The Calvary went violent around a IDP Camp; when the People’s President we’re about to address them

Besigye IDP 06.01.16 P1

Yet another day of campaign rallies for the People’s President, who we’re campaigning in Bukewo district. He had already today had campaigning in villages before setting up for a rally near the Teriet Internally Displaced Camp in Kapkaros sub-county.

Besigye IDP 06.01.16 P2

This was not something that the Police of the area accepted. Gerald Twishime the  RPC Sipi and the police went totally gung-ho on the FDC campaign convoy. First they threw their natural instinct in and with that tear-gas into the crowd to disperse the people. Also shooting live bullets into the crowd; two people we’re seriously hurt and shot in their legs. The FDC men we’re manhandled. People who we’re hurt by the police we’re Nandala Mafabi, Sadik Amin and Ingrid Turinawe got one her leg broken by the police.

Besigye IDP 06.01.16 P3

Reason for this:  “The Police said Dr. Besigye has no right to address a gathering near an IDP”. Which law and why all of sudden is that not allowed?

Besigye IDP 06.01.16 P4

Hours earlier FDC had a successful campaign in Bukowo Town. So it’s sad that the whole day couldn’t be filled with that kind of actions and peaceful interaction between the public and one of their Presidential Candidate. But the Police in the area wouldn’t be remembered that way, sincerely yours IGP Gen. Kale Kayihura be proud of your men, your right?

Bukowo Town Besigye 06.01.2016 Campaign

Why couldn’t the rally around the IDP camp look like this, which we’re earlier this morning? Because the Police can’t help themselves, instead we got something as ordinary as election violence from the Uganda Police Force.

FDC continue with your defiance this election violence is nonsense from the forces of the government. Not righteous or justice, just foolish and damaging. Peace.  

Press Release: CCEDU – Preventing Electoral Violence A Civic Responsibility for All (06.01.2015)

EditedElections-300x145
The Citizens’ Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda (CCEDU) applauds the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda for adding his voice on the campaign for a peaceful, free and fair 2016 general election through his Press Statement dated 5th January 2016 (titled, “Maintaining peace, unity and security during and after elections”).
CCEDU has noted with concern that electoral violence remains a serious threat to the February 18th 2016 elections as evidenced by some of the incidents that have so far happened during the on-going political campaigns (recent clashes between candidates’ supporters in Ntungamo and Gulu). These cases of election-related violence continue to create a sense of terror and uncertainly among voters. And should such incidents of violence increase, questions on whether Uganda is capable of holding free, fair, peaceful and representative elections will inevitably emerge.
There is also worry that millions of nervous Ugandan voters could stay away from voting due to fear of violent attacks, threats or politically motivated intimidation.
CCEDU therefore calls upon parties and candidates to desist from acts that could orchestrate unnecessary anxiety and violence during the campaigning and voting period. Election stakeholders including the Uganda Police Force must demonstrate professionalism and impartiality in maintaining electoral security during this period. The Electoral Commission must dispense its mandate in a balanced and professional manner, calling each of the candidates and stakeholders to fully account for their actions/inactions.
CCEDU urges all political parties and candidates to desist from mobilising youth groups and militias to fuel fears or actualities of electoral violence. In the same breath, CCEDU calls upon government to seriously rethink its decision to utilise informal outfits including: ‘crime preventers’, ‘polling detectives’ for the purpose of providing election related security as this could further raise anxiety and possibly invite conflict, violence and chaos in the country. Ugandans have the right to vote in peace and all stakeholders are duty bound to take all necessary measures as provided in our laws to defend and protect that right.
Electoral violence and partisanship of institutions that should otherwise be guarantors of a free electoral environment are an obvious disincentive to participation in elections for both voters and those who wish to offer leadership. Ultimately, this undermines every effort at building a truly democratic country based on the supremacy of the people choosing their leaders. It also weakens state and non-state institutions that scrutinize elections, and hurt the legitimacy of the government of the day.
It is therefore, important that as the Prime Minister rightly points to opposition players in the election, government should equally urge its institutions to ensure utmost impartiality by working strictly within the ambits of the law. Local, regional and international institutions should therefore intensify working towards (timely) prevention of electoral violence ahead of the February 2016 general election in Uganda.

