The Weekly: Uganda (Youtube-Clip)

“Who will be The Weekly’s favourite person this week?” (The Weekly, 2016)

Bishop Kaggwa Blames Government For Kasese Attacks (Youtube-Clip)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQXB3i9Cpjo

“In Masaka, the diocesan Bishop John Baptist Kaggwa took to the pulpit during Good Friday mass and implored security agents against using excessive force when curbing demonstrations. Citing the case of Kasese, according to the bishop, if security had acted with restraint, lives would never have been lost” (NBS TV Uganda, 2016).

Press Statement on the Post Election Environment in the in Rwenzori Region (29.02.2016)

Bundibugyo 27.02.2016

Rwenzori Consortium for Civic Competence (RWECO) & the members: Kali, Good Hope Foundation for Rural Development, Ride Africa and RICNET ere accredited as election observers during the Presidential and Parliamentary  on 18th Feb, 2016 & local council elections on 24th Feb. 2016. RWECO and her members deployed a team of 150 as short term observers and long term observers in Bundibugyo, Ntoroko, Kabarole, Kyenjojo, Kyegegwa, Kamwenge and Kasese districts of Western Uganda. RWECO also deployed online platform where comments from observers were remitted through  SMS and plotted on  http://hrcp.or.ug/main. From 17th Feb, to 28th Feb, 2016, 164 messages were verified and viewed on the online platform. We commend the Electoral commission that accredited RWECO and her members during the elections.

However, as Ruwenzori region based observers, we note with concern the post -election violence that ensured during and after the elections on 18th and 24th Feb. 2016.  RWECO condemns the post- election violence that were reported  between   18th -19th  Feb, 2016 at Kasese district Electoral Commission tally center at Kasese district Multi-purpose Hall, located in Nyakasanga, Kasese-Fort Portal Road.  RWECO also condemns the post- election violence that was observed and reported in Bundibugyo District between 24th -27th Feb, 2016 after the election of district chairpersons and district councilors. These acts are either driven by personal egos and not accepting the outcome of the elections. Uganda is a democratic country for which we embrace both national and international standards of election observations and democratic processes for which citizens should welcome the out- come of the electoral process.

We wish therefore to state that:

  1. All acts of post- election violence be condemned by all actors and Uganda Police take the necessary steps to ensure that peace prevails  in the region and country at large;
  2. RWECO and her members also appeals to the candidates who lost the elections to use peaceful and lawful means to address their demands not by inciting  violence in the community;
  3. We also appeal to all stakeholders including, Police, state organs, Religious leaders, Cultural leaders and the media to join hands and give the citizens a message of hope that beyond elections, there is a life to live;
  4. Police bring the perpetrators of post- election violence to face the law of the land.

Thank you

Jimmy Baluku Odyek
Coordinator

Press Release: Uganda – Violations against opposition party impeding its efforts to contest election outcome (29.02.2016)

KB 25.02.2015

LONDON, United Kingdom, February 29, 2016. The Ugandan government is continuing to violate the human rights of leaders of the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and undermining the ability of their party to legally challenge the results of the 18 February elections, said Amnesty International in a statement, as the 10-day deadline for filing presidential election petitions looms.

Security forces have repeatedly arrested the aggrieved presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye, and some of his party leadership colleagues and supporters. They have also besieged his home, and raided the party’s main office in the capital Kampala.

“The FDC has a legal right to challenge the election results and it must be allowed to do so,” said Sarah Jackson, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for East Africa, the Horn and the Great Lakes.

“It is unacceptable for the government to stifle a lawfully-registered party from pursuing the only legal recourse available for it to contest the electoral outcome.”

Since the results were announced, Dr Besigye has been detained without charge at police stations or at his home in Kasangati, near Kampala.

His first post-election arrest was on 22 February, as he attempted to leave his home the day after he had suggested in a televised speech that he would challenge the outcome of the election in the Supreme Court.

