Opinion: Same old song against Besigye yet again #NBSFrontline

nbs-tv-29-12-2016-mwenda

“FDC cannot foster accountability in government when they are not accountable themselves”Andrew Mwenda (29.12.2016 on NBS TV – NBSFrontline).

Forum for Democratic Change Dr. Kizza Besigye is always on the NBSFrontline without showing up, just like his nemesis President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. It’s always make me giggle when people says that Besigye lost four elections and isn’t a credible opposition. Well, to the pundits, the monitoring of Besigye by the Police Force and the harassment of Opposition is why Hon. Norbert Mao from the Democratic Party is also always sitting in the studio speaking his wisdom to the masses. Like it is forgotten the way he was stopped from running as MP in his district during the General Election in 2016. Short term memory is a tricky thing.

Let’s be clear. The Opposition in Uganda isn’t without faults or without deficiency. The Movement have clearly by all means meant for no other ruler than Museveni. Somebody who thinks otherwise is naïve or on the movements payroll. There are clear indications and fantastic results of every single election that massively gives an edge and popularity that even could give way for dead-people to vote for the moment when needed be. Because how is possible to have so many 100% votes and also 100% of all eligible voters in the polling stations. They all like magic shows up, even as the neither death nor sickness stopped anyone in the constituencies to show up and vote for their beloved President.

So that rare coincidence that a certain man, who lost his own credibility and has to clear his own house. Mwenda has been battling the FDC like he has done on Social Media for over 48 hours attacking Besigye with all cylinders, instead of seeing the inevitable. The continued attempts to alter the conversation and blatantly attack FDC for their role in the opposition is a meagre attempt to smear them, instead of asking why the Movement has made it like this!

It’s true that LoP Winnie Kiiza is a fish out of water running wild in dialogue with the President in Kasese, as the man behind the plot is walking scotch free threatening all reports and people asking questions as the decomposed bodies are in the soil. The families without loved ones and the Security Organization, their brigades walk like free-men controlling the district. As the king are behind bar as a common terrorist. So the FDC is the problem and not the Movement who has a militarized attitude of the Central Government itself.

So when Mwenda and other’s says that the FDC isn’t real opposition and really accountable because of the many attempts of Besigye at becoming the President. It’s just wondered how he can try to alter history in this way. That Mao is all smiles and giggles are also weird when his party are weaken and also instead of being a national party has turned more regional over the years.

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“Besigye’s tone is of violence, I think that’s why he has failed to get votes from old people” – Ofwono Opondo

Well, Honourable Opondo, tones doesn’t kill people, the guns of the army and Special Force Command can shoot people into silence and into submission. Just like the monies has done to the Electoral Commission who fixed the results together with the default rigging of leaving ballots behind in districts and all other issues during the Election Road Map of 2016. This is known knowledge still he uses sly tactics to sound smart and useful. Because the Hon. Opondo doesn’t know what defiance means or couldn’t care – he is resisting the knowledge as he only see brown envelopes and bowing his knee to his master Museveni.

The most insulting words of the day we’re demeaning Mwenda saying: “why replace a Museveni you know with a Museveni you don’t know”. Moment of Nostalgia, reminding myself of not being to rash, but this is an insult to Museveni and Besigye. Museveni is the kingpin! He has ruled with iron fist and brutally stomped on anyone with ambition. Sole candidate and unquestioned leader of the Movement; in the deluded mind an elected and team-building candidate in Besigye is the same as the other. That is disrespectful and a disgrace to them both.

Museveni is a militarized political juggernaut who doesn’t gives to crap about anyone’s existence except if his movement can capitalise or use it. Besigye has had dialogue and let the party he was part of creating having two clear fractions. There are no talks and no clear leadership under Museveni has and do controls the NRM Party, without question; whatever Hon. Opondo is just puppet hire to make Museveni look nice. But Mwenda are supposed to be Independent, but is more and more sounding like apologist for the Movement. Which isn’t a great look on the fellow commentator more like stressed phone-calling son of bitch who can’t stall the conversation.

So the insults of FDC should be done with tact, but that isn’t the way of the Movement, neither of any of the apologists if it is the AIGP Andrew Kaweesi, Army Spokesman Lt. Paddy Akunda and Uganda Media Centre leader Ofwono Opondo are all spreading the message of submission to the mighty and tries to do with all force, because their master will send the soldiers to the streets and social media blackouts; Museveni uses them if needed to silence the population in the media. Trying to spin the news and waves as needed be.