Four Ugandan Presidents answer questions about their aspirations (one of them is M7)

“Idi Amin, Yusuf Lule, Milton Obote and Yoweri Museveni answer questions about their aspirations to be President of Uganda” (History of Uganda Video January 3, 2016)

Interesting with the similarities, right?

Peace

Museveni dismisses criticism that he has stayed too long in power (Youtube-Clip)

“President Yoweri Museveni has scoffed at critics who say after 30 years in power, he should not be seeking yet another five years at the helm of Uganda. The NRM presidential candidate who was campaigning in Ndorwa country, Kabale district, said it doesn’t matter how long he’s president but what he does for the country. He boasted of transforming Uganda and that he still has a lot to accomplish” (NTV Uganda, 2016)

U.S. Gov. condems Rwandan President Kagame; Proves the double-standard; It’s okay for the U.S. ally President Museveni and wrong for President Kagame

 

East-Africa

We live in interesting times. The U.S. Government has condemned the Rwandan Government for giving the opportunity to have a third term for their President Kagame. President Museveni did the same in 2004 and the U.S. Government at that time couldn’t care or give two cents since him where their loyal ally. We didn’t hear anything last year when President Nkurunziza added to his two terms and only we’re late to the party when the news of the election-violence and assassinations came to broad light than the tune changed.

US Magazine Zaire LR

The same nation and government that supported the now deceased Mobutu Sese Seko in Democratic Republic of Congo then called Zaire. He we’re in charge of the country from about 1965 to 1997; when Laurent-Desire Kabila together with President Kagame’s and President Museveni’s armies; brought down the American sponsored and supported dictator. Who they needed through the cold-war to have a presence in the area, and not give that away to Soviet. We’ll they didn’t give him an army worth anything; when his neighbor countries invaded and took him down. That is just a sidebar.

Since the U.S. have supported dictators when they have needed them. The irony now for attacking Paul Kagame for doing his thing to get a third term seems a bit farfetched. We can see that U.S. trying to do something worth a damn in the area, since they have recently visited Kenya and Ethiopia. Well, recently U.S. reacted to Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza violence against opposition after an election for a third term and also going against the 2000 Arusha Peace Agreement, that we’re accepted by the courts as the first term; we’re accepted as adnominal since he was voted to power by parliament and not directly by the people! Even so, the public demonstrated and still is in turmoil and violence ever since March 2015 and we are in January 2016. The only thing U.S. did we’re to cut them from AGOA and that is zappy and looking meaningless in the big picture. They did not even have the ammunition to say it was wrong from the get-go for President Nkurunziza, surely because he is from a zip-code even the U.S. can’t care about.

Paul Kagame. P3jpg

 

U.S. Reaction on the 19th December 2015:

“The United States is disappointed that a referendum was called on short notice to amend the Rwandan constitution and introduce exceptions to term limits. While we commend the people of Rwanda for peacefully exercising their civic rights, we regret that the arrangements for the referendum failed to provide sufficient time and opportunity for political debate on the merits of the proposed provisions” (…)”The United States continues to be concerned by long-standing restrictions on peaceful assembly, association, and free expression in Rwanda. We urge the Government of Rwanda to enable the full and unfettered exercise of these fundamental freedoms as the country moves toward local elections in 2016, presidential elections in 2017, and parliamentary elections in 2018″.

This must have touched some nerves… So here is what he said back to them after the new-years.

So, the track record of recent is not beautiful. That President Kagame answers on twitter back we’re he was answering the U.S. Reaction on the 4th January 2016:

“So,…’diappointing?’ as a people and a leader/choices?? Uhm …it hurts!!! I promise we don’t intend to disappoint…esp ourselves!!”.

The issue is really, why the international bandwagon is reacting to him and not to all the other ones who keeps steady and sitting in power until death. Like the brother in Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Zimbabwe and Sudan. Ugandan leader got some comments on the Barrack Obama visit in Africa in 2015, but they didn’t more or say since they need President Museveni sometimes it seems.

KabilaCartoon

The world is not reacting to the change of laws to make it happen in Democratic Republic of Congo where the son of Laurent-Desire Kabila, Joseph Kabila who does what he can to have a third-term as a president in the DRC. He seems he can move in silence and as he please not even the foreign affairs brother from Belgium reacting as he have done so much when it comes to Burundian President Nkurunziza. President Kablia seems like somebody who is not worth stressing about even when the news came out last year and the public reacted with #Telema demonstrations.

