Kayihura warns the Opposition that the Demonstrations will not be like in 2011; and they will stand down until the country is “safe” in the “new” government!

Kayihura Kasese Bundibugyo 24.03.2016

As we could predicate like clockwork is that the Police Force would enforce the banning and interim orders of the Constitutional Court from Deputy Justice Stephen Kavuma yesterday. So since the clock is ticking… the IGP Kayihura had to speak his peace, and his Peace is not peace for anybody else then the NRM regime and the NRM cronies. As proven with his rhetoric today. Take a look yourself!

Kale Kayihura says this today:

“We were able to have peaceful elections contrary to what had been anticipated by many people. It was a big achievement and something you cannot take lightly because had we not done it, it would now be a different story” (…)”We can’t allow something similar to what happened in 2011 during the swearing in ceremony. Our main mission (of securing elections) was done but we can’t stand down until the country is safe and secure with the new government” (…)”There were predictions of violence before, during and after elections but thanks to the security forces that ensured this did not happen. The future of our country is very bright as people live in peace and happiness” (Kazibwe, 2016).

Besigye 2011 W2W Arrest

This is might what he is afraid of:

“Cheers of excitement turned to eerie silence as the police fired tear gas to disperse the crowds. Protesters scattered and made their way to a soccer field, where they held a mock swearing-in of Mr. Besigye” (…)”But in recent weeks, the protests’ narrative and political momentum have built as the government has mounted a brutal and at times fatal response, making many Ugandans rethink the extent of the nation’s democracy” (…)”On Tuesday, the police used water cannons to disperse a group of six people, some of them political leaders, who were huddled against a building. Another opposition leader was whisked away in a police van” (…)”Lots of this anger is being vented at Museveni as he is sworn in, both because of widespread belief of fraud in the election and because of the way the government has handled Besigye,” said Elliott Green, a specialist on Uganda at the London School of Economics. “The next question is where things might go from here.” (Kron, 2011).

But last time it was the Police who came with brutality and used all force, dispersed and detained the opposition. Therefore Dr. Kizza Besigye had to go to hospital in Kenya before arriving back in Uganda. The Post-Election violence was massive in the last go-around.

Bukwo FDC Campaign Trail 060116 P3

This just had to happen the day after the Deputy Justice Stephen Kavuma who made the Interim Order of banning the Defiance Campaign. So that he comes with warnings is just a sensational as the sunrise every morning. It just have to occur; the issue is with the favour and extent he goes in. As he claims that the FDC and their campaign is to destroy the peace and the happiness of the country. That says that in his mind only NRM can bring peace, and if other disobey then they creating havoc and chaos. Initially saying so, but the words of non-violence during, under and after the elections of 2016 is a lie. He must have forgotten the pre-election violence of Rukungiri, Jinja and other. During the Campaign trail of Bukwo district, Ntungamo and the state of the violence before the Makerere Rally in February; then after that there been steady violence in the country. Something that IGP Kayihura knows as the army has been deployed in Kasese and Rwenzori. The Bundibugyo and Kapchorwa killings combined with the Kasese and Rwenzururu Kingdom killings proves the levels of blood that have been taken after the election. So a real it is not.

Lira10082015P2

Combined with the connection of the Police Force enforcing preventative arrests, detaining, stopping demonstrations, applying detaining for unlawful behaviour even when they just trying to do party work. The other is the monitoring and spying on the opposition even when they have to comply for their actions to the Police as the POMA act says. And the Parties have obliges with that, even when he ruling party together with the Police have used all force to oppress them.

So I have trouble with the simplistic view of the acts of his Police Force towards fellow country-men and how he target fellow citizens who happens to be Opposition as enemies and with Anti-Riot Police Force. So the Peace he speaks is a forced peace. A Peace that is forced by fear and by tear-gas and detaining the opposition, not creating a space for dialogue or real peace in the country; because the Police Force does not hesitate to act upon the men and woman who might counter to the NRM, as they did to the people who closed their shops as a demonstration to the rigged election.

Jinja Police 10915 P1

So his precaution of the 2011 Walk To Work is the statement as he has moved certain men who was involved like Andrew Felix Kaweesi and I am sure others are moved to the Kampala Metropolitan. Because they want to be sure that they can dissolve any demonstration as they want the perfect day for the 7th Term of President Museveni and his NRM that the Police Force is loyal too!

So we can be assured that the Police Force is ready to follow the words of the interim orders of the judge of 29th April 2016. Because he will use any excuse to extend the Police State of NRM and their thieving of power. Since the legitimate leader is not in the NRM, if it was so then they would not need to threaten the public. The Legitimacy is certainly bubbled down and cracked, therefore the silence and non-celebration except for the people of Uganda Media Centre who is paid men of the Ruling Party. So long behold the Swearing-In at Kololo Independence Ground on the 12th May. The reality is that the Police Force will use force on the 5th May, but if the Opposition able to mobilize as they did during campaign and Nomination day of the November 2015. Something I hope, and pray for, because if so the Police Force will be a small minority who should not hurt that big of a crowd and certainly that amount of people would monitor and share footage of the havoc so the media of the world would condemn the violent actions of the Police as they harass the Opposition with a steady pace. Peace.

