


ULS Press Statement on the Post Election Environment (23.02.2016)







Canada congratulates the people of Uganda for holding largely peaceful presidential and parliamentary elections, despite delays in the opening of polls in some regions and other voting irregularities.
We are concerned by the arrest and continued detention of opposition political figures, and the prospect of those actions inciting violence.
The blackout of social media platforms is troubling given the impact on the right to freedom of speech, particularly as it relates to the democratic process.
We note with regret the preliminary findings of various international election observation missions which highlighted, amongst others, concerns over the transparency and independence of Uganda’s Electoral Commission, and alleged misuse of state resources for campaign financing purposes.
Canada encourages authorities, the government, and opposition leaders to work in collaboration to address these issues, in support of the full rights of all Ugandans and the electoral process.

All Canadians in Uganda should limit their movements, avoid demonstrations and large gatherings, follow instructions of local authorities and monitor local news and consult http://travel.gc.ca/destinations/uganda for further advice.

There is verified reports that Dr. Kizza Besigye is still under house-arrest. That has happen after the Police has taken him from the Naggalama Police Station in Mukono; back to Kasangati in Wakiso District. As he was taken and detained from the premises this morning when he was supposed to go to the Electoral Commission headquarter together with the party with the copies of Declarations Forms that the FDC parties has, as the polling stations agents from the parties share this. The FDC Party had collected these to be able to counter the verifying result that Eng. Dr. Badru M. Kiggundu announced on the 20th February and explained the tally result the Commission had gotten to; how he had the ability to give the NRM Presidential Candidate and incumbent of 30 years President the victory to Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

As they the FDC just as they also arrested in the 19th February before this morning the FDC had planned a Press Conference to deliver their tally results from the numbers and votes they had counted of the presidential elections and general elections as it has unfolded. This was not allowed from the Police and therefore were the Police going in, detaining the major parts of the FDC officials that day in question. As they also did the same today on the 22nd February so the government went all in taken the declarations forms, computers and detaining the staff. So the Forum for Democratic Change has been under siege, not only their presidential candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye. I hope to hear how it goes to Ingrid Turinawe, Gen. Mugisha Muntu, Harold Kajja and the others who also were detained today. Together with more staff that has not been named, they also deserve to be freed!

While it is a sad sight and vision to see yet again Dr. Kizza Besigye is back again at his home in Kasangati also known as “Benghazi”. This evening the Police deployment is even heavier than in the morning; as the Uganda Police Force could surely send some of their extras from the Electoral Commission offices as nothing happen there, then the fear of the public wanted to read the official paper themselves; as they should try to do. We can surely know that Dr. Kizza Besigye is not a FREE MAN and still a person under-lockdown and his house is besieged by the Police, as they fear the man and his position in society, and in the populations. Peace.

While trying to go to the Electoral Commission offices this morning, the Police had different ideas about the plans Dr. Kizza Besigye had, as when he went out of the gates of his home in Kasangati. The Police stopped his car and taken him away.

He is now in Mukono or in Mukono district at Naggalama Police Station detained. As with his house arrest and his ordinary detaining terms is without reason or warrants. This is the Modus Operandi of the IGP. Gen. Kale Kayihura by now, the man who follows orders blindly from his Commander-in-Chief President Museveni; as he uses Public Order Management Act, as it the proper tool to take down and shut-down the opposition in the country. That is what has happen today while Dr. Kizza Besigye was taken from the gates of Kasangati and detained at Naggalama Police Station where they must have named a Cell after him by now.

The Locals in Kasangati because of the steady levels of Police and roadblocks has nicknamed Kasangati “Benghazi” after the war-zone in Libya. It is surely a feeling the locals justified to have as they have more police there, as Besigye must be seen as the worst criminal in the land, by President Museveni; as he knows that he is epitome of what he is not; a man of the people and therefore he has to be contained; even if he hasn’t done anything else then living in the same country as the President.

CP Fred Enaga had his lies to tell the press as ever:
“Besigye’s plan to destabilize the city are foreign funded”. Mr. Police Officer, I hate throw shade on your pay-check, but your budget is donor funded and been for decades; so it’s more likely that the brown jersey your wearing with your name has been paid by a foreign government; you have to have a better argument Mr. Police Officer!

The Police has also been besieged the Electoral Commission headquarters as the Police has such a fear of the presence of the people to search or appeal the result; as the result has already been set and the Police as a NRM outfit will secure their longevity by any means at this point. Also at FDC headquarter of the Najjanankumbi the Police has sieged the offices there as well today.