While the nuisances’ towards Rwanda and President Kagame seems like a doubled game, because you haven’t given a rats ass before and now you cry foul. I wonder if they will say anything if President Salva Kiir Mayardit stays in power after his second term of 6 years that will stretch to 2017. Since he have been in power of the nation since 2005 and when he continues from 2017 it will already be 12 years and with one more term will get 18 years; and that is a long time!

Salva Kiir Poster

President Kagame has been in power for a long time and people should be allowed to question his actions. Rwandan government and country is sovereign. As the same use of sovereign state Burundi have used against having an AU Peacekeepers in the country because that will take their freedom and justice as a nation because they can handle the turmoil internally. President Nkurunziza says so and the international community doesn’t speak up against that.

U.S. Government might have forgotten that Franklin Delano Roosevelt had three terms he was in power from 1932 to 1945. He would have if he didn’t die of health problems actually could have served a fourth term. Unprecedented in American history, still it proves they can do it to!

And when they need somebody they can support them even when they are undemocratic, but the U.S. doesn’t need President Kagame. They do not fear the turmoil of Burundi even though the Inter-Burundian dialogue that happens in Uganda, issued and led by the President Museveni. Who have no plan to step-down even though he have run the country since 1986. He follows suit of former fellows. President Museveni would if he could; Help out the son of Jomo Kenyatta and get a bigger suit in East Africa. President Musveni might even give him lessons on how to keep power in Kenya to President Uhuru Kenyatta; who is currently working on his campaign and party structure of the new Jubilee Party in the country. Preparing for a second term and campaign to secure that! Nothing is meantioned about the issues of the growing tension, the embezzlement and the corruption in Kenya; That is not an issue for the U.S. Since they need Kenya to fight Al-Shabab as well! Therefore they let all the other issue to the side.

President Museveni is allowed to do as he need and can. The U.S. would never say anything crazy unless he bans the gay community and put fire unto the “Anti-Gay-Bill” again! President Kagame can be taken and punished since he doesn’t have a role to play that U.S. need. President Kabila in DRC trades rare-earth minerals and other commodities cheaply so if he wants to stay; hell; he can stay! President Nkurunziza is only an issue when starts to harass and assassinate people in his own country, if he we’re silent about it, the U.S. government would not care. But President Kagame is the issue. Hope there anybody else who see something wrong with that picture?

Peace.    

Old letter questioning Amama Mbabazi – PQ/3: “Restocking Programme for West Nile” – Letter sent from M7 to JPAM (11.12.2012)

Letter from YKM to Amama 2012

Dr. Ruhakana Ruganda Statement on Crime Preventers place during the campaign trail and election period (05.01.2016)

Dr ruhakana ruganda

Friends, this is a statement I have just issued at a Press Conference at the Uganda Media Centre today:

Ladies and gentlemen of the media,

We invited you today, to inform the country through you, about the critical importance of peace, unity, security and stability during this election campaign period and beyond.

As we have said in the past, peace, security, unity and stability of our country are common goods, which we must all guard jealously irrespective of our differences. They are cardinal values that do not know any differences. They are critical for our country’s progress and development.

The presidential campaigns have largely remained peaceful thus far, as the candidates have traversed the country and many citizens have come out to listen to the various messages. This is to be applauded, celebrated and encouraged.

Sadly, though, it has come to our attention that some political actors including some candidates are diverting from this good trend. There is an emerging trend of fanning sectarianism through the use the media and other platforms. This is not only dangerous; it is also criminal.

We appeal to all candidates and their supporters to focus more on the things that unite and build their communities and Uganda rather than dividing them.

If those involved in trying to divide Ugandans along the above mentioned sectarian lines don’t desist, government will invoke the necessary legal machinery to investigate and prosecute them in the courts of law.

For instance, we are following up reports that a small group of the radical opposition are talking and planning violent actions during and after the election with the overall objective to disrupt social and economic activities as well as to paralyze governance.