Reference:

Kazibwe, Kenneth – ‘Gen. Kayihura Warns FDC on Inauguration Demo’ (30.04.2016) link: http://www.chimpreports.com/kayihura-speaks-out-on-fdc-inauguration-demo/

Kron, Josh – ‘Protests Overshadow Inauguration in Uganda’ (12.05.2011) link: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/13/world/africa/13uganda.html?_r=0

Opinion: The Ugandan Police is so embedded into the Politics; that it’s level is questionable; as IGP Kayihura decides and ushers political work: when he should focus on crime and not on Besigye!

Anti Riot Police 30.01.2016 Before FDC Campaign Kabale

The Ugandan Police have monitored and been a political engine for long but the recent days and months to prove to what extent. As the realization of how embedded in the ruling it is. There is not only the ways the Uganda Police Force is detaining Opposition and Monitoring Opposition leaders. That with the knowledge of the Democratic Party members, Forum for Democracy leader and supporters; the way the Police uses it’s time to cause havoc around Besigye every time he kicks his shoes on the outside of the compound of Kasangati, Wakiso.

We are at the point as I have realised something that is not only a Police State where the Police is embedded with the Political Framework and monitoring the Opposition. That is bad enough. It is nothing positive when you know that the Police is Preventative Arrest and dropping more charges on the Opposition leaders then there are Malaria Medicine at the Yumbe Referral Hospital. Not that says lots of the state of Yumbe Hospital, more about the state of Police who has the time to add charges on every movement from the several citizens who have a mind of not being parts of the National Resistance Movement, henceforth challenging the freedoms and liberty of these individuals deserve.

Well, the Police Force have taken the liberty to involve themselves directly in the Politics. As the Inspectorate General of the Police have taken decisions that he shouldn’t have. Not in an ordinary state of affairs, as his job should take criminals not decide political issues. The IGP Kayihura have taken the decisions to crash consultations meetings and stopping the opposition from having ordinary work and assemble in districts and towns around the country. Well, that is under framework of the Public Order Management Act. That is not what made me think today. It is because as the Councillors of Kampala was sent to the Executive or President Museveni, with the cover-up of the involvement of the Police in that shin-ding.

Kale Kayihura Letter to Amama 040915

“He [Kayihura] made telephone calls to some councilors who were having second thoughts about attending the meeting,” one of his aides told us” (Kiggundu & Lubwama, 2016). This proves his involvement in politics and using his networks of security organizations in Kampala together with talk to bring them to the State House. That is not the job of them, but in the regime these days it is…

What made me think was the knowledge of the existence of a Senior Super of Police Susan Kasingye Commissioner Electoral & Political. That the Uganda Police Force need a person to commission the Electoral and Political offenses and the admission of doing political work in the country as she must have a Commission who monitors and decisions of the Political Parties as she can’t be as useless as Hon. Byandala the Minister without Portfolio. Ms. Kasingye the daughter of Kayihura must have something to do, as she must be involved in the care of collecting information and spying on the Political Parties. If Norbert Mao thinks of drinking in Gulu or Padre; If Mbabazi thinks of filling gas on the only car he has in his driveway and so on.

sir-humphrey-appleby

But to have Directorate and Commission on Electoral and Political should boggle your mind and send the “Yes, Minister” squabble and crass reality as if a man throws the egg to the wall and think that it still be a whole egg. An egg is fragile and will break on the moment it hits the wall. That is something we knows as we know how weak the eggshell is before throwing it into the air.

As we still remembers how the public shunned the local councillor elections and the tiny numbers as the Electoral Commission was tallying the results. In midst of this there was waiting for the final call from IGP Kayihura to verify if Makerere Division of Kampala where the results was showing that Doreen Nyanjura was the winner, but the EC didn’t verify and accept the result before Kayihura had given his thumbs-up; as there was speculated that he tried to trade the position to somebody else and the deal went through. And if it is so, then the Political system is totally infiltrated by the Police Force.    

When you also knows that the Daughter of Kayihura is a SSP Kasingye and works with the Political Aspect of Policing then you can start to wonder what they are up-to and to what extent as the Police Force have already destroyed and inflicted their presence into the sphere of the opposition parties and their assembly. The other is the way the IGP Kayihura have all through the Pre-Election period and Campaigning either stifled the opposition or ushered the stage for the ruling party. That is evident through the stages, radio-closing, guarding the government buildings, anti-riot police following the campaign trails and detaining opposition members and electoral monitors right after polls. The Police involvement is embedded in the structure of the state. It is not the equation that they should be in, they should catch and secure that their no theft, killings and crimes done, not what Mbabazi or Besigye is up to as citizens of the Republic of Uganda. Peace

Reference:

EDRIS KIGGUNDU & SIRAJE LUBWAMA – ‘Inside story of Museveni, KCCA Entebbe meeting’ (27.04.2016) link: http://www.observer.ug/news-headlines/43917-museveni-meeting-with-councillors-attacks-musisi

The worrying signs of Police brutality in the coming elections in Kenya; as the Anniversary Tower and the siege of IEBC offices turns heads; My question to the JAP is: If they will be gentlemen or conning rulers, in either the spirit of Mwai Kibaki or the spirit of Daniel Arap Moi?

Odinga 25.04.2016

Just as the dust-settles and the tear-gas canisters get cleaned away from the area of the Anniversary Tower of Nairobi after the demonstration yesterday that ended in Police Brutality and arrogance from the Kenya Metropolitan Police Japhet Koome and his IGP Joseph Boinnet. They did this in service for the ruling party and the ruling government.

