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

Up and About – Besigye Speaks out on Next Plan (Youtube-Clip)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI5mRc3iz5M

“FDC Announces Peaceful Demonstration” (NBS TV Uganda, 2016)

FDC 05.05.2016 Planned March

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)

Good News: Christoper Aine Come’s Back from the “dead”; but the question remains – What did really happen?

Aine NTV

I have written about this before, since there was no clarity of what happened after the Election Violence between NRM Supporters and Go-Forward Supporters in the Ntungamo clashes. That was on the 13th December there with NRM People and Regional Commander involved in the sponsoring of the violence,;therefore the Don Museveni said the famous words of never playing with the Leopards Anus. The Go Forward camp got detained and the NRM supporters got facilitated with monies for their hurt; because the only Ugandans that matters is the ones that follows the vision of the Don.

The Good News:

“Christopher Aine, Amama Mbabazi’s security aide has resurfaced alive and well, four months after he reportedly went missing. Aine has handed himself over to government, according to Gen. Salim Saleh. A soft spoken Aine says he spent the last four months hiding in Tanzania. At the height of Aine’s disappearance, his family accused police of being in possession of their relative. Social media was later awash with a photo purported to be Aine’s body. During the entire time of his ‘disappearance’, police maintained it was not in possession of the aide who was reportedly picked up by police in December” (NBS TV Uganda, 07.04.2016).

Go Forward 17.12.15 Free Aine

Before all of this, the Inspectorate General of the Police Kayihura took out Cash Reward for telling where he was on the new-years. That was necessary skeptical about since it seemed so strange from the Police Force and the amount of detaining the opposition. Especially since this kind of thing happens the detaining family members for questioning the authorities for his whereabouts. That former Police Intelligence worker and now Political Analyst Charles Rwomusushana for posting a picture on social media get detained and questioned at Special Investigation Unit at Kireka. That Norman Tumuhimbise of the Jobless Brotherhood who went looking in the missing person in Nakaseke District without look; and second person to offer reward for finding the man. So with all of these actions while nobody coming up front with great details. And the Police through CP Fred Enaga claiming this and that do not secure the family. While later the Police Slamming the Family of Aine to create drama about his status. That while the son still not-knowing the whereabouts.

So the picture of a seemingly dead man makes a person suspicious when it comes to a Police Force who shots journalist and detain opposition without trials or court verdicts, henceforth the initial thoughts went to he was dead. The assumption should not be weird knowing the violence from the Police Force and the Army in the Pre-Election Period.

IGP Kale Kayihura Quote

On 11th January 2016 I wrote this one the case:

“The starting spin-control in the end of December 2015; show’s a man like me that they know more then what they are telling the public. So we can question what is happening, I don’t have the answers, it just don’t add up. The Police know more then what they release, the Go-Forward team comments are direct, and the family of Aine has been upfront from the get-go since it their son and family member. They are the only ones in this who has been totally truthful and saying how they feel. Something they are entitled to and they should be the first ones to gain information on the matter” (Minbane, 11.01.2016).

We had the right to question what happen and what we’re the truth, as the Authorities and the Go-Forward Group tried to either deflect or attack each other, while the family and Civil Society Organization, together with Political activist went in to try to find answers.

Ntungamo 13.12.15 Yellow

Even with him surfacing today, there is many unanswered questions where was he really? Who has supported him while being gone? Why did the Police detain his family member, Rwomusushana and Tumuhimbise? Because there must be reasons for the issues the Government had with them trying to find out his whereabouts and question the Police in their search for him. The supposed death and the intelligence if the government had it; could have issued something else then the Spin-Control that was done during the month of January in 2016.

It’s good news that has surfaced in the home of Gen. Salim Selah, brother of Mzee, the former General of Intelligence. That the military man sheds light on the giant question that has been in public during the Pre-Election Period and the worry of the Go Forward Security Officer. There were many reasons for this, as the violence from the government could be put in question and the militarized politics that the President Museveni stands for.