Later after the sieging of the Police they took it further as the FDC party is officially illegal, totally illegal, that is the indication for the moment as the Police Force raided the offices and rounded up the FDC staff. While even later the Party President Gen. Mugisha Muntu showed up at the gates of the offices and was not allowed by the Police to access the headquarters. As he got picked up and also detained. They went to pick the Declaration Forms, as the Electoral Commission and the Police Force has to clean-up the mess they have done as they have stolen the election; since their sins are visible in the indications of the copies of the Electoral Declaration Forms; that the Government of Uganda by all means don’t want released to the public as it is their venom.

Hon. Ofwono Opondo said on NBS TV today:
“To think your win is valid while win over others from the same election isn’t abuse of Ugandan intelligence”. Well, your insulting people while not really counting the ballots and rigging the elections; while telling the same people pointing it is insulting the Ugandan people; I don’t follow… as the Hon. Opondo the reason why people like me can’t see validity in this election as the too much that has occurred to counter the value of the ballots and the peoples will. Something you should know as the election has happen in a speed and way that should make people shut-up and hide your mind; because you’re a loyal cadre that is eating because of President Museveni, and if it wasn’t for him, you wouldn’t be anybody! Just as his boss Hon. Opondo said this as well: “We don’t care what the international community care thinks”. I am sure you and your boss care if the international community cuts more or suspends direct donor aid, IMF and World Bank suspends projects as the Taxes does not help the Ugandan National Development Program II, is so big that if the government supposed to fulfill the pledges of that one, the Ugandan Government need the international community, so continue not to care about the international community!
As side-note from Kabale District:
“This is it inform the world that on Saturday dawn 4.30AM the Army and Police stormed in Rukiiko hall Kabale District headquarters where tallying of votes was taking place. They forced a one Juma Shesa, the District returning officer to park all the computers as well as available declaration forms; he was taken to Kampala to the EC head quarters. Incidentally , due to the pre-ticked ballot papers in favour of the NRM presidential candidate as well as other NRM parliamentary candidates, numbers could not balance. Up till now the Woman MP results for Kabale District are not yet announced” (FDC, 22.02.2016).
So it’s truly one thing is happening from the authorities in Uganda, that the FDC and the Forum for Democratic Change is the biggest force of criminals as they are hounded detained without warrants, reason or justification other then they are an issue for the legitimacy of President Museveni official 5th Term, sorry the 7th, he can never in my view rewrite history and shave of his first decade in power. Well, this here will continue the oppression and totalitarian regime that is faking it until they hope to make it. On the way they are harassing and oppressing the parties and people who do not kiss the ring of President Museveni. Peace.

As the home of Dr. Kizza Besigye has been under house-arrest since his arrival from Naggalama Police Stations together with other FDC Officials who was taken home. ONLY Ingrid Turinawe is still behind bars and not let out as the other once has been released.
Still no charge on the FDC Officials in questions as the Police Force are deliberately following orders form up high to take the Democratic Parties as hostage while the tallying of the votes occurred and before Eng. Dr. Badru Kiggundu yesterday officiated and officially verified the tally giving the Presidency AGAIN to Museveni.
Why I am I writing now is because of the wondering how Dr. Kizza Besigye could get the interview that has been showed to the public where he talked passionately about the current situation while being under house-arrest in his own home. His beloved wife has told the world how he managed. His loyal and smart staff told the Police Officers that he had escaped from his home in Kasangati in Wakiso District.
While the Police was searching and in panic of losing their main target that was supposed to be on lock-down as the reports came to his house and then had the interview with him. As been seen from his home; since yesterday both Party Officials from FDC was not allowed in; either was Journalists. So that they got in and Dr. Kizza Besigye got to speak his peace was good as the world wanted to hear his opinion and the view of the progression of the general election; how it has unfolded and the determination of the man that has been more in jail than President Museveni has lied on TV.

Erias Lukwago who we’re arrested and detained for trespassing and trying to get to Dr. Kizza Besigye has been released hours after being arrested without warrant or reason for it.
As we can the reasons for it and the heavy deployment of soldiers and mambas, no crowds celebrating the result yesterday, non-except a few people congratulating themselves yesterday, Justine Kasule Lumumba of the NRM sounding like she was in war after the result was delivered in Namboole Stadium and the Tally Centre there. While the representatives of the ones went away in silence as the result was manufactured to meet the requirement of their master President Museveni. The reason why nobody has really celebrated or the public in the streets of Kampala celebrating the genius victory of President Museveni, a reason why the Daily Monitor wrote the word “AGAIN”.