Ladies and Gentlemen President Mugabe of Zimbabwe because of yesterday have let the world know that Hon. Raila Odinga cannot look at the Lancaster House in Harare and see the inflation levels up-close in the Republic of Zimbabwe. That because the grand dictator of Southern Africa is disgusted with the actions of the CORD leader and his Political Alliance.

Let’s be clear, for the Jubilee Alliance Party MPs and Leaders speaking their mind and trying to deflect the issue. The Danger is the vacuum that the political framework is creating. Everything can’t be fixed building walls even if Donald Trump and Ministry of Interior CS Joseph Nkaissery building them to secure themselves. The same metaphor should not happen between the current ruling party and coalition towards the ODM, WDM and FORD-K of the CORD. That will just make it more heated then needed in the coming months.

Arap Moi Fronpage

Just as this is happening certain voices has answered with this:

“Chief Justice Willy Mutunga has condemned the Monday teargassing incident by police on a group of CORD protesters who were calling for the removal of commissioners at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission” (…)“The past is never dead. The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” William Faulkner. “Faulkner’s quote is my very painful reflection that teargassing of peaceful demonstrations has not been our past since our independence!” said Mutunga on his Twitter account” (Ombati, 2016).

This is a just answer to what happen as the Police shouldn’t attack fellow citizens in this way. That is not the way of creating dialogue between the CORD and JAP. That just becomes to stale counterparts who creates an environment that makes it harder to reform and make changes in society as the CORD will be bluntly pushed away by the security forces and Police Force without any impunity. Then I came over this fellow. The Embu Senator Lenny Kivuti said this!

Senator Lenny

Also the other reaction the CORD demonstration yesterday:

“We are thankful to God the way Kenya has been peaceful. We do not wish the country to plunge into turmoil again,” said Mr Kivuti” (…)”Anyone who has evidence against any IEBC official who has done something wrong should come forward,” said Mr Kivuti” (…)”Those against IEBC (commissioners) should start their campaigns early,” he said” (Wanyoro, 2016).

You are right at some Point, but the ones creating violence and tension yesterday wasn’t the demonstrators, but the Police Force and their reactions to the demonstration itself. This is the chain-reaction from the ones shooting the tear-gas and demolishing the citizens who have reacted together with their political party; something that Mr. Kivuti should understand as a political figure himself.

Well, the issue I have is that the IEBC have acted in bad-faith and created a uncertainty of their connection towards the ruling regime and the coming election if they will be civil. Then the IEBC need to be a unit that is not connected to none else then the procedure. The IEBC should be independent and not be partial towards any government or the Executive.

IEBC BALLOT-BOX-BYELCTION1

That is the issue that the Opposition have since the lawfulness of the Electoral Commission of the IEBC seems to be embedded with the Jubilee. Since it seems like that and the way they obviously demolished the Constitutional Referendum also questions their level of independence as the rules now is tailor-made for the ruling elite and is not opening up to the opposition parties.

So the Hon. Raila Odinga (ODM), Hon. Moses Wentagula (FORD-K) and Hon. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka (WDM) the main trio of the CORD went into the cross-fire and melee. Because of the Anti-Riot Police under the regime put the tear-gas and the bullets towards fellow citizens without any questions. As they wanted to get answers for their muffling and hustling the reality coming to the opposition.

UhuruandRuto

The Ruling Party and the Opposition need both to relax into the coming months even as the aspired campaigning will start. The worry is that the police of Nairobi have set the precedence and might even create more havoc for the opposition as the ruling party can do as they do without any questions. That with the sense of how the Police entered and made the situation more unclear at Kakamega around 2nd April 2016; where the Police even hurt fellow protesters and fellow supports of FORD-K and ODM supporters. This here is not now a single incidence at the once again the Police went all-in in Nairobi yesterday.

The IGP Boinnet need to think through if his loyalty is to the citizens of the Kenyan People or the President and his ruling regime. The same must the Nairobi Police Commander Koome need to think about. Where does their loyalty lay we may ask?

IGP Boinnet

The other question after yesterday should be to reconcile the Opposition, the Police and the IEBC quickly and briefly if not then the hate-speeches and the termination of the resilience of the opposition will prosper in the vacuum created by this. That is not good for the ruling regime and their rhetoric. Especially, if them in the JAP speaks like the Senator Kivuti, who blames the Opposition for it, and not the ones who created the mess yesterday. Then you will have a stalemate and none will be able to counter each other in peace.

The peace that it will be will be shallow and the sudden impact might arrive later and nobody wants that. The need for dialogue and create an established level playing-ground. Not build walls, not throw tear-gas and not call each other out for non-sense need to be made. As the CORD only did what they knew, as much as the Jubilee live in arrogance and elitist place where the CORD wishes seems to be extra work and not earn extra on. Therefore the reforms from them are pointless as the ruling regime does not earn on listening to the opposition.

kenya-press_2721233b

The Ruling Regime seems to be fixed in their own island and think they are untouchable out of reach and the ones that deserve to run the country without question. That is not a healthy position especially when the bodies that runs elections are questioned for their independence from the current regime. Not that the opposition is always right or always wrong. But when they can question the behaviour and the actions of the institution and then get tear-gassed for doing so; then there are something missing in the dialogue between the opposition and the government body. The Government is an overbuilding of all the citizens, even the ones that didn’t vote for the current government, the government represent the whole country even the voters and supports of the CORD; they do not only represent the JAP. That is important thing to put in mind and in spirit of the discussion and movement into the coming elections in 2017.

