Burundi: Association pour la Defense des Droits des Victimes et Familles des Vicimes du Mouvement Insurrectionnel le 26 Avril 2015, AVMI26 – Open Letter “Subject: Your position towards the planned referendum of 17 May 2018 in Burundi” (13.05.2018)

A rebuttal to Mwenda’s Messiah Complex concerning Museveni!

Any religion whose messiah’s name isn’t recognized by Microsoft Word can’t be that much of  a threat.”Stephen Colbert

After reading Andrew Mwenda’s ‘Africa’s need for messiahs’ that is in the newest edition of the Independent Magazine. However, I feel Mwenda is insulting people’s intelligence with this piece. Because when he writes, that its wrong to have a “blame-the-leadership”, as Museveni also did in the past. He praises Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for his bush-war and that he didn’t sit in air-conditioned office and complained at the leadership. I am sure it would better to complain at the leadership with a drying robusta beans and a goat in a village up-country.

Whatever really, drink a stoney and take it easy. Well, let’s be serious, that this piece is just a reflection of how Mwenda has sold-out his own ambition and own belief. The only thing that was strange was that he didn’t mention Besigye. I was anticipating it, but it never happen. Just that the elite is bitching about Museveni, but not doing anything. Has he considered the price of doing something? Is he blind to the consequences of testing the powers in Uganda? Does Mwenda remember what happen to himself when he challenged the powers to be?

Yes. I think he does and partly that he get sponsored by the state, he is now envisioned to find anyways to defend the government and Museveni. Even if they are hiring Cuban Medical staff, instead of paying fair salaries to the Health Care workers. Because that is a healthy system, the whole state is in the image of Museveni. Even if his critics or his supporters say otherwise. When someone been ruling for 32 years, have made their mark and their signifying policies. Which has dwindled with time, as the fatigue, the greed and the need for the security organization to keep his up-keep. While also paying off cronies and the elites. The lazy elites of Mwenda, which he says he is apart of.

He says it is personal responsibility to bring down the leadership of Museveni, however, when Besigye and others was on the road with the Defiance and wanting to bring him down. They we’re extremists and dangers to the state, they were hooligans and people who haven’t given credit to Museveni’s state. Sorry, Mr. Mwenda, but you cannot have both ways. You cannot give people personal responsibility and in the months of 2015 and 2016, even parts of 2017 hashing out articles and posts attacking Besigye and FDC supporters for their will to topple Museveni peacefully. For months later in May 2018, blame the same elites and public. That is just insulting, do you think people are that stupid? Really?

Mwenda, I was a fan of you when you we’re on the Radio. You seemed like a decent character, but somewhere you lost your way. That is visible. As you are now counter-punching yourself.

You never wanted people to topple Museveni peacefully or demonstrate against him, that is not in your self-interest. Therefore its vindictive and vicious of you to write this now. When you have addressed this matters before and said something else. But you have shown your loyalty now with the sentence:

In many ways I find Museveni better than his critics”. Mwenda I might had find you better, if you we’re consistent. However, your not, you are self-serving and therefore, you can only serve your interests. Not serve the public with common sense. Someone who has only served his own interests to for decades is Museveni. So I start to understand why you are on his side of history. Even if it is flawed. Just like your article. Step your game up.

Uganda needs taxation with representation, it’s been enough time with taxation without representation. That is why the state isn’t delivering services, proper governance or transparency within the government. However, you don’t believe in this anymore. You just trust in Museveni because your pockets gets fat by him.

This isn’t about Besigye for me, this is about that someone else has the skills to lead the nation, not just one former-rebel and wealthy cattle-farmer. There are more people with quality to delegate and to find solutions. That is why Museveni needs to go, he isn’t hungry to deliver anything. He is just eating and the rest like Mwenda is looking for excuses to support him. Peace.

South Sudan: IGAD High Level Revitalization Forum – Summary of Consultation (12.05.2018)

Burundi: Is the Imbonerakure or an unknown militia behind the Buganda Commune massacre?

Just as we are in the final week before the Referendum vote, which is to make sure a secure, life Presidency for Pierre Nkrurunziza and for his party CNDD-FDD. On Friday there has been a massacre in the Cibitoke Province, Buganda Commune close to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where they youth-militia has had extensive training of late. If that is escalated this weekend. That is just speculation, but the Imbonerakure, has been involved in violent activity, community policing and harassment of the ones opposing the regime.

