IEBC from CORD, today!

As the re-started after a week of rest, as the Jubilee that meaning Deputy President William Ruto and President Uhuru Kenyatta, have stopped the leadership of CORD to have real talks on the reform of Independent Boundaries Electoral Commission (IEBC). This is happening while the Supreme Court today accept the wishes of CORD and allow them to peacefully protest against the government institution, as the Kenya National Police Service under IGP Boinett ordered the ‘Demonstrations’ to stop and would stop it with ‘force’.

Something that the Kenyan Police have done, just as of late, there are three persons who was shot and killed by the Police in Kisumu, where the demonstrations where heated. Another one was hurt by bullet as well, but not reported killed in Kisumu.
From Uhuru Park:
In Nairobi the Nairobi Police Commander Japheth Koome is demanding to see “broken bones and blood on the streets”. So if the Kisumu is the one following the wishes of Koome, then then will be worse reports from Nairobi, as the roads down towards the Central Business District and the Anniversary Tower is closed from the early morning. There been putting tires on fires on roads all around the city, like on Mathare Road, Jogoo Road and so on. Certain Junior Officers of Nairobi Police have refused to follow the directive of Koome to incite violence towards the demonstrators today. The CORD plan yesterday to have another rally at the Uhuru Park, as the other parts of CBD of Nairobi have been sealed off by the Police; so there been steady movement of demonstrators in that direction. Even truck drivers around Mlolongo have strike against the IEBC and put up a massive jam in the area, as there we’re trucks at a ‘standstill’. There even been reports of the Junior Officers who didn’t want to follow orders of Koome, went to Nairobi Central Park and relaxed, instead of driving water-cannons and shooting tear-gas at demonstrators, again. While the Anti-Riot Police are as usual stationed at the Anniversary Tower, I think they should put up a Police Post there, as they can see all steady movement every-day of the week, not only Police Brutality Mondays.
“UN Nairobi Office bosses told to let staff go home early and those able to work from home to do so. Pressure felt”. Shops and schools are closed in Kibera, as he demonstrations today are we’re on the way and they wanted to be prepared, as there been violent behavior during the demonstrations in the recent demonstrations in Kibera slum.

There been peaceful demonstrations in Homa Bay Town.

There been demonstrations in Narok, Kisii, Migori, Meru and in Eldoret, but no news of violence or killings there.

You know the issues are turning to be fuzz, when the American Ambassador Godec visiting Hon. Raila Odinga and ask him to stop with the demonstrations against the IEBC; with that in mind Amb. Godec wanted CORD to stop and end the demonstrations completely, Odinga he answered that Ambassador should go and talk with Uhuru Kenyatta and the Jubilee, not stall him, because he is the ones with the main issues on the matter.

“CORD Principals are urging all our people to converge at Uhuru Park in readiness for #IEBCMustGo peaceful demonstration. No carrying of stones or any form of weapon. They have also threatened to extend the demos to THREE days in a week (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday)” (Cord, 06.06.2016).

The looting of two supermarkets in Kisumu is just worrying, even if the Police brutality and killings are occurring, as they are vicious and wrong; that does not justify to attack and loot businesses that are not even connected with the IEBC, that the reason for the demonstration, neither is it peaceful to be thieving, though the live bullets and tear-gas from the Police is not justified. Let that all be clear!
This here will not be silenced easily or go away as it is wished by the Jubilee, as the stalemate, the questions of the chickens, the pay-offs and the arrangement of the IEBC as they are not any requested changes that the CORD have asked for, while the blood and burning streets are not a good look for Kenya or the Jubilee Government. Peace.
Kenya: The Constitution Amendment Bill of 2016 (02.06.2016)



Indictment of the IEBC Kenya No. T20137605 at SouthWark Crown Court





Declaration du parti FNL sur la derive totalitaire du regime CNDD-FDD (05.06.2016)