There are roads to take and hurdles to pass, but the way they are taken will show the true character of the ruling regime and the real ethical space of all actors in the political landscape in Kenya. The determined actions and rational deficiency of the speech and asks from opposition should be worry for the ruling regime. The vacuum and the impression of the stalemate is not creating the effect or the stable consensus that should be there. This not about Hon. Odinga, Hon. Wetangula or Hon. Musyoka and their parties alone, it’s about the image and maturity of the JAP and their president Kenyatta and Deputy Ruto.

The question is: If they will be gentlemen or conning rulers in either the spirit of Mwai Kibaki or the spirit of Daniel Arap Moi? How will the Jubilee want to be remembered and how will they lead into the elections as the legitimate leaders and might be after the elections. But if the elections are run by a questionable government body then the result of the ballot might be altered in favour of the rulers who secures the payment of salaries; instead of being independent of whom ever who runs and who might be running the government and appoint the government body. That is why we have to worry and question the actions that lead to tear-gas around the Anniversary Square and the outcome of yesterday’s Police Force in Nairobi towards the CORD demonstration. If we don’t then we let them get away without even a scratch for the tears and the agony while the ruling elite rides their Mercedes and appoint officials without questions is not a healthy political environment and not the kind of precedence that His Excellency Kenyatta would leave his name to and be remembered for. Peace.    

Reference:

Ombati, Cyrus – ‘Chief Justice Willy Mutunga condemns teargassing of CORD protesters (26.04.2016) Link: http://standardmedia.co.ke/article/2000199641/cj-mutunga-condemns-teargassing-of-cord-protesters

Wanyoro, Charles – ‘Cord protest against IEBC could spark unrest, Senator Lenny Kivuti warns’ (26.04.2016) link: http://www.nation.co.ke/counties/Senator-warns-Cord-protests-could-spark-unrest/-/1107872/3177060/-/14pl832/-/index.html

Interview with Fidelis Mbah about Equatorial Guinea elections (Youtube-Clip)

 

EU Election Observers reports says the Ugandan Elections of 2016 was: “Consequently, the legal framework contains gaps and ambiguities and therefore, in several instances, falls short of international principles for holding genuine democratic elections”

UGDebate16 Prayer

There been written a lot about the General Elections in Uganda of 2016, myself is guilty for doing so and with that in mind. I have read through the newly released Report of the European Union Election Observers Mission of 2016. That is worthy of taking what I see fit to broadcast and what the Europeans who went quick, took a safari and also spent some time at the Polling Stations. Here is what they said about the elections!

An important factor in what the EU thinks about the General Elections of 2016:

“Vital electoral reforms did not take place prior to the 2016 elections. Proposed amendments to the electoral legislation, compiled under the ‘Uganda Citizens Compact’, aimed at enabling the conduct of democratic elections, including to increase transparency in the appointment of the EC’s members, to restore presidential term limits and to improve parties’ financial accountability, were disregarded by the executive. Consequently, the legal framework contains gaps and ambiguities and therefore, in several instances, falls short of international principles for holding genuine democratic elections” (EU EOM, 2016).

BVVR Uganda 2016

Election Verification of Voters:

“The newly introduced voter registration system improved inclusiveness and accuracy of the voter register (VR). The final VR contained 15.277 million voters. However, establishing the cut-off date of 11 May 2015 for inclusion in the voter register disenfranchised approximately half million potential voters who turned 18 after this date” (EU EOM, 2016).

Lack of Transparency:

While legislation contains provisions on reporting and disclosure of political finance, these are neither followed by parties and candidates, nor enforced by the EC. This lack of transparency weakens the credibility of the elections” (EU EOM, 2016).

FDC 18.02.2016 Besigye Arrested

Maladministration of the vote:

“Voters showed remarkable determination on election day, waiting long hours to cast their ballots. The markedly late arrival of electoral material in certain areas marred an otherwise calm election day. The EC failed to address growing tensions among people deferred from voting. Instead, an imposing presence of police in the vicinity of polling stations was observed. Further shortcomings, such as unsealed ballot boxes in 20 per cent and compromised secrecy of vote in 11 per cent of polling stations visited, were observed by the EU EOM. Positively, party agents and domestic observers were mostly present in polling stations visited by the EU EOM” (EU EOM, 2016).

Talley Centre mishaps:

“In 85 per cent of the District Tally Centres (DTCs) observed, the printed sub-county results, broken down to polling station level, were not handed out or publicised. The Electronic Result and Transmission System, used to transmit the collated results from districts to the EC, did not contain key anti-fraud measures. In several districts, the electronic transfer did not take place; the results were brought to the EC by the district returning officer in person. The final tallying for these districts could not be observed, further undermining the integrity of the process” (EU EOM, 2016).

Kiggundu 19.02.2016

The Badru Kiggundu’s soul:

“The chairperson of the Commission expressed regret that he had nominated an opposition presidential candidate; made public remarks on a candidate’s family member, and on another occasion described him as not “exactly being a fountain of honour” (EU EOM, 2016).