While this was happening the Dr. Kizza Besigye was under house-arrest and other FDC Officials in Prison, Hon. Amama Mbabazi is still under house-arrest and Abed Bwanika is detained still. The other candidates is no news on. Only that Elton Joseph Mabirizi has congratulated President Museveni and has given in.
Well, this is for now. It is very silent and doubtfully so; as the people seem to be in sorrow over the declarations and the blantant way the Electoral Commission has done this election and declared the result while taken away massive amount of polling stations, the amount of polling stations unaccounted for is 1778. Which should be a enormous amount of votes that was casted for nothing and not registered in the tally center at Namboole. While also over 30 polling stations alone in Wakiso and Kampala that never got even to vote. This here tells the story of the malfunctions and the disregard for the public will of the Electoral Commission. I know that the world don’t care… or doesn’t take that in consideration, but it will always be remembered the display of irregular activities and the disrespect of people’s will during the general election in 2016. As the army and police has had a leeway to do as they please.
As the reports of 1200 army-men around Kasangati recently this here will help to verify it:
“The report titled “Brotherly respond to H.E. Yoweri” contained a list of ammunitions taken to Uganda by SPLA soldiers and the location of the SPLA bases in Uganda as well as civilian targets in case of any election fall out” (…)“Last week, a Minister in the office of the President was reported to have taken more than $2 million dollars to Uganda to “help Museveni win election” (…)”In Juba, the sending of the 1400 troops as well as money funding to President Yoweri Museveni’s re-election is seen as a special favour by the government in return for his involvement in south sudan internal conflict, where UPDF sided with the regime in Juba” (Bith, 2016).

While still two presidential candidates are under house arrest Dr. Kizza Besigye and Hon. Amama Mbabazi, as the world watch this meager display and for the first time; I have not watched the victory speech of President Museveni; as I don’t care for his lies today… but that is just me! Peace.
Reference:
Bith, Jonathan – ‘President Kiir sent an SPLA battlion to ‘help Museveni win the election’ (20.02.2016) link: http://upperniletimes.net/must-read/president-kiir-sent-an-spla-battalion-to-help-museveni-win-election-report/

The tense and tearing reports that are reported and the comments made while the Electoral Commission is witholding informations as they are the only once allowed to check the votes and declarations forms from the polling stations; as they want the information of the public on their own and not in the public domain; as the votes are a civic duty done by the public and the once voted in is supposed to represent the public will. So hat Dr. Badru M. Kiggundu says: “Anyone who mimics Electoral Commission mandate of declaring results is likely to find themselves in trouble.”
As 30 Military Police Men armed with AK47 telling residents to get home and stay inside while they take the ballots in Kisasi in Kampala.

As the NSSF leaders are telling their staff to go home and get safe as the tension of the town is boiling as the streets are filled with military police and armed police officers, mambas controlling the streets. This here is no fiction this here is the will of the President Museveni.
The continuation of striking rigging has happen again at another Polling station in Kampala as in the St Peters Nsumbi-Nansana where the public reacted to the late delivery of the ballot-papers and voting material for the second day in the row. As the Electoral Commission has a blatant regard to the people of the area, as the public and citizens was angry at the way the authorities treat them; ended with Police shooting at the public and the ballots hasn’t even been casted at the polling station. “The new reports is that 12 Polling stations in Kampala where people not have the ability to go to the polls in this elections” (Uganda Radio Networks, 19.02.2016).
Police and Military has taken over Kampala as pictures of police in heavy gear shown in Bwaise as well. Even Badru Kiggundu the chief of EC has said about the places that has burned ballots: “They can wait until 2021”. If you rig this elections hope you can rot in Luzira until 2021 Mr. Kiggundu!

As the Army and Police is going at Talley Centers and addressing the public with guns and tear-gas. The NRM has this message: “Comrades we encourage you to keep the peace and avoid getting on the wrong side of the law”. The law the decides if you’re not one of us you can lose everything in a heartbeat, you are such gentlemen especially right after the polls, when the public you been rallying for months have tasted the tear-gas and live bullets from the police, military police and army men. You can be so proud of your comrades who creates violence!
As this happens the UCC calls in the public and says that those that uses VPN to access Social Media that the UCC monitoring it and sees them, and will call it treason. Then 1,5m people are breaking the law and committing treason against the state… means that UCC must create a big state prison or sending them to one of the islands at Lake Victoria. Since that is massive amount of people; want to wish UCC a great job clearing that slate.