As now their tactic as their ways are not steady, their mediocre, even weaker than a twice used tea-bag of Mukwano tea. Bitter water with a little ounces of flavour, but you need to pounds of sugar to be able to drink it. The same is with the words of disarray from the Movement speakers. Don’t be fooled. Don’t buy the ticket to the gig.

Besigye is different, not because I say so, it’s because of the way he is and how he carry himself in the tribulations and the troubles, in the torture and in the massive amounts of arrest that is nearly all unaccounted for by the authorities, where most of them without reasons, without warrants and without charges that could stick in any court. Besigye has had turmoil before because of his stance against Museveni. Still, he continues and wanting to see good governance. It’s a just cause especially the wish for a peaceful transition without guns, coup d’état and without use of any sort of force.

That Besigye is a hot topic is understandable. When you have an unaccountable and walking ATM for President, the discussion about the accountability should be first and foremost be questioned to the one in charge and the one rigged to be there. As Besigye has never ruled or had the ability of the Executive. That has all been Museveni.

As Marie Matembe said so beautifully tonight: “There is no state in Uganda. State is equal to Museveni and Museveni is equal to the state” (NBS TV on NBSFrontline, 29.12.2016).

Peace.

FHRI Condemns arbitrary killings in Kasese (28.11.2016)

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Preliminary Election Observation Statement in Kakumiro, Kibaale, Kagadi, Rubanda and Omoro Districts (29.08.2016)

Kagadi 29.08.2016

The Citizens’ Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda (CCEDU) was launched on 19th August 2009. CCEDU is a broad coalition that brings together over 850 like-minded civil society organizations and over 25,000 individuals to advocate for electoral democracy in Uganda. The CCEDU secretariat is hosted by the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI). CCEDU’s vision is to realize a Uganda where the principles and practices of electoral democracy are upheld. Its mission is to advance integrity and citizen participation in Uganda’s electoral process. CCEDU carries out its work in all districts and regions of Uganda. Since its establishment, CCEDU has been a leading player in advocacy for electoral reforms, observation of general and by-elections and civic/voter education campaigns.
CCEDU has a special mandate to observe Elections in conformity with the relevant international instruments governing election observation and the Constitution and National Laws of the Republic of Uganda
This statement presents the preliminary observations on the opening and setup process of the CCEDU Election Observation Mission in the five districts. CCEDU share a more detailed report with once more information has been received from our observers.

SUMMARY

In August 2015, government approved the creation of new districts. Subsequently, the EC, on 30 June 2016, announced the programme for Parliamentary and Local Government Councils election in five of the newly created districts namely Kakumiro and Kagadi curved out of Kibaale district; Rubanda curved out of present day Kabale district and Omoro curved out of present day Gulu district. The offices for election are: District Woman Member of Parliament, Local Council V chairpersons and Youth representative.
In line with its mission to enhance integrity, transparency and active citizen participation in Uganda’s electoral processes, CCEDU commissioned an election observation mission in the five (5) districts, to observe the pre-election, Election Day and post-election periods.
CCEDU has deployed 100 polling station observers distributed proportionally in all the 49 sub counties that make up the five districts. These have been stationed across all the 49 sub counties to observe and report on the Election Day processes at the polling stations. (See Annex of CCEDU Observer Distribution in the 5 districts). These 100 observers are supported by 5 district supervisors, one in each district. Additionally CCEDU members and staff of CCEDU secretariat are on ground supplementing reports from the stationary observers.

PRELIMINARY ELECTION DAY FINDINGS

The conduct of the elections was guided by the 1995 Constitution of Uganda, the Parliamentary Elections Act 2005, the Local Government Act 1997 as amended and the Electoral Commission Act 1997.

This statement is based on observer reports and incidents filed by all the 100 observers deployed in the 5 districts as at 11:40 am focusing on the opening and setup process.

Kibaale District 29.08.2016

Findings on Set-up and Opening Process:

On the opening and set up process, CCEDU has observed the following:

• Polling officials had arrived only in 28 polling stations of the 100 polling stations by 6:30am. Although Omoro had a higher presence of polling officials, on the contrary, polling officials in Kakumiro, Kagadi, Kibaale and Rubanda districts were not present at polling stations by 6:30 which affected the opening of most polling stations.

• The Presidential and Parliamentary Elections Acts as amended provide for polling to begin at 7:00am and end at 4:00pm. By 7:00am, only 10 polling stations out of the 100 polling stations observed in the five districts had opened. Although most of the polling stations (72 of 100 polling stations) observed had opened by 8:00am. 27 polling stations opened after 8:30am.