Amama Blocked from enroute Mulagi to Busolwa 11.01.2016

Police intervene in the Election:

“On a number of occasions, opposition candidates, particularly from the FDC and TDA/Go Forward, were denied access to campaign venues, restricting their ability to campaign freely. The EU EOM received reports and observed extensive use of force by police, including teargas and assault rifles, to disperse crowds during Kizza Besigye’s and Amama Mbabazi’s rallies in Bukwo, Kasenge, and Ntungamo, among others.25 On 15 February, police detained Besigye twice, preventing him from addressing scheduled rallies in Central Kampala, and used teargas and live ammunition against his supporters, resulting in one death and several injuries” (EU EOM, 2016).

Government officials intervene in the Election:

The orchestrated use of state resources and personnel for campaign purposes was observed. Government officials took an active role in the NRM campaign, with several Resident District Commissioners and high-ranking security officials openly endorsing the candidacy of President Museveni and the NRM campaign. Thus, candidates’ equality of opportunity was not respected” (EU EOM, 2016).

Bukwo FDC Campaign Trail 060116 P3

Intimidation during the Election:

“In Bukwo district on 6 January, the police dispersed the campaign rally of FDC presidential candidate Besigye in Toriet Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp using teargas and assault rifles. Several senior FDC figures received minor injuries. The police stated that Besigye diverted from his planned route without justification and thus provoked acts of public disorder” (…)”On 25 January, the IGP stated that all critics who are simply ‘political opportunists’ can ‘go hang.’ On 27 January, he was also quoted saying ‘power shall not be handed over to the opposition to destabilise the peace the country has fought for.’ In a press release, the police later claimed that the media had misquoted the IGP” (…)”EU EOM observers received reports of intimidation of opposition and opposition supporters in Amuru, Bujenje, Buliisa, Gulu, Isingiro, Kamwenge, Kapchorwa, Kasese, Kiruhura, Kisoro, Lira, Masindi, Mbarara, Moroto, Mukono, Nakapiripirit, Nwoya, and Wakiso. Intimidation of voters was reported from Kiboga, Lira, Luweero, Moroto, Nakapiripirit and Sembabule districts” (EU EOM, 2016).

M7 16.11.15

Bad rhetoric during the Election:

“On 9 October, the President was quoted as saying that anybody who attempts to oppose him will, ‘Be smashed completely and no trace of his remains will be found on the ground,’ and on 20 December that ‘The thugs who attacked NRM supporters in Ntungamo will pay dearly.’ NRM secretary general Justine Kasule Lumumba was quoted on Radio Simba on 25 January saying, ‘We shall shoot anyone who will come on the streets to demonstrate against vote rigging.’ On 1 February, the deputy RDC in Jinja was quoted saying: ‘Whoever will be found disrupting the February 18 elections in Jinja District will be shot dead.’” (EU EOM, 2016).

Campaign funding disclosure:

“The total amount of money jointly spent by presidential and parliamentary candidates is not independently calculated and verified. According to presidential candidate Amama Mbabazi, he funded his three billion UGX campaign from his personal funds and received no donations. Kizza Besigye disclosed that his expenses totalled one billion UGX, of which 96 million UGX were donations. Incumbent president Museveni’s campaign team refused to disclose the amount/value or sources of his campaign funds” (EU EOM, 2016).

Police 29.02.2016 Kasangati

Media Freedom during the Elections:

“The NRM, with more funds at its disposal, admits to frequently using paid-for pseudo-journalism to boost its visibility and enhance the reputation of both the party and its candidates. An edifying example of the system in place occurred in Rwenzori, where 17 outspoken journalists were compelled to attend the President’s briefing in Masindi state lodge. The President not only instructed journalists to campaign for the NRM at grassroots level, but also provided them with financial ‘facilitation’. Consequently, the line between advertisements and editorial content was blurred and the impartiality of information offered to the electorate was eroded” (…)”Hostile statements targeting outlets owned by the country’s largest commercial media house, Nation Media Group (NMG), were repeatedly made by the President and reiterated by the state’s top executives. This reverberated at the local level, with the RDCs and other state actors orchestrating measures that encourage self-censorship on issues that might be perceived as critical to the President or the government. Intimidating phone calls, “guidance meetings” for journalists and editors chaired by the law enforcement bodies, as well as requests to submit the radio’s programming to the RDC or local UCC representative prior to broadcasting were the most wide-spread measures applied to put media under pressure. The EU EOM received reports on such occurrences in 20 districts” (…)”On 24 January the President stated: “Monitor and NTV don’t know that there is a good, they just tell lies…. NTV is an enemy”. The President voiced a similar statement on 31 January. On 29 January the minister of Information and National Guidance: “There is no media house that can take the law in their hands…we definitely shall close them down”. The government/NRM spokesperson criticized media on 1 February. On 9 February owners and editors of all leading media houses were invited to the dinner hosted by the EC and the UCC where all were warned that UCC will “without a hesitation sanction the media outlets” (…)”Media monitoring findings correspond the parties’ and candidates’ assessment of the balance and quality of local radio coverage of their campaign. While 78 per cent of the NRM’s local leadership believes that media featured them fairly, the FDC’s assessment of radio’s impartiality is diametrically opposed, with 78 per cent of local party representatives listing examples of biased coverage. In 21 districts, opposition candidates were denied access to radio broadcasts or stations, and in 32 districts, biased coverage against FDC, Democratic Party (DP) or Go Forward was reported” (EU EOM, 2016).