When the truth get shed light on and when we can see who coined the most for his disappearance and the agreements for hiding him. Then we will truly know the truth behind it, because parts of the disappearance are still in the dark and the play it did on the Hon. Amama Mbabazi campaign. Also what did President Museveni have done when it comes to the disappearance as well, because the NRM regime could have done a lot and shed light on matter; but that didn’t happen at all!

So the story will continue to unfold and many questions remain, where was Christopher Aine during the Pre-Election Period, and why did he surface today? Peace.

(In Pictures) Besigye had A Mid-Night Stroll in Kasangati tonight and also his statement on the continued House-Arrest; My second take on IGP Kayihura who lied to the Public on Besigye’s dire situation!

02.04. 2016 Besigye P1

Dr. Kizza Besigye Statement after midnight at Kasangati:

“IGP Kayihura once again deceived Ugandans today that I’d been freed. It was fools day anyway!!! I took the pictures here after midnight- on 2nd April 2016. It terrible to have a leader of a police force that breaks the law routinely and willfully; that seems to enjoy telling lies; and that has no regard for the opinion of others!”

02.04. 2016 Besigye P2

And here his last released picture to the Public from Kasangati:

Kasangati 02.04.2016 Police

FDC Statement on it earlier in the day on the 1st  of April 2016:

“What was an open secret that Mr. kale Kayihura had instructed his policemen to move away from Dr. Kizza Besigye’s home has now turned into a fat lie, the Uganda Police Force has actually multiplied in number”.

My take on it: 

IGP Kale Kayihura of the Ugandan Police Force might have had the ability to fool some people. But the pictures and the manifestation of the Police Officer talking in the phone while monitoring Dr. Kizza Besigey should be send a clear message, while they talked about the leaving the premises of Besigye’s gate and compound; they still have the metal-teeth and the Police Officers squatting in reach of the gate and still having the ability to check-in everybody who enters and leaves his home. So Practically the House Arrest never stopped and the illegal detention and unlawful detaining of the FDC Presidential Candidate and the man who never had the ability to really content the result of the February 2016 Presidential Elections have been sufficed to his own gates and home without being the ordinary man who can walk to work or even go out to buy his food. This has been going for over 40 days, since straight before the Election Day on the 18th February. So you know that the Police Force is still besieging the Compound at Kasangati.

Truly and clearly the IGP Kayihura lied and tried to deceive so that his master and the Government could work in Peace and hopefully without issues from the outside world; as even the U.S. Mission talked about progressing toward democratic elections in recent statement. I am paraphrasing the U.S. Mission, but that is in general what the army ally wrote as the Post-Election Period is going away and “ordinary” State of Affairs resumes before the swearing-in and the 10th Parliament sessions starts. As paraphrasing is not good enough here is actually the main quote in my opinon from the United States Embassy that is worth noticing.

Kasangati 02.04.2016 Police P2

Here what the U.S. Mission in Kampala says in their Statement to the Public:

“The U.S. Embassy notes today’s Supreme Court ruling affirming the results of Uganda’s February 18 presidential vote that saw President Yoweri Museveni re-elected to his fifth term. We encourage all Ugandans to respect the Court’s decision, and express their views in a peaceful manner” (U.S. Embassy of Kampala, 31.03.2016).

Certainly one thing is clear. The House Arrest of Dr. Kizza Besigye never happen and the orders from above would not let that happen, as he is the epitome of everything President Museveni is not, a legitimate leader compared to Executive; who have to House Arrest his main opponents. Peace.

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.

IGP Kayihura lied; Still Police guarding the gate at Besigye’s home in Kasangati!

Kasangati 01.04.2016 Police

As earlier in the day the IGP Kayihura talked bravely again of leaving the home of Dr. Kizza Besigye, the reality of on the ground and around his compound is the same. It is more or less the same as in the recent 40 days of house-arrest!  The Police is in the Anti-Riot Vehicle guarding his home and keeping him under strict surveillance and has not left the gates of his home. This is strictly countering the words earlier in the day.