Reports from Cibitoke in April 2018:

The first group composed mostly of those from the commune commune went on patrol to the rivière river, while the other group composed mostly of the commune went to patrol the border with Rwanda. Questioned by our source if these paramilitary activities are endorsed by the provincial administration of cibitoke, these imbonerakure have informed that they do nothing without the administration knowing. You will also know that on Tuesday, around 14 pm, the imbonerakure of the localité locality, mostly composés, made their entrance to the forêt forest by the commune commune. At the present time, according to our source, the head of the paramilitary training in mugira is a demobilized man named Jean Marie Ndayishimiye. The latter says that they are being prepared to counter imminent rebel attacks from Rwanda. The latest information collected by our source says that since 10 April 2018 these paramilitary training has been very intensive on a land of LA, Colline Hill, zone area of the commune commune. The names of those who take the lead in these training are: Edmond Maniragaba, Schadrack Nganyirimana, Delachance Mbonihankuye and Daniel Ndirakubagabo. The trainer in these paramilitary training exercises is a soldier from la province under the command of his superiors” (Agakemanyi, 13.04.2018).

We know that the truth will be hard to expose as the reports coming from VOA and other agencies are arrested on their way to travel there or even losing their equipment, as the government trying to seal it off. As they are claiming terrorist did the deed. However, that is uncertain, as this area has been a massive training-ground for the Imbonerakure, where the local authorities accepted their actions.

Some claims are these are from a group of para-military from the Democratic Republic of Congo, however, with no possibility of verifying that. At this point it can be either that or the Imbonerakure. Because, both parties are likely to do this. What is suspicious is that the authorities are not disclosing what sort of group that would be or what their mission in Burundi are. They not like insurgents from DRC who goes into Uganda, which has roots in Kisoro for instance. Therefore, the reasons for the sudden deaths and massacre. Is even more questionable. As to who did it and what the state is covering up.

It is not long ago, on the 5th May 2018, the imbonerakure tortured 5 men in the province for their willingness to vote now in the 17th May polls. These was opposition supporters who was taken by the militia and taught a lesson by the state sponsored youth-militia of the province. Therefore, they have already shown that they could hurt civilians. Therefore, could they go further?

I don’t have the answer, but that wouldn’t be impossible. That what is worrying, if the state financed militia, which has recently promoted the former leader into the Cabinet. He went from leading the militia into becoming the Minister for Foreign Affairs, that being Ezéchiel Nibigira. Therefore, we know that the Imbonerakure, is now vital. If it wasn’t so, the President wouldn’t have appointed the former leader from there. Peace.

Burundi: CNARED-Giriteka – Communique de Presse (12.05.2018)

PM Rugunda tough talk on Corruption should fall flat: Maybe he should read a paper or two!

Let me also warn anybody who is involved or planning to engage in corruption, that the long arm of the law will catch up with them. I would like to stress that when President Yoweri Museveni described this term as Kisanja Hakuna Mchezo, he meant it and we are all following suit. Poor performance will not be tolerated” – Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda at the launch of NRM Manifesto Week, 11.05.2018).

I will go year by year, into Ministerial Policy Statements from the Office of the Prime Minister, to show the vast wasted expenses put into the system of this entity alone. Because he is addressing others, well aware, that his Ministry and Public Office is famous for its wastage, its ghosts and their methods of shady deals with business people. That is the reason for why Dr Rugunda is now the Prime Minister, as he had to take over from Amama Mbabazi, whose been on the top list of corrupt officials for years. So he is sort of wrong, saying the government will not tolerate corruption, that means he have to target himself and his own office.

From the Office of the Prime Minister in the Financial Year 2014/15, the use of funds on Newspapers was UGX 276,2m. On Photocopying it was estimated UGX 945,5m. Welfare and Entertainment got UGX 303m. On government business, the PM needed UGX 239,000,000 Shillings on snacks!

From the Office of the Prime Minister in the Financial Year 2015/16, the use of funds on Newspapers was UGX 212,3m. On Photocopying it was estimated UGX 873m. Welfare and Entertainment got UGX 205,7m. Special Meals and Drinks got UGX 288m.

From the Office of the Prime Minister in the Financial Year 2016/17, the use of funds on Newspapers UGX 236,3m. On Photocopying it was estimated UGX 1,768bn. Welfare and Entertainment got UGX 182,2m. Special Meals and Drinks got UGX 378,7m.

I didn’t even look that hard into the MPS, but if I had, I am sure I could have found more pressing and questionable spending by the Office. Since they are spending on all sorts of projects, which could in hindsight just be on paper and not in reality. Because this OPM is known for ghost-projects, ghost-refugees and so-on. Therefore, the OPM and PM should be careful warning anyone else, when his own office is questionable a best and isn’t having oversight of it.

Therefore, when PM Rugunda sends out warning, maybe he should use less funds on snacks, special foods and also on Newspapers. I doubt he and his fellas read it that much, they should be preoccupied with the projects in Northern Uganda, the Youth Livelihood Projects and whatnot that is under his office portefolio.