Kampala 18.02.2016

Election Day:

“In at least four cases, the police used teargas to disperse voters at polling stations. Only shortly before the official closing of the polling stations at 4 PM did the EC chairman announce the three-hour extension of voting in Kampala and Wakiso district. This was poorly communicated to the polling staff in affected areas, and EU EOM observers reported polling stations being closed at first and only after some hesitation did the polling staff improvise and try to re-open voting sites” (…)”Unauthorised persons were present in eight per cent of polling stations observed, and in none of them did the presiding officer requested them to leave. Essential election material was missing in 12 per cent of polling stations observed. Typically, the missing material was seals, but in a small number of cases also ballot boxes, ballot papers in sufficient numbers and the voter register was not available” (…)”In one quarter of the polling stations, observers encountered voters being turned away for not being on the voter register. Such a high percentage of voters not being aware of the location of the polling station indicates the lack of voter information prior to the elections. Only in two per cent of the polling stations visited were voters deprived of voting without lawful grounds” (EU EOM, 2016).

Counting:

“In 37 per cent of polling stations observed, the Presiding Officer had difficulties completing the Declaration of Result Forms (DRF), and in almost half of the polling stations the filling in of the Accountability of Ballot Papers Form proved to be problematic. In 20 per cent of polling stations where closing was observed, the numbers in the DRFs did not reconcile. This can be attributed to malpractice, negligence and/or numerical errors. The latter two were widespread since there were neither provisions nor even proper guidelines on how to conduct the reconciliation at the polling station level. Moreover, after filling in all forms, the safety and integrity of the DRF was not ensured in 30 per cent of polling stations observed, as they were not put into the tamper-proof envelope as prescribed by EC instructions. Intimidation of polling staff during the counting was reported from four polling stations observed by the EU EOM observers. In 93 per cent of polling stations observed at closure, results were not posted outside the polling stations, as required by law. Nevertheless, party agents were given copies of the DRFs in 93 per cent of cases” (EU EOM, 2016).

Masaka Talley Center 19.02.2016

Tallying:

“The ban on social media on mobile devices was not lifted for four consecutive days. The overall environment created by state actors during the final stages of the tallying of results curbed voters’ right to access to information as called for in Uganda’s international and regional commitments” (…)”Further constrains on the public’s access to information originated from the EC’s statement de facto prohibiting media to publicise results announced at the polling stations. Such live reports on results by polling station is a habitual and defining feature of Ugandan media’s election coverage as it enables each voter to independently verify the results in his or her polling station. With the FDC’s leadership being detained, the police surrounding Mbabazi’s home, and with critical media being effectively silenced, the EC held a monopoly over both the content of electoral results information and the pace of its disclosure” (EU EOM, 2016). “The results, however, did not contain data from 1,787 polling stations, affecting 43 districts, eight of them strongly” (EU EOM, 2016). The EC eventually updated the final result on 22 February, adding the results from 1,658 polling stations. The EC also nullified results from 129 polling stations in 34 districts due to various malpractices, including disruptions during voting and the number of votes cast exceeding 100 per cent of registered voters. However, the list of affected polling stations was not published, thus compromising the EC’s accountability” (…)”These were Jinja with 388 polling stations (PS) out of 399 missing, Rukungiri with 273 PS out of 276 missing, Kyenjojo with 277 PS out of 337 missing, Kabale 190 PS out of 478, Kampala with 162 PS out of 1,338, Wakiso 119 PS out of 1,359, Isingiro with 88 PS out of 385, and Ntungamo with 78 PS out of 432 missing. These eight districts account for 1,575 or 88.5 per cent of the missing PS” (EU EOM, 2016).

M7 2016 Post Interview quote

It is good to see that the Elections Observers is saying the same as so many other people have said about it. This here counters the words of Andrew Mwenda, Ofwono Opondo and President Museveni. The words that should stick to into President Museveni mind is this:

“Consequently, the legal framework contains gaps and ambiguities and therefore, in several instances, falls short of international principles for holding genuine democratic elections”.

Because he said this after the elections was over: “am glad that my people here have seen the mistake of listening to foreign meddlers.” (…) “If the international community has lost confidence in us, it is a compliment and it means we are right”.

So in his mind because the European Union now saying he is wrong and that the framework is co-operative with free and fair elections; then in the mind of President Museveni means we’re right. The President Museveni has now “won” the 7th Term and is ready for his 31 years of power. He is double the age of average aged Ugandan. So there is something missing and wished for. Therefore the ending of the tension and the presence of security outfits in nearby area. The Army and Police Force is close by and the ones that keep him in Power. Not the loyalty of the people or the legitimacy of the way he became the incumbent again! Peace.

Mou EOM GoU 2015

P.S. Mr. Eduard Kukan I will be honest I had little faith in you and your mission as the fraudulent and praising foreign missions to express faith in the government they are funding through donor-aid and direct-budget funds. Therefore I thought that you would naturally say it was free and fair without hesitation. Because you went from Slovakia to go on Safari, drink some sodas and have matooki and be merry. But I am glad you did your job well, not because of your view, but because of sense observations and reports been told. That seems genuine as your concern for the maladministration and fraudulent elections you observed.