As part of this dangerous plan, there is also persistent talk of “defiance” mainly at campaign rallies by some candidates. Such candidates have been stating publicly state that they will not respect any of the laws or guidelines as issued from time to time by either the Independent Electoral Commission or other responsible Government agencies. This, again, is unacceptable and illegal. Whatever we do must be guided by, and conform to the laws of Uganda.

Crime-preventers-on-the-parade-in-Kasese-district-2

Government has established that some of these groups, under the guise of training agents to protect their votes, are raising semi-militia groups under different code names like Power 10 (P10), Pentagon, Youth Brigade and Ki-face, among others. These groups, we have learnt, are being prepared to incite violence and violent confrontations, starting on polling day until the swearing ceremony in case they lose the elections.

Election campaigns are not a licence to break the law.

The NRM government will not standby when some elements are trying to cause violence, havoc and disrupt the peace and development in Uganda.

We would like to let the public, including those being lured into these mischievous schemes, to know that government is closely following them. I, therefore, appeal our people, particularly the youth, not to be tempted into joining such groups seeking to break the law. Those who dare to join will face the full force of the law.

Finally, I would like to re-assure Ugandans and the international community that the NRM Government has in place sufficient measures to ensure that the forth-coming elections are held under tranquil and peaceful atmosphere.

This will ensure that the outcome is credible and reflects the true will of our voters and, should, therefore, be respected by all.

Today the People’s President visits Nakaseke district and met a hostile Police Force

Nakaseke Police 04.01.2015 P1 FDC

While the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Campaign convoy went to Nakaseke district for continuation of the campaign rallies towards the General Election in 18th February 2016. Dr. Kizza Besigye have been scheduled for travelling the district and campaigning. That is expected by now, since he has tirelessly since November like any Presidential Candidate has done.

Nakaseke Police 04.01.2015 P2 FDC

What that happen today we’re not really news. The Police we’re following the campaign trail of FDC convoy in the district. The thing that is bothering and sad is to see the operational factor of having police ferrying the so called crime-preventers from village to village, and town to town to get people to shun the campaign rallies of the FDC. They did what they could to intimidate the public from showing up at the rallies there.

Also a deflector from Go-Forward Hon. Amama Mbabazi had the support earlier last year from Nakaseke Democratic Party MP Candidate William Kasibante. He stood on stage and publicly now deflected to support Dr. Kizza Besigye.

Nakaseke Police 04.01.2015 P3 FDC

While the Police we’re driving with Crime Preventers to stop the public from going. This shows the orders from up-high since the districts police is interfering in yet another opposition rally. The DPC Justus Asiimwe can’t be happy with his men’s work since it was not working well. Since the people and public did show up to the rallies even with the mobilization of Police and Crime Preventers did not stop the crowds or local citizens to show up. That means the security forces did not secure the public, instead making the issues being interfering directly into politics and party affiliation as the matter of not doing the same when NRM and Mzee came to the district. This shows loyalty towards him and partiality in a way that should not be happening at this time of Electoral Commission and their Election Road Map of 2016.

So there you have it! That should be enough.  Peace.

Nakaseke Police 04.01.2015 P4 FDC

Kizza Besigye Message after the rallies:

“Mwebale Nyo Nakaseke/Thank you very much Nakaseke: Today 8 rallies in total were accomplished as we wrapped the day at Ssemuto. #Wesigye Besigye”.

Leaders of Opposition stay “United and support each other!”; Mzee works for a destabilized opposition; don’t help him!

Mbabazi M7 Besigye

There we’re loose talks between Dr. Kizza Besigye and Hon. Amama Mbabazi in Masindi recently. Just like the Kofi Annan talks in London in November we’re not fruitful. That would been seem like a pipe-dream with the way Amama Mbabazi won the race inside the The Democratic Alliance earlier in 2015. When Dr. Kizza Besigye pulled out of the coalition and went solo with his party as their sole-presidential candidate.

Therefore there shouldn’t be a stepping down at this point and this close to the General Election in February 18th of 2016. That stepping down for both candidates would be risk. The FDC have an operational system of campaigning after doing so for a decade or nearly two. Hon. Amama Mbabazi have been on the bandwagon of NRM until recently so his formation and campaign team might have experience and some loyalty towards him, but it all based on the trust and support of him and his manifesto. Together with the men supported from the supportive parties in the Democratic Alliance (TDA).