“These arbitrary arrests are an affront to Dr Besigye’s right to freedom of movement and a clear sign of the prevailing climate of impunity and disregard for rule of law in Uganda,” said Sarah Jackson.

“The Ugandan government must fully and effectively respect its own constitution, and honour its voluntary international obligations to protect every Ugandan’s human rights, including to freedom of movement, freedom of expression, and freedom of peaceful assembly”.

Background

On 20 February, the Electoral Commission declared incumbent President Yoweri Museveni winner of the presidential election with 60.75% of the vote as opposed to Besigye’s 35.37%, an outcome Dr Besigye dismissed as fraudulent.

The election took place amidst a government-ordered social media shutdown that according to European Union (EU) election observers “unreasonably constrained freedom of expression and access to information”.

According to the police, Dr Besigye’s continued arrest was made under powers of “preventive arrest” for “utterances and activities that amount to incitement to violence and defiance of the law”. Amnesty International has examined Dr Besigye’s televised remarks and does not consider him to have incited violence.

FDC headquarters were raided by police on 19 February, while elections were ongoing in parts of Kampala. Witnesses interviewed by Amnesty International said police officers fired tear gas canisters at crowds gathered at the scene.

Discussion: My thoughts on a Power-Sharing deal between President Museveni and Dr. Kizza Besigye

m7, besigye

This here is something that has surfaced after Gen. Benon Buta Biraaro entered the premise and compound of Dr. Kizza Besigye on the 26th of February 2016. This is just days after the announcement of victory of President Museveni on the 20th February from the Electoral Commission.

So that the days of arrests and detaining of Dr. Kizza Besigye together with the oppression of the opposition party and his loyal officials and agents has been violated and arrested for following up on a flawed and a fraud of an election. The violence and police utilization as a tool to oppress the men who has declaration results forms from the districts agents as the candidates are getting to validate the counting of the ballots from the district before being announced and getting the right verdict of the will of their constituency. This here says it all when the police follows the men and trying to get the FDC officials and agents jailed and at gun-point or to rewrite the forms to fix the malfunction from the registered outcome that was announced from the Electoral Commission; it is in this context there have been talked about the opportunity to have talks to make President Museveni still in power, while giving Dr. Kizza Besigye to become his Vice President (V.P.) in a new government.

Biraaro UGDebate16

Let me be clear: this comes as the presidential candidate of the Farmers Party Gen. Biraaro have been at Kasangati home of Besigye; there been reports of meetings between Inter-Religious Council of Uganda and the Commonwealth Observer Group leader and former Nigerian President Olesegun Obasanjo, as he is supposed to mediate between President Museveni and Dr. Kizza Besigye; he is supposed to be able to talk them both into a deal that with power-sharing and keeping the peace between the persons in question.

Zim 2008

This here happen between Morgan Tsvangirai of Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and President Robert Mugabe of Zanu-PF this happen after 200 dead and violent election during 2008 after a fraudulent election that opposition leader Tsvangirai was expected to have won as his popularity had risen in the public, while the economy had gone bonkers. Thabo Mbeki the President of South Africa mediated in this crisis of leadership and got the deal between the parties, where Tsvangirai accepted becoming the deputy in a coalition government that one that still President Mugabe controlled.

Salva Kiir Poster

In the South Sudan there been issues in the leadership between the fractions of the Sudan People Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/SPLA) as they even have an outfit that is SPLM in Opposition (SPLM-O). This is as the power-struggle between President Salva Kiir and Vice-President Riek Machar; they had even used arms against each other. So when they signed a peace-agreement that was settled during the winter of 2015, has stopped the months on months with violence and destruction in the country. President Kiir has become of this also made his former enemy and now Vice President Machar. He was re-appointed after on the 12th of February 2016.

FDC HQ 19.02.2016 Police Siege

This here shows examples of it of power-sharing deals between the ruling-party and the opposition. That is the dream of some people now as the tension is running high while the Police is harassing and detaining the FDC party officials and agents. While house-arresting Dr. Kizza Besigye since the Election Day; so that he cannot file in the petition to counter the declared results of the election results. Something that President Museveni and his security outfits works to stop by any means these days and also destroy the evidence of the actual rigging of the 18th February 2016.