Reference:

European Union Election Observation Mission – ‘Uganda Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Council Elections, 18 February 2016’ (April 2016)

Congo: 17 killed in Brazzaville clashes; govt blames militia leader (Youtube-Clip)

The Congolese government on Tuesday night announced that 17 people had died in Monday morning’s gunfire in the capital Brazzaville accusing former militia leader, Frederic Bintsamou, of being personally involved in the disorders.  According to Thierry Moungalla, spokesman for the Congolese government, 17 people (3 agents of police, 2 civilians and 12 attackers) were killed in the “terrorist attack” that targeted the southern districts of the capital before “rapid response” of the police” (africanews, 2016).

Ruto and Sang case: Statement, ICC spokesperson, 5 April 2016 (Youtube-Clip)

“Today, 5 April 2016, Trial Chamber V(A) of the International Criminal Court decided, by majority, Judge Herrera Carbuccia dissenting, that the case against William Samoei Ruto and Joshua Arap Sang is to be terminated. According to the majority, this decision does not preclude new prosecution in the future either at the ICC or in a national jurisdiction. This decision may be subject to appeal.
The Chamber considered the requests of Mr Ruto and Mr Sang that the Chamber find that there is ‘no case to answer’, dismiss the charges against both accused and enter a judgment of acquittal. The Chamber also considered the opposing submissions of the Prosecutor and the Legal Representative of the Victims, and received further submissions during hearings held from 12 to 15 January 2016.
On the basis of the evidence and arguments submitted to the Chamber, Presiding Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji and Judge Robert Fremr, as the majority, agreed that the charges are to be vacated and the accused are to be discharged. They provided separate reasons for this decision.
Judge Fremr found that there is no case for the accused to answer based on an assessment of the Prosecution’s evidence in accordance he considered that the Prosecution did not present sufficient evidence on which a reasonable Trial Chamber could convict the accused. Accordingly, he considered that there is no reason to call the Defence to bring their case or to prolong the proceedings any further.
Judge Eboe-Osuji, concurring with Judge Fremr’s evidential assessment, also vacated the charges and discharged the accused without prejudice to re-prosecution in the future, However, he declared a mistrial in the case, because it cannot be discounted that the weaknesses in the Prosecution case might be explained by the demonstrated incidence of tainting of the trial process by way of witness interference and political meddling that was reasonably likely to intimidate witnesses.
The majority of the Chamber, having concluded that the Prosecution did not present sufficient evidence on which a reasonable Trial Chamber could convict the accused, also concluded that a judgment of acquittal was not the right outcome, but only vacation of the charges and discharge of the accused. The majority also agreed that there is no reason to re-characterise the charges.
Judge Herrera Carbuccia appended a dissenting opinion. In her view, the charges against both accused should not be vacated in the present case. In her view, the Prosecution’s case had not ‘broken down’ and she concluded that there is sufficient evidence upon which, if accepted, a reasonable Trial Chamber could convict the accused.
Over the course of 157 trial days, the Trial Chamber heard the testimony of 30 witnesses for the Prosecution, including two expert witnesses. During that time, the Chamber admitted into evidence 335 exhibits for the Prosecution, 226 exhibits for the Ruto Defence, and 82 exhibits for the Sang Defence. The Prosecution closed its case on 10 September 2015. At the close of the Prosecution’s case, the evidentiary record contained 92 photographs, 27 maps, 77 items of audio/visual material, and over 8,000 pages worth of documentary evidence. Throughout the trial proceedings, the Trial Chamber rendered over 400 written and oral decisions” (IntlCriminalCourt, 2016)

UoN’s Mike Jacobs speaks out on the aborted SONU election (Youtube-Clip)

“UON’s Mike Jacobs in sighting comrades to protest” (KTN News, 2016).

Mukula meets Omusinga Mumbere over Kasese violence (Youtube-Clip)

The cultural leader of Rwenzururu Kingdom, “Omusinga” Charles Wesley Mumbere, has called for a meeting with President Museveni to resolve the clashes in the Rwenzori region. The Omusinga made the call after holding a meeting with the NRM party’s east-ern region vice chairman Mike Mukula. Mukula paid the leader a visit to try and broker talks to avert further clashes” (NTV Uganda, 2016).

CEON-U: Post election Press release (01.04.2016)

CCEDU Topowa

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 1, 2016

The post election season has been characterised by tension arising from the house arrest of lead opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye, a court case by former presidential candidate Amama Mbabazi and filing court petitions for MP, L.C and municipal elections.

The Citizen Election Observers Network- Uganda (CEON-U) is concerned that the continued house arrest of the lead opposition candidate infringes on his right to freedom according to article 23 of the constitution.

In article 43 of the constitution: (I) In the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms prescribed in this Chapter, no person shall prejudice the fundamental or other human rights and freedoms of others or the public interest.

(2) Public interest under this article shall not permit-

(a) political persecution;

(b) detention without trial;

(c) any limitation of the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms prescribed by this Chapter beyond what is acceptable and demonstrably justifiable in a free and democratic society, or what is provided in this Constitution.

NBS Besigye 16.02.2016

Section 24 of the police act gives the police a right to arrest someone if he is a threat to public security, but CEON-U demands that police produces evidence that makes Besigye a threat to public security, otherwise will his arrest be indefinite.

In a multiparty system, opposition parties should not be viewed as enemies of the state, but rather as groups that provide alternative Government programmes.

As part of a process of increasing citizen participation in Uganda’s electoral process, CEON-U recently carried out an opinion survey on the recently concluded general elections.