So IGP Kayihura the man who says he never was under house-arrest and now said he ordered DPC Kawalya to drop the Police from the premises and the compound of the FDC Presidential candidate and the Amama Mbabazi Petition to Supreme Court for annulment of the Election have been dismissed, why are they still there?

Kasangati 01.04.2016 Police P2

Or has somebody after hearing your lying words countered you and not allowed for another deployment of the honorable Police that are still standing outside the gates of his home!

For those who forget quickly this is what was being told to the press for IGP Kayihura: ““he has instructed Kasangati Police Station DPC to withdraw deployment outside Dr Kizza Besigye’s home as they maintain close monitoring of his movements to ensure people’s safety”.

Wafula Oguttu statement today:

The police has just deployed more officers around Dr Besigye’s home. More than before with more motorcycles and closer to the main gate. We are yet to know what is going on especially given the fact that the IPG told the world today that they had given back Dr Besigye’s freedom. I am here”

Does not look like that to me. They are still sitting there and wondering if he ever going to leave the compound so they detain him again, that is the routine for the men at the gates of Kasangati.

Well, same old same old. More lies from the proud, IGP Kayihura and the pictures say it all. Peace.

An Important Update!

Look now at evening time they are still there and not planing to leave!

Kasangati Night 01.04.2016

The Grand display of Celebration for NRM in Kampala after the dismissal of Election Petition and in general validating of the election in favor of Mzee

NBS Celebration 31.03.2016

“NRM supporters in Mukono celebrated President Museveni’s victory in the Amama Mbabazi petition which was dismissed today by the Supreme Court “(NBS TV Uganda, 2016).

Today there was the Supreme Court ruling that dissmisal of the Election Petition number one, and therefore there was all of a sudden a giant celebration, so big that we can forget the Nomination Day in Kampala; when Dr. Kizza Besigye was sitting on the chair between Central Kampala to the Stadium where he had the first rally of the pre-election period and Presidential Campaign. Here is two pictures show’s the” massive” grand celebration for the NRM and the President Museveni re-election in Kampala!

Kampala NRM Celebration 31.03.2016 P1

How the NRM got the crowd today:

The National Resistance Movement – NRM hired boda boda riders and skate boys to hold stage-managed celebrations in Kampala, amid heavy police deployment. The public ignored them, which is a huge political statement indicating the unpopularity of President Museveni’s electoral and court victory among Ugandans”.

Kampala NRM Celebration 31.03.2016 P2

Somewhere sits Dr. Kizza Besigye, wait, he sits in house-arrest in Kasangati and laughs at the meager display from the NRM-Regime. He should have a laugh at this, because this proves his rhetoric and arguments earlier today. Peace.

EU Statement by the Spokesperson on the Elections in Uganda (31.03.2016)

EU Out of Politics Pre-Election Period

“Today, Uganda’s Supreme Court dismissed the petition to annul the result of the 18 February 2016 presidential elections thereby validating the result.  In its ruling the Supreme Court also identifies a number of areas in need of structural and legal reform.

In this context, the EU recalls the preliminary statement made by the EU Electoral Observation Mission (EOM), and the concerns expressed by both domestic and international observers about serious shortcomings in the election process, including the violation of fundamental freedoms and the obstruction of the opposition’s work in the post-electoral period.

The final EU EOM report, due on 18 April, will make recommendations, including on how the election framework can be improved.

The EU stands ready to continue its dialogue with Uganda to foster democracy.  The Government of Uganda, Parliament, political parties as well as the Electoral Commission, and all stakeholders need to build on the experience of this election  and to work together constructively and peacefully in the direction also indicated by the Supreme Court.”

Besigye Reacts To Supreme Court Ruling (Youtube-Clip)

“Besigye reacted to the dismissal of Mbabazi’s petition saying he has been under house arrest since election day and was not able to file his petition” (NTV Uganda, 2016)