• Although 91 of 100 polling stations observed had all strategic materials, 5 polling stations in Kagadi, Kakumiro and Rubanda were missing indelible ink and 1 polling station in Rubanda was missing the voter register.

• In line with Objective VI of the national objectives and directive principles of state policy, which provides for gender balance in all government institutions, out of the 4 polling officials in the 100 polling stations observed, at least 2 of polling officials were women.

• In most of the polling stations observed, polling officials followed procedure by observing the presence of at least 5 registered voters in 95 of the 100 polling stations observed. Additionally, polling officials in 95 of the 100 polling stations observed displayed ballot boxes to be empty before voting commenced observed and in 93 of 100 polling stations observed polling officials followed the set procedure of sealing ballot boxes before voting commenced.

• CCEDU observers have also noted the presence of party agents across all districts. NRM party agents were present in all the 5 districts (in 96 of the 100 polling stations observed), Independent candidates agents present in Kagadi, Kakumiro, Omoro and Rubanda (in 75 of the 100 polling stations observed) and FDC party agents present in Kagadi, Kibaale, Omoro and Rubanda (in 58 polling stations observed.) However UPC, DP and PP party agents presence is limited to Omoro district.
Critical Incidents:

The following critical incidents have been reported and confirmed by CCEDU observers between 7:00am and 11:40am:

• Biometric Voter verification systems malfunctioned in Kibaale District, Buyanja County, and Matale A Sub-county and at Nkooko B polling station, Bugangaizi East County, Kakumiro District.
Voter bribery has been reported in Bubare C polling station, Rubanda county East in Rubanda District.
• A fight between agents of an NRM candidate and an agent of an Independent candidate were reported and confirmed at Birembo A Sub-county, Bugangaizi West County in Kakumiro District.
• In Kyanyi Polling station, polling station code 01 in Nyamarinda Sub-county, Kibaale district, it was observed that 4 people known to be deceased had their names ticked in the voter’s register as though the deceased had voted.
Kakumiro community radio was reported to have been campaigning for an NRM candidate in Kakumiro town council, Kakumiro district.
• Agents of independent candidates were said to have manhandled an agent for the NRM candidate at Kakindo sub-county, Bugangaizi West county, Kakumiro district.

Omoro Election 2016
Conclusion

CCEDU remains committed to objectively observing and reporting on the elections as they unfold in the five districts. We shall provide a comprehensive statement on the polling and closing, counting and tabulation processes tomorrow August 30 at 10:00am.

We urge voters to remain peaceful and come out in large numbers to exercise their right to vote.

For God and my country.

Press Statement – Uganda: Police Should aqeduately protect officers of the Court (12.08.2016)

Chapter4 12.08.2016 P1Chapter4 12.08.2016 P2

Uganda Civil Society Organization File Amicus Curiae Motion to Join Presidential Election Petition No. 1 of 2016 (10.03.2016)

CSO Join Petition 10.03.2016

On March 10th 2016, civil society organisations filed an amicus curie motion to join the presidential election petition. The organisations have interest in the petition because it raises important questions of public interest; whether the general elections were conducted in a manner representative of the will of the people.

The admission as amicus curiae will serve the interest of justice and enhance participation of people of Uganda not otherwise represented. The civic duty to engage in matters of public interest is enshrined in the 1995 Constitution; civic organizations are especially charged with the responsibility to engage to protect constitutionalism, human rights and democracy.

The organizations that join this application are mandated by their missions to do civic engagement on matters of interest to citizens. As organizations working on human rights, their responsibility extends to matters of the rule of law and accountability to citizens of Uganda who are the voters in every election.

The applicants are members of the civil society coalition that was accredited as election observers in the 2016 general election under the framework of the Citizens Election Observers Network (CEON-U) and the Citizens’ Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda (CCEDU).

Civil society organisations observed electoral processes prior during and after the Presidential elections along side convening voter mobilization campaigns. The organisations therefore possess valuable, credible and verifiable information on the elections, which will enrich the Court’s consideration of the presidential election petition.

The organisations include: Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI), the Uganda Association of Women Lawyers (FIDA Uganda), Chapter Four Uganda, Human Rights Network Uganda (HURINET), Centre for Constitutional Governance (CCG), Kituo cha Katiba (KcK), Legal Aid Services Providers Network Uganda (LASPNET), and Transparency International (TI).