The survey was meant to expose electoral irregularities so as to provide a premise on how to better organise elections in Uganda.

EC 22.02.2015 Guarded Heavy

Consequently;  8 CEON-U managers visited areas where there is conflict, court petitions and requests for vote recounts to establish the causes of the disputed elections. The team visited Tororo, Gulu, Kotido, Butambala, Serere, Jinja, Mayuge, Iganga, Mukono, Kasese, Bundibugyo and Ntungamo. The managers worked closely with our long-term observers who are natives of the constituencies and the districts which they observed, before, during and are observing after elections. CEON-U held focus group discussions with members of the community, local council leaders, opinion leaders and voters from all political parties in the districts.

CEON-U also met district police officials, district returning officers, registrars in courts of law and victims of electoral violence.

Oulanyah House 20.02.2016

Findings:

Generally, the presidential and parliamentary elections were peaceful, but the period leading up to the election day was volatile in all the districts visited. In Mayuge for instance a man died under unclear circumstances. He was a supporter of Robert Ntende, an independent candidate. He is said to have been killed by supporters of Idi Isabirye.

In Iganga at Idudi supporters of NRM and FDC clashed on the eve of elections over voter bribery. The NRM MP was giving out cash to voters who alerted FDC supporters. FDC supporters reacted by blocking the NRM from giving out money, the NRM called a NAADS soldier to rescue them. He came and shot dead a 25-year-old man and the crowd became more rowdy. And the soldier continued firing live bullets. In the process of the scuffle, a woman was shot through the arm and an s.3 student was shot through the neck. Both these people were not involved in the scuffle but had gone to the trading centre to buy food. This shooting took place at 8:00pm. (attached are the pictures of the victims of the shootings).

The way results were tabulated and announced at the district provided a sharp contrast with what the locals had gathered from the polling stations. This happened for all the elections, presidential, parliamentary, district council and municipal elections.

NRM UPC Arua 16.11.15

There are mainly two known political parties, the NRM and FDC; even though Uganda has 10 political parties. UPC which was once a known party is almost non-existent.

In a strong multi-party dispensation system people are given an opportunity to have divergent views on handling issues of governance. A weak political party system promotes a one party system of governance which impedes institutional growth.

The management of electoral processes by some of the district returning officials was poor.

A case in point is Jinja: When it came to the L.C.3 election of Walukuba West Parish B;

The LC 3 election had five candidates Joseph Bateganya Atumika, Bisusa Amisi Kafuko, Kirunda Isaac Kiwunda, Mande Milton and Mbulugu Emmanuel.

On Election day the ballot papers that were supplied to the polling stations had wrong names. Mande Milton was called Mande Milton Kirunda. Also party symbols were mixed up between the NRM candidate and FDC candidate. This was sufficient ground for the election to have been cancelled. However, even when the Jinja district returning officer, Ambrose Mwaita was notified about the anomaly he told the candidate Kirunda Isaac Kiwunda that electoral commission Jinja was not going to do anything about this case. A case has been filed against the electoral commission in Jinja court by Kirunda Isaac Kiwunda.

There are several other electoral disputes that have been filed in courts of law in the various districts. In Omoro Constituency there is a Petition: Simon Toolit Vs Oulanyah Jacob was logged in on March 24 2016. Simon Tollit is suing the Incumbent Oulanyah Jacob and EC over election mal practice. These included ballot boxes being kept away in a saloon, EC tampering with DR forms, EC using a Different format of the District DR Form to declare results among other things.

Anti Riot Police 30.01.2016 Before FDC Campaign Kabale

Intimidation and Violence:

In Katawi, Amuria, Bukedea and Serere there were cases of intimidation and violence. The community claimed they were beaten by militia groups and crime preventers and were warned against voting an opposition party into power. ( attached is a picture of the people who gave confessions during a focus group discussion)

In Mukono the parliamentary campaigns were characterised by violence and chaos. According to the electoral commission, Fatuma Ndisaba’s supporters used to beat up Betty Nambooze’s supporters during campaigns. There was also the problem of candidates campaigning beyond the stipulated for campaign time and supporters clashing after the campaigns.

Badru EC

Recommendations:

 The military should be restrained from participating in elections, because elections are volatile in nature. Electoral commission should improve its image by investigating and eventually laying off district returning officers who are said to have altered DR forms and extorted money from candidates who wanted to be announced winners.   All political parties should be treated equally and respectfully by the Government in power.  The Government should seriously consider the electoral reforms that civil society presented last year. Presiding officers and polling assistants should be better remunerated to prevent them from being compromised during elections.  Management of elections is not a single days event. Planning and training of officials, desk officers, middle level managers, desk officers, heads of departments on the process of elections should start the second month after the general elections. Training presiding and polling officials should be done a month to the elections to minimise errors on the DR forms.

Ugandan Election 2016 Grieving

Conclusion:

The democratic path is a long bumpy one, despite the many electoral irregularities that marred the recently concluded elections, the gains made over the last 30 years cannot just be thrown away. We need more concerted effort to promote true democratic ideals.

For more information about CEON-U contact Dr Martin Mwondha on 0788929052 or email omwondha662@yahoo.com visit our website at http://www.ceonu.or.ug (CEON – Uganda) – Towards 2016: Conducting a Unified, Comprehensive and effective election Observation Mission in Uganda. You can also visit the FHRI offices in Nsambya.