Police Spokesman Patrick Onyango says; “We are holding Dr Besigye for his safety. We fear he might be crushed to death by his supporters.” Something is wrong in that picture as the FDC doesn’t have the issue it the police who struggle with the publics reactions to the support they have for Dr. Kizza Besigye. That is the truth and the Police, and the authorities cannot live with it. Deputy Spokesman Polly Namaye says on NBS TV: “Besigye, Mutu and others were not arrested today. Rather their ‘mobility was inconvenient’”. She must make IGP Kale Kayihura so proud where he is delegating the charade today.
The reports from Kampala coming in as the demonstrations in different parts of town has happen and even tires been burned in the middle of the street. The tally of diseased citizens is up to 5 and one policeman. Six people too much as they all have family and friends. Dying for the ballots and for the reasonable results after the elections it is not worth it. It is not worth it to be hurt by tear-gas or detained as the people are suffering in the dictations from above, as the regime is struggling with seeing the power slide-by and change that is coming.

Inside information on how NBS TV is instructed to drop the regimes messages to the public:
“Keep my identity to yourself but truth is, NBS seems to be under an “order from above” influence. All the results we are relaying are from Kasule Lumumba. The situation is so tense here because SFC is all deployed in our office here. Hope you know what I mean”.
In Kamuli the Tally Center has been closed to the public as the place is guarded by armed police force and heavy military deployment of the building. People cannot get information there to verify the results of the ballot count or tallying as that is not a public affair, but a Police and regime controlled affair.

In Rukungiri the public goes mad as the Police stops them from entering the Talley center in town as the results are about to change from last night, as even monitors on the inside has announced that they will put the numbers in from the declarations forms again; as the first batch of numbers has to be crunched again. Minister of Information Jim Muhewezi has stopped the people with Special Forces Command reacts to the people’s reactions and shooting in the air as they attack his car!
Defense Minister Crispus Kiyonga of Kasese is not happy with not being popular in his own area in Kasese. So the issues that he will not verify the numbers and tally result of the votes. The public of the town is displeased with the actions done by the incumbent as the police and military police share their bullets and tear-gas on the citizens as their will doesn’t matter.
In Gulu breaks into CHAOS as the local Talley Centre proclaim that Jacob Oulanya declared the winner and the MP seat of the area (New Vision, 19.02.2016). The locals are angry as they feel betrayed by the ones counting the ballots and stealing the election in the area.

Even UMEME Limited Power Company are serving their master today:
“Power has been switched off to work on broken wires at Yesu Amala T/C . affected areas. Namugoona, Part of Nakibinge Rd, Nansana Jenina, Nansana Church of Uganda, Nansana Yesu Amala, Nansana Police, Part of Ochieng, Part of Nabweru Rd, Nansana Kabumbi, Part of Kyebando SDA Church, Nansana Masitowa” (UMEME, 19.02.2016).
As the regime continues with attacking democratic values and the public will at amp speed Andrew Mwenda has speak his peace: “Electoral Commission has been under immense pressure from Museveni hold free and fair elections”. The tally and numbers of bullets and tear-gas canisters in the street; shows that they have not delivered and secondly the peace has been far away as the hours pass, the fair is not even close as the NRM-Regime has run the pre-election period as a wild west and giving hard time to the opposition.
US Embassy in Kampala statement of actions today:
“We strongly condemn the disproportionate police actions taken today at FDC headquarters in Kampala. We call on security forces to exercise restraint. The Ugandan people have exhibited patience despite their frustrations during the voting period” (U.S. Embassy, 19.02.2016).
If you thought it was only Leaders of Opposition who is under fire today and civilians supporting them. Even Gen. Katumba Wamala has been confirmed arrested. The loyal UPDF general who has followed orders and taken charge of the army during the last months; even during the pre-election period spoke well about how the Army will support the Electoral Commission in their mission. He was taken yesterday and taken to secure location around Entebbe during the night.

There will be more to this story as the actions unfolds and the stories from the ground hit the wall with a bang, as the regime using the security outfits to spread fear and take control of political partisan affair, as they can’t trust other things than guns, President Museveni forget that the world sees and as I able to get this information this quick 10.000 miles away and knows that he is rigging numbers in Amuru and for instance dropping lies on NTV earlier today saying NRM have won Amuru. Proves what is wrong and they should fear that the truth will be dropped and 2011 losing will not happen as the cooking of number is not accepted this time around. Peace.