So that some people wish for a united opposition would be big cut, still this election will not be like previous for the simple matter, the more the Mzee lingers the less of supports he gets. It’s proven by how much crime-preventers have to be driven around to campaigns, how much food that are bought to serve the public and boda-boda drivers paid extra for getting the public to the rallies.

Besigye Amama

That is seemingly not enough of the state of affairs. Mzee is not capable of letting there be a level playing field for all the presidential candidates. He uses police and military outfits together with the Electoral Commission to subdue and stop the other candidates to do their campaign trail in an ordinary fashion. They have Special Forces Command after them, Anti-Riot Police follows then, the DPC does look and keep track of the candidates, and the Police Force does shut down venues and public buildings and block roads. Mzee have a second campaign team combined with his fellow foes in the NRM-O party.

That is why the Opposition has to work together. Because the force against them isn’t just political, it’s the government and NRM-Regime uses the knowledge of these to its advantage. But that is something the Opposition knows well. Therefore they have to use other means to get the people behind them.

TDA with the FDC would be stronger and more united. Without FDC they are weaker because of the consistency of the parties and their structure. So with that in mind the UPC-NRM proves the weakness of TDA. FDC on its own have a structure and base. FDC have wise leaders under the presidential candidate that can reason and make changes to society. Go-Forward and TDA does so, but not so many on its own. TDA have certain left from DP, JEEMA, Go-Forward and the PPP. There are the places for the smaller parties except for the TIC and Farmers Party. Rests of the presidential candidates are solo and totally independent.

TDA Adress

The small talk and craziness of blowing fire in-between Hon. Amama Mbabazi and Dr. Kizza Besigye, the Go-Forward and Forum for Democratic Change is unnecessary in the rest of the campaign-trail towards 18th February 2016. This will not generate anything good! That Abed Bwanika would throw shade on Dr. Kizza Besigye as he claims to be the first speaking up against Mzee. Let him do that, but for the moment Mr. Bwanika doesn’t have the support or structure to go against either top three presidential candidates, he might have more supporters then Joseph Mabirizi and Maureen Faith Kayala Walube, seen pictures even from Kampala with meager crowds. These candidates might have a good wish and dream to be leaders of the country, but to be honest the public also know they don’t have suction to succeed yet.

The Mbabazi and Besigye story is the third time with talks and the outcome was expected for the simple matter, none of them will back down. Besigye have a real momentum and beacons of hope in the deep darkness between now and the future that he sheds lights on. Amama Mbabazi has become the unlikely enemy of Mzee. Therefore Mbabazi and Go-Forward feels the pressure of the police and the other NRM infested entities of the land.

While Dr. Kizza Besigye has the momentum he have had since start of Nomination Day in November. Every step of the way have been a ceremony of victories, even when the police have stepped out of line and crashed the party. The Electoral Commission can ban and police can block the ways, but still the power of people seems to be behind the People’s President. Hon. Amama Mbabazi knows this and knows the structure of the FDC, even when he was siting as the PM, he knew about the structures and situations in place, since he had the accommodation and put together with NRM in place Public Order Management Act in 2010. To help the NRM stop Dr. Kizza Besigye by any means take him down. This have led to Government of Uganda turns more because of this like a Police State, state protected from it own people with the Police. That is what the POMA laws have done and stops opposition parties to meet the people and follow ordinary structure and meetings without thumbs up from the police. So with this knowledge Amama Mbabazi knows that he has worked to help crushing opposition, which is where he is stuck himself and just a hot minute before the General Election.

Dr. Kizza Besigye has secured himself in a party built with structures, loyalty and values. Even with the deflections and such, there is still certainty that they have party level expertise and support to fetch and support their FDC members. The Go-Forward is a young organization who was birthed and came to fruition just in minutes before the nominations and picking candidates to deliver them to the Electoral Commission. The certainty is that every party and people leaving to create a party happens at any moment. But this here is a party built around Amama Mbabazi. The values and such is based on how he is and is quickly mended up, there are deflections from FDC to Go-Forward. That is expected!