Contact for more information:

Dr. Livingstone Ssewanyana, FHRI: 0752791963

Hon. Irene Ovonji-Odida, FIDA Uganda: 0772701488

Mr. Crispy Kaheru, CCEDU: 079444401 or 0772332747

Ninth day of Presidential Rallies in Uganda + More NRM Primaries and Statements on Yesterday’s UPF actions in Kampala

Amama 17.11.15 Poster

There been yet another day with rallies and promises and quotes from the presidential candidates. I will not have quotes from everybody. This here will be a quick one. Since this is become normally. There will be more side-notes. There been coming new press-releases and statements worth mentioning some more information on the NRM Primaries that just continues. Also reactions to yesterday’s actions in Kampala; Take a look!

Quote of the Day:

“Lukwago, Ssewanyana are to be held accountable for attack on Delta TV Journalist, Police prefer charges” – CP Fred Enanga of the Ugandan Police Force.

NRM Terego East 17.11.15

NRM Rally today: 

NRM have rallies today in Arua, Maracha and Koboko.

NRM 17.11.15 Poster

FDC set to have rallies today in Luuka and Kaiiro.

Dr. Kizza Besigye 17.11.15

A proof of humility and endurance towards his fellow comrades:

“The Kamuli district Chairperson and FDC National Vice Chairperson Hon Salam Musumba lost a grandmother yesterday. As a sign of comradeship ,Dr Besigye today first went to pay his last respects to the late before embarking on his mobilization tour for Busoga” (Reported from Moses Byamugisha).

FDC 17.11.15 Luuka

Dr. Kizza Besigye saying in Luuka:

“We will reduce the size of government. To allow us locate money to benefit citizens. We will reduce the number of ministers from the current 80 to 21 ministers” (…)”Busoga has been poor because it has been loyal to Museveni dictatorship”,

FDC 17.11.15 Luuka P2

“Dr. Kizza Besigye talked about tackling poverty, investing in agriculture, improving our agriculture and invest in our infrastructures. He will be in Kaliro later in the day. #‎PeoplePower. Kigwa Leero” (Reported from Harold Kajja).

Go-Forward crowds getting ready in Fort Portal: 

Amama 17.11.15 People to the Venue Kabarole

Go-Forward is set to have rallies in Kabarole – Fort Portal today.

Amama 17.11.15 FP

Amama Mbabazi said this today:

“My response to that is always, all executive power is vested in the President, have I ever been President?” (…)”My only plea to you is to give me the mandate to lead you into a peaceful transition next year”.

Jackie Asiimwe-Mwesige said at Go-Forward rally:

“Bukenya and Akena…. Birds of the same feather? Their names even rhyme”.

TIC Candidates:

Elton Joseph Mabirizi 17.11.15

Maureen Faith Kyala and Joseph Mabirizi is supposed to hold campaign rally in Kampala today.

PDP rally: 

Bwanika 17.11.15

Abed Bwanika the People’s Development Party will hold campaigns in Abletong and Otuke today.

Professor Baryamureeba will be in Abletong and Kole.

Gen. Benon Buta Biraaro locations are unknown.

Kenneth Mwehonge coordinator the Uganda Coalition for Access to Essential Medicines (UCAEM) statement today:

“ARV Shortage, more people need the drugs, but the budget allocation seems to have stayed the same” (…)”At least 8 districts affected. The problem with procurement, but funding”.

Go-Forward Coordinator:

Dick Kizza in Sembabule had it house set on fire last night by some suspected arsonist.

— — —

Human Rights 17.11.15

Side-Note – NRM Primaries:

Chua East: State Ministers of Foreign Affairs Oryem Okello won over the other candidates are now the NRM Flag-Bearer.

Rubanda West Constituency the incumbent Minister Banyezaki lost his candidacy to Eng. Denis Sabiiti. Banyezaki has claimed after: “a total sham and marred by massive rigging. The tally was like this:

“Eng.Sabiiti got 13,798 votes.Hon Banyenzaki got 11,874 & Moses Kamuntu got 5,363 votes” (912CroozeFM).

In Kaiiro where the NRM Primaries we’re held 5 Supporters was taken into custody after inciting violence, they found pangas and spears.

Lwenga NRM voters boycott the NRM Woman MP internal election over this NRM Primaries.

In Masaka the new flag-bearer for NRM there is 72 year old Ms. Freda Kase Mubanda.

The 30 aspirants of Isigniro District who lost in the NRM Primaries have to decide to stand as independent candidates and support Amama Mbabazi in the General Election.