The way the Police have deteriorating the opposition after the elections. So they could not gather their evidence and they continue to arrest candidates agents; as they try to deliver evidence and Declaration Results Forms to the Central Organization to secure the evidence and gather the basics to the petition. If you think this kind of actions talks of somebody who want to share power. Then your blind man trying to lead another blind man; that will lead the government with somebody else, seems more like a man who wants to own the executive position. Especially also his own words for the opposition and blame of stifling development on MPs, Opposition MPs and LCV of Opposition is usually the reason for the wrong kind of development. The last straw was when he wrote in the article on the 27th February that the opposition is an “endangered species”. That says what kind of methods he will use together with the “knock-out” victory he proclaim in the article is just wild-talk from a President.

Missing boxes 20.02.2016

If President really wanted to have dialogue and actually honor Dr. Kizza Besigye and his FDC; than he hadn’t constantly stopped his movement and opportunities to make a petition or meet fellow officials to make a best casework possible. This here is viable and exercise of violent behavior that does not give credible and legitimacy for President Museveni. Except for his loyal cadres and payed mouth-pieces; the ones that has accepted his salaries for being there for the NRM and the Government under the Museveni umbrella, it is not like that will change with Dr. Kizza Besigye as V.P. The only result of such a match is to give credit to the fraudulent elections and kiss and make-up. But not do a substantial groundwork and honor the voters that were not taken care of during the Election Day and the tally that followed.

I do not believe that this is a good idea. For the simple argument: Legitimacy of a NRM-Regime and the NRM led Government. I stay clear on that point as the results has been deliberately cooked while mouthpiece of NRM Andrew Mwenda blames on twitter that opposition is lying; Mr. Mwenda there to many perfect scores and polling stations that doesn’t make sense; especially that 100% for Museveni in 133 stations, every single registered person, living and dead, every ballot and not a single invalid ballot. For some strange reason Mr. Mwenda every single ballot in those polling stations went to President Musveni! That is an amazing achievement when NGOs and CSOs who followed the elections claimed that the voter educations was lacking and missing during the pre-election period. So there are certain and even more questionable acts of fraud as the Declarations Results Forms that has altered so they can be compared to the released result from the Electoral Commission. And the voter intimidation and the way the army and police acted accordingly even facilitated rigging in certain areas, questions also the faith in the ballots and the tally result from this presidential election exercise. And with all of that mind; the FDC and Dr. Kizza Besigye should not legitimize a government who got power in that way, and by house-arresting their presidential candidate days in and days out without a warrant or reason.

The only one earning on this President Museveni and his NRM, by trading away a ceremonial position of the Vice President; silencing the opposition and their claims while still having the Executive power. The same way President Mugabe through thorough negotiations gave the V.P. to Morgan Tsvangirai, but got little legitimacy and even credit for sorting out peace between political parties. That gave him also time to give more power and access to it to the Executive. That is the same way would happen with President Museveni and instead of Mbeki negotiating the agreement; It would be Obansanjo. He is not the kind who serve power away and if a person get to much of following. And that follwing not beeing directed  to him or he feels that person has to much control in the NRM; then he clips your wings. Just as he has done in the past with Gilbert Bukenya and Amama Mbabazi; they are the essential former loyalist to NRM and Museveni, but is now outplayed by their former master.

Obansanjo Uganda 2016

In the same way President Museveni would have done with Dr. Kizza Besigye. At this point former Nigerian President Obasanjo should just take a ticket home to Lagos instead of trying to mediate between the NRM and the FDC. As this here is a stalemate and deserve to be one until justice and rule of law is followed; not only orders from President Museveni. That is the tale of the day and the way the Police and Army uses to oppress the opposition.

As he has said he wants to destroy the opposition and make them go away as they are burden to his rule. And when a President has that kind of wish and does not respect the ballots or electoral reform that does not fit him. Why should the opposition give him the honor of legitimizing his stay in power?