And by the way, the photos of the PM dropping cash-in had while campaigning for the General Election 2016, doesn’t make him the stature of confidence in the department of trust and transparency. As who knows where that came from and what account they accounted it in. Nevertheless, this the NRM way. Peace.

Burundi: Moussa Faki Mahamat letter to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on the Inter-Burundi Dialogue and the Arusha Agreement ahead of the Referendum (09.05.2018)

United Nations Officials condemn targeted and widespread sexual violence in South Sudan and call for the immediate cessation of the attacks against civilians (11.05.2018)

Sexual violence as a widespread and systematic tactic of war continues in South Sudan, reportedly to punish civilians who are perceived to be associated with a particular political or ethnic group.

The United Nations has received reports of attackers demanding money, alcohol and cattle through threats of violence and intimidation, including sexual violence. Testimonies indicate that women and girls of all ages have been subjected to rape, including pregnant women, lactating mothers, and girls as young as four years old. Information collected over the past week indicates that at least 66 women and girls have been raped since attacks began on 21 April, with the total number of cases likely to be much higher. In addition, dozens of women and girls are believed to have been abducted, with some having been released after enduring days in captivity.

In former Unity state, young armed soldiers, reportedly affiliated to the SPLA, allegedly attacked the island of Meer, where a number of civilians, including women, children and the elderly, were reportedly killed and injured, while others, including children, drowned as they tried to escape. Instances of abductions and sexual violence against women and girls, were also reported.

The three United Nations Officials call on all parties in South Sudan to immediately end the use of sexual violence, cease the commission of atrocities, and hold the perpetrators of these heinous acts accountable as a matter of priority. The three Officials urge the parties to the conflict to honor the commitments they have made to address conflict-related sexual violence and to protect the civilian population, and further call on the Government of South Sudan to abide by the Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access they signed in 2017. In 2014, the Government of South Sudan signed a Joint Communiqué to end sexual violence and recommitted to an Action Plan to end and prevent the recruitment and use of children and all other grave violations against children. In 2015, the SPLM-IO signed an Action Plan to end and prevent the recruitment and use, as well as the killing and maiming, of children and in 2014 issued a Unilateral Communiqué on conflict-related sexual-violence. “The United Nations stands ready to support national efforts to end, prevent and address conflict-related sexual violence in South Sudan and to improve the protection of civilians, including children”, the three Officials stated.

President Museveni letter to Kwagalana Group: “Re: Appreciation” (29.04.2018)

Opinion: Mzee cannot handle real coverage of himself!

Well, again the lectures has to start, as the man whose says he is about free press and democracy, he has to call in a meeting to lecture them how to cover him. Not to attend a meeting of sorts, where the standing of the nation, no no, that is another bargain for another day. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, will tell stories of bravery from 1986 and beyond. He will express discontent, where his own words are taken out of proportion, because his erratic mind and his stances is changing with the wind. It would have been better to just drop a report and show the reality, however, the President wants positive spin ala Softpower or Chimpreports and so on. He doesn’t want media who questions and finds faults. Because the President is never wrong, everyone else is!

“President Yoweri Museveni has summoned all media owners and managers in Uganda for a meeting at State House Entebbe. The meeting was confirmed by the presidency in a brief message to journalists. “HE the President is due to meet media owners and managers today at Entebbe State House,” reads a message from Museveni’s press handlers. Accordingly, the agenda of the meeting is not yet clear, but inside sources hint on the fact that Museveni wants to dissuade the media from fanning conflicts between him and religious leaders as well as request for better coverage regarding the rampant cases of kidnap in the country” (Moses Namayo – ‘Museveni summons media owners’ 11.05.2018, Nilepost.co.ug).

Museveni has had a hard time with the media, he has closed radios, bullied newspapers and editors. That is why some of the most prominent reporters and notable writers are still in exile, not in Uganda anymore. Because they cannot stay there in fright of the penalties their writings will have. Everyone is supposed to praise every word coming out of the President mouth. Even when he is one week saying the priest and clergy are good folks, next week bashing them for connecting with politics and thirdly wondering why the clergy is silent doing nothing during the celebration of the martyrs?

That is just how the days goes by, and he expect everyone to tune into his message and his deluded beliefs. As he is the master and chief, the mastermind and the inventor of liberation, even as he keeps the whole republic as hostages to his rule. That is the magician who thinks he tricks everyone, but only tricks himself. President Museveni isn’t that bright or that smart, even the street smart, non-educated and the villager can see through it. That is why his own party officials was rebuked recently in Rukungiri.

So, don’t expect the fountain of honour to be regarding the media. It is all about himself and his agenda. That he needs to massage the message. There aren’t anything new, just that they need guidance to follow his memo and not think for themselves. That is the patriotic stance of the republic, to be on guard and follow the leader. If you don’t then your rights can be revoked. Peace.