Go-Forward would earn a lot on having FDC on board. NRM would lose on it. NRM is doing whatever to breach the momentum of FDC. Go-Forward have suction, but I don’t see the same level of the FDC. Though anything else then FDC would be bonus and the best. While I stand by the People’s President; Dr. Kizza Besigye is the leaders of the opposition and is why the NRM and former NRM PM Amama Mbabazi made the POMA. Therefore the defiance campaign got to continue but in great spirit to the Go-Forward, as we all wish Mzee to lose, even if know the rigging is extensive and police is interfering in the election more the Electoral Commission observers. The expected result is victory for NRM and Mzee, even if the momentum and honorary public seems to support Dr. Kizza Besigye, because the president has the army and police on speed-dial. That is why Besigye shouldn’t throw shades on the other opposition candidates. Hon. Amama Mbabazi should not talk trash about Besigye or other candidates than the NRM Flag-Bearer. The TIC, PDP, Farmers Party and independent can throw more shade, but their caucus and words means less since their structures and support is smaller at this point. It is the general feeling of the top-three that will set the standard of the campaigns.

We don’t need to go dirty when you have a ruling party who does that in extensive ways. They do everything in the book plus bonuses every day. Therefore the Go-Forward and Forum for Democratic Change needs to be cool and calm. Progress and continue the struggle. Because the candidates should work towards a better future already now; not continue with the struggles by framing each other. FDC’s Dr. Kizza Besigye has this and can have it. If this was a fair fight and a fair election he would win. Since we know about the rigging and the other malpractices there will be announced most likely somebody else, we know Mzee. But the issue is how we go about it and be gentlemen about it; something that the times as this are missing. Peace.  

The Calvary follows the People’s President in Nakasongola district; Besigye tests the water quality and other reports from the district!

Nakasongala FDC Convoy 3.1.2015 P1

Today the Uganda Police Force in Nakasongola district has followed the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) convoy for the presidential candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye. He we’re not allowed to watch the situations of the schools or other public buildings. They we’re shut down by Police. The Highway Police force we’re following the FDC Convoy. DPC Charles Nsamba have been busy ordering his troops around and following the FDC men and their campaign trail, as they are seemingly committed to attend and follow the public rallies they have.

Nakasongala FDC Convoy 3.1.2015 P2

He was visiting water-wells to check the water quality and the police didn’t stop him. Where he we’re proving the point that water the people of Nakasongala is drinking, are the same as the ones that animals drinking. And it doesn’t look to clean or sanitized. This was a stop near Migyera town in the district.

Nakasongala FDC Convoy 3.1.2015 P3

In Migerya town the NRM People couldn’t help themselves, they tried to get the boda-boda drivers to shun the rallies and public event of the FDC convoy. They we’re getting paid if they didn’t ride around and gotten people to the event. Also a free yellow t-shirt by the NRM organizer; when the money didn’t come from the NRM organizer! They pleaded with FDC leaders to get paid… while tucking away the yellow t-shirts. Because they needed money for fuel, but the plea didn’t leave to anything and they left the plot in Migerya town. So they we’re trying to be doubled paid that day and still do ordinary work.

Nakasongala FDC Convoy 3.1.2015 P4 Water Well

He also visited the Kitalaganya landing site where it’s visible that the state of the water is not good and far from clean.

Kitalaganya 3.1.2015 KB P1

Kitalaganya 3.1.2015 KB P2

Reports from this district earlier last year in 7th October 2015:

“Nakasongola district is struggling to attract and retain teachers as the staff turnover persists leaving the education sector in turmoil. Records from Nakasongola District Education Department show that there are only 133 out of the 285 required secondary school teachers in the district” (Radio Buddu 98,8 and 95,5).

Nakasongola 2015 Oil - Waste 3.2.2016

And a report that is to interesting not address while we’re in Nakasongola district:

That this trucks that drives from Hoima through Nakasongola where a helicopter comes and picks it up! This a business done by President to sell oil-blocks shaded in transports saying – “hazardous waste” and amidst broad day light. A truck like this have 20 blocks of oil or more. The company who earns on the business is Great Lakes Company (From a great source).

We can see that this is an interesting district. All the projects that I have looked through in the Nakasongola have been subsidized from foreign donors. So if the Government of Uganda have done anything in the area, they have been funded by donor money and not by own tax-base. That is something to think about, especially with the water-crisis and steady issues with drought in Nakasongola. Time for the Nakasongola District to get enough teachers’ so there people can learn from the past and make a better future. Peace.