Museveni Debate16

Dr. Kizza Besigye, Amama Mbabazi, Olara Otunnu, Norbert Mao and all the other opposition leaders should shun the President and not honor him. Instead they should stay away from or not negotiate with him, until justice prevails and the truth of the matter get to the surface as the blatant disregard for the election from the regime is obvious and carefully orchestrated and taken care of to secure President Museveni, not the will of the people, just as Dr. Milton Obote did what he could to secure his will in 1980 election.

Kigwa Leero!  Peace.  

Letter to the President / Mr President – Ston-city (Youtube-Music-Video)

“A letter to the Ugandan President specifically and holistically to african leaders with downtrodden citizenries. This message has been approved by God” (Ston-City, 2016).

Press release from Uganda diaspora P10 – The arrest of Dr. Kizza Besigye and other opposition leaders (22.02.2016)

Kizza Besigye 23.02.2016

Uganda Diaspora, friends and Development partners join to strongly condemn the cowardly acts of arresting opposition party leaders, intimidation of the opposition voters, use of force and violence against innocent civilians.

For the last 5 days in a row, the morning of 22nd February 2016, we witnessed the arbitrary arrest of the opposition leader Dr. Kiiza Besigye, Secretary for mobilization of FDC party Ingrid Turinawe and a host of staffs at the FDC party headquarters.

The Uganda Diaspora P10 an international communication arm of the FDC Party is deeply concerned by the continued persecution, arbitrary arrest and detention without trial of opposition leaders and our supporters by the dictatorial regime in Uganda. This raises serious concerns about restrictions on the freedom of expression and assembly in Uganda.

Jinja Road 15.02.2015 P2

Uganda has degenerated into a police state with a heavily militarized police force. The police have been used to vent violence and abuse the fundamental rights and freedoms of Ugandan citizens especially the opposition.

The Opposition and citizens of Uganda have a right to express their dissatisfaction with the outcome of the February 18, 2016 election through peaceful assembly. The right to assembly and freedom of express are universal right enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Uganda is a party.

We condemn in the strongest terms possible state inspired violence and the show of force on February 22, 2016 in arresting opposition leaders, DC members of staffs and hundreds of our party supporters.

Opposition parties that peacefully voice criticism of the government play a vital role in inclusive, pluralistic societies.

We are engaging all forms of justice from, local, regional and international courts to ensure that the elements of the Uganda police, military and government involved in the abuse of the fundamental rights and freedoms are brought to justice.

DEMANDS

1. We demand Government of Uganda to protect the universal rights of freedom of expression and assembly.

2. We demand the immediate release without and delay or conditions of all persons arrested without due process.

3. We demand the immediate cessation of state violence against the people of Uganda.

4. We demand that the government elements desist from any intimidation, fear mongering and arbitrary actions against the people of Uganda.

5. We are collecting and analyzing all evidence of these violations which we shall present it the appropriate fora at the appropriate time.

We shall not relent in our fight for a free and fair election in Uganda. We will seek justice in all forms at all levels collectively and as individuals against institutions, individuals and the state for violation of fundament rights and freedoms of the people of Uganda.

Chairperson Uganda diaspora P10
MS JACKIE OLOYA.

ULS Press Statement on the Post Election Environment (23.02.2016)

ULS 23.02.2016 P1ULS 23.02.2016 P2ULS 23.02.2016 P3

Statement by Canadian High Commissioner in Kenya David Angell on the Ugandan Elections (22.02.2016)

NTV 20.02.2016

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.

Mbabazi M7 Besigye

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.

BBC Africa: Museveni: “explains the clamp down on opposition” (Youtube-Clip)

“Uganda’s newly re-elected President Yoweri Museveni who was declared winner of last week’s presidential election and has been in power for 30 years. He talks about the opposition and why he is against presidential term limits. He spoke to BBC Africa’s Zuhura Yunus in his country home in Rwakitura, Western Uganda” (BBC Africa, 2016).