We have now seen how the Police like to make life hard for Go-Forward Presidential Candidate Amama Mbabazi. He held peaceful campaigns in Kasaria and Kibuku. While his third district wasn’t able to reach today; because he isn’t Mzee and can’t campaign after the late time set by the Electoral Commission. So the Police will step in and block his actions. Even if he might travel to a hotel in Butaleja in the darkness and surely knows it’s late for campaign rally in Busolwe.

Message from Amama Mbabazi today:
“From Kasasira in Kibuku to Kobolwa Primary School, today I spoke on various issues affecting Kibuku. I supported the creation of Kibuku district to enable services get closer to the people” (…)”Kibuku has not yet realised this dream. The Go forward manifesto contains my promise to the people. For better healthcare, cooperatives, jobs for youth and quality education”. Later today he stated this: “Kasasira and Kobolwa today. We were not able to make it to Butaleja before dark. My plea to apologise to the people of Busolwe fell on deaf ears”.
The Road Block from the local Police who stops Go-Forward Campaign Convoy enroute from Mulagi to Bulsolwe:

I think that is enough for now. Peace.


Harold Kajja wrote this after Mbale:
We take this opportunity to thank our leaders in Bugishu led by the Secretary General my brother Nathan Nandala-Mafabi, Hon. Jack Wamanga Wamai and the entire FDC leadership for the work weldone in mobilising and keeping our support strong. This was a great day for the Launch of the FDC Manifesto. The Gishu showed Dr. Kizza Besigye is the President. Kigwa Leero.
Kizza Besigye message to Mbale:
“Babatu be’Mbale Mwanyala Naabi (People of Mbale Thank you very much”

The NRM had to be there, they couldn’t help themself:

In 24th October 2015 the Mbale Council Mr Robert Wambede said this:
“We are following up on the owners. We are going to drag them to court for littering the town and the clock tower”.
Wonder if the Mr Wambede going to go against the Mzee?
Peace!

Today there been issues with NRM and Mzee campaigning that have involved in the matter of electoral practices. Firstly the comrades for the National Resistance Movement decided to tear up Go-Forward Posters and pin-up posters of Mzee in Karamoja region. The pictures tell the story. The other issues are bigger, but the Electoral Commission has said before the campaign rallies that this was not acceptable, still it happens everywhere and Mzee’s campaign posters are standing strong and not touched while opposition candidates ones are destroyed or pinned over. That must be something to think about Badru Kiggundu aye?
Today NRM Convoy where in the Kabale region and had campaign rallies in the area. So before the campaign rallies the President Museveni had to breach the new-found regulations that Presidential Candidates are not allowed to visit.

First: He visited the Kabale Muncipal Grounds and laid flowers (Wreath) on the graves of the fallen Patriotic Freedom Fighters who we’re fallen in 1973. This is Okayed by the Electoral Commission while Hon. Amama Mbabazi we’re not allowed into a Memorial Grounds during his campaign trail. Well, who can stop the almighty President right?

Second: He visit a public building which is a museum in Muhanga Town, this was the Great Lakes Museum. To oversee the structure and building; something that would been closed down by Police and not let the other Presidential Candidate visit the premises.

Third: There we’re rally over the stipulated time in Kabale from the Mzee, the other candidates get issues and closed venues if they go over the 6:00 PM. This have happen to Hon. Amama Mbabazi and Dr. Kizza Besigye during the campaign trail. Mzee hold it over the time while the Police we’re standing and looking at the breach of the regulation, because they know who keeps them paid.

Fourth: The citizens who would attend the rally in Kabale we’re promised UGX 3,000shs for attending the rallies that is real loyalty just the way Mzee likes it. If he can pay you and you do something for him, then you’re a proud NRM-Supporter.
So know we have all seen this and known that in recent days that the Anti-Riot Police have followed Hon. Amama Mbabazi and police have tried to get people to shun the campaign rallies of Dr. Kizza Besigye, how can he continue like nothing? And still claim to be democratic and ask for respectful language from his competitors?
There are so much I could say and describe in on matter, but at this point why should I. There is coming more and we are 45 day to the polls starts smashing and I fear the online will strike and social media shut-down on 18th February. We all know that the beacon of truth and justice is dangerous of Mzee and his cadres. So here we are, his tactics and opposition fear-mongering are continuing. Like the life-time ruler he is and wish to overcome an be able to reign for over 30 years. Peace.