Side-Note 2 – Dr. Kizza Besigye Statement on KCCA ACT and UPF actions yesterday:

“Dr. KIZZA BESIGYE’S STATEMENT ON KCCA AMENDMENTS.

I was made aware immediately by my aides of the sad events that happened in Kampala yesterday, well that was quite obviously expected”.

“In the course of this electoral process, we are going to have similar incidents because!, first of all, we have in place an incompetent and partisan Electoral Commission. The Electoral Commission has already made blunders and caused confusion by dancing to the tunes of the dictatorship, its evident they are preoccupied with changing the rules of the game in the middle of the game”.

“The changing of the electoral laws in the middle of the election is illegal, hence the Electoral Commission has become a willing partner in commission of these illegalities. Therefore for the electoral commission to issue a statement stopping the nomination and election of the Lord Mayor on mere speculation that the laws are being amended is utterly disgraceful and questionable. The Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago was duly elected but the dictatorship and police have in most cases with violence obstructed him from serving the people who elected him”.

“Therefore in accordance to the philosophy of my campaign of wining by defiance, I not only condemn the actions of the Executive, the Electoral Commission and the Police who continue to commit crimes, but will shall rally the citizens to resist them”.

“The attack on journalists is deplorable and criminal act ,it must stop. The perpetrators must know that they will be answerable individually or collectively. In the demonstration of civil disobedience through the now empowered citizens the Junta was able to rescind their intention to block the nomination of Lord mayor Lukwago. I recognize that the refusal by the Lord Mayor and his supporters to surrender to the dictator is the first victory of our strategy of winning by defiance and not by compliance”.

“Therefore in winning by defiance and not compliance , I urge whole the forces of pro-democracy, pro- change and above all the people of Kampala to turn up and offer massive support to the Lord mayor Erias Lukwago as he goes in for his nomination tomorrow the 18th November”.

“We shall move on with the strategy , sensitize the whole country and we shall ultimately liberate ourselves. For God and my country.

Dr. Kizza Besigye”.

Side-Note 3 – UPF Statement today:

“Good afternoon,

A few pointers here in regards to the officials that we have and what they wear:

We have 5 different uniforms in active use : the olive green, white, blue camouflage, navy blue, and black.

Khaki uniform is used by general police officers

White uniform is used by traffic police officers

Blue camouflage is used by the field force unit

Navy blue is the marine unit

Black is worn by the Counter Terrorism Unit

If you need any of these services – do get in touch with us”.

Side-Note 4 – The Media Council of Kenya on shooting yesterday:  

Press statement on shooting of a journalist by Ugandan Police

Nairobi, November 17, 2015

The Media Council of Kenya strongly condemns the alleged shooting, by police, of a journalist in Uganda.

The journalist, Isaac Kugonza, working with a private station, Delta TV, was on Monday allegedly shot on the head and is fighting for his life in Mulago National Referral…

See more

The Media Council of Kenya strongly condemns the alleged shooting, by police, of a  journalist in Uganda. The journalist, Isaac Kugonza, working with a private station, Delta TV, was on Monday allegedly shot on the head and is fighting for his life in Mulago National Referral hospital. From press reports, Isaac is the third journalist to be shot while covering political events in less than two months. Others who were shot last month are Matovu Enock of NTV and Ivan Vincent Mukisa of Radio One. It’s astonishing and disgraceful for the government of Uganda and President Yoweri Museveni’s regime in particular. It is a sad period for the journalism fraternity in the region. We urge Ugandan authorities to investigate and bring to book those behind this cowardly act. For democracy to prevail, journalists should never be intimidated or harassed in their line of duty. Such acts undermine freedom of the media and democracy in the region.

Haron Mwangi,PhD Chief Executive Officer and Secretary to the Council

Side-Note 5 on Cabinet Reshuffle:

PO/31

13th November, 2015

Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga

Speaker of Parliament

KAMPALA

RE:   APPOINTMENT OF THIRD PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTERS

I write to request you to, as required by Article 113 and 114 of the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, approve the following persons that I have appointed to the respective positions in Government:

  1. Mr. Kirunda Kivejinja –        Rt. Hon. 3rd Deputy Prime

Minister and Minister of East African Affairs;

  1. Madame Rose Akol –        Minister of Internal Affairs;
  1. Mr. Werikhe Kafabusa –        Minister of State for Industry

I forward their names to you for scrutiny and approval.

Yoweri K. Museveni

P R E S I D E N T

Copy to    Rt. Hon. Prime Minister

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