IGAD-Plus meeting in Addis intervenes in South Sudan with 500 Regional Peacekeepers; what will it really mean to the nation?

IGAD Plus

Here we go again… and again. With more helmets, but what do these helmets really do? Fixing the bows and arrows or making sure the PoC sites are safe?

What where about to happen today:

“The Assembly of Heads of State and Government IGAD and the African Union Ad-hoc Committee on South Sudan, referred to as the IGAD Plus will this afternoon hold a Summit meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to deliberate on the prevailing situation in South Sudan. The meeting will be chaired by H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and current Chairperson of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government with the attendance of Heads of State from the region and representatives from the UN, African Union, JMEC and IGAD” (IGAD Secretariat, 05.08.2016).

There been indicated from numerous sources that the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) who are holding a conference on the crisis in South Sudan have reported that the IGAD Plus heads of state has decided that the nation should accept 500 Peacekeepers in the Country.

IGAD Maagoub Maalim wanted it to be a ‘protective force’, that ‘we’re to prepare and implement of the Peace Agreement of 2015. That the forces we’re to ‘protection of civilians and on humanitarian issues’; the way the peacekeepers will be hashed out through the South Sudan Army Chiefs and the GoSS. The peacekeepers are not there to keep Dr. Riek Machar safe, but keep the Peace Agreement implemented.

The FVP Gen. Taban Deng Gai will stepdown when Dr. Riek Machar will return to Juba, as he said also in the days before he where swore in. But the initial reports of the IGAD Plus hasn’t said anything of the new cabinet under the TGoNU as the changes of getting rid of loyal Ministers from SPLM-IO have not been stated. As the loyalty to President Salva Kiir Mayardit is the ones behind before the GoSS delegation travelled to Addis Ababa.

What this will really mean for the fragile situation and the armies on the ground is not easy to say. As Dr. Riek Machar and his loyal soldiers is not part of the intervention and in the main discussion other than a bystander at the giant party in Ethiopia. The reality is that 500 peacekeepers can do something, but who pays for the battalions in South Sudan? Who of the noble leaders have state-coffers to sustain the extra mission? Who of the IGAD Plus have the manpower to fulfil the duty of having men stationed in Juba and beyond?

Are this a plan for President Kiir to get President Museveni to send his 500 UPDF soldiers to make sure the SPLA under him safe and sound while working under the paradigm of continuation of Kiir Government in Juba? That is just my conspiracy as the initial speculations to why President Museveni is so against Arms-Embargo as his fellow neighbour. We all know that Museveni might has interests to have a weapon trading partner; not just selling fruit-juice and beers from Kampala.

We can all over time see what this will have to say for the young nation. If this is just lose talk to silence the neighbours or sincere approach to generate a sort of peace between the fighting brothers. Peace.

The Calvary in massive debt after the General Election of 2016

UPF 11.02.2016 Block FDC P1

Oh Gee, who knew right? Who would have thought that the Uganda Police Force would generate such amount of money trouble that the issue came for the Parliament on the 3rd of August 2016. Months upon Months after the General Election; the costly re-election of the politicized partisan police gets into fiscal issues. After using live bullet, throwing most of Forum for Democratic Change hardliners and candidates into detentions, house-arrest of Presidential Candidates, using the flying squad for house-calls and even monitoring all kind of political activity. Even with the extra budget for military and Police Force for the Post-Election violence; still the tab for the Police Force under Inspector General Edward Kale Kayihura has overspent the cash-flow of the “ministry”.

Who knew right? With the House-arrest the overflowing of helicopters, mambas, tear-gas and newly brought equipment in the docks of Mombasa days before the polls; the man-hours and the expensive new cars for the District Police Commanders, the tab had to be expensive. The paychecks and the little payment for the providing Crime Preventers who knocked down and supposed to silence opposition also cost a buck or two.

New Equipment for UG Police 23.02.2016

The reasoning for the capital are all there, the reminders of the payments for the service rendered. The validity of using fortunes on keeping Besigye and FDC under siege has had its cost. The report in Parliament today we’re staggering Shs. 91 billion in debt for the Police Force. Because of this IGP Kayihura chickened out of showing up and address the deficiency as the meager violent leader he is.

Not to talk about the man hours and cost for keeping opposition youth behind bars, the escalated kangaroo courts up and the massive overload of petitions for freeing the men and woman who got caught. As the spying police forces together with payments for crime preventers and their training facilities before and during election period. The Uganda Police Force must be so proud of their efforts.

The continuing shipment of political activists and the guarding of public schools and hospitals in the districts also cost money instead of catching thieves and the ones doing corrupt activity. This also put on the tab. So the reasons for the overburden of budget and monies are enormous. The ironic thing is that IGP Kayihura who doesn’t like to be put in questioned or monitored; should have some fiscal sense as the Intelligence gathering apparently doesn’t comply to the ways he spends the fortunes on keeping Besigye at bay in his Kasangati home or making sure that Lukwago doesn’t get to deliver his Election form on time. The jollies of being Police Commander in Uganda, I guess.

IGP Kale Kayihura 16.12.15 P2

The ones that should pay this is the ones that have a hard time understanding the cost of operations of this kind, the man that just orders, but doesn’t deliver. The long living and eternal ruler Museveni who the PC Kayihura follows like a blind dog; time to sell a bunch of goats and cows to Salva Kiir of South Sudan, as Riek Machar just stole a bunch from him; I shouldn’t have said it, they might do it at the end of the day. More likely they find a new way of taking the foreign exchange from Bank of Uganda or even steal more from state coffers as they always do. If they didn’t then it wouldn’t be the NRM-Regime and Museveni way.

Those who we’re surprised and shocked forgot the aggravated actions of the Police Force during the elections as they even had pre-ticked ballots in Police vehicles and at Police Stations. The Police is full-fledged part of the NRM-O at this point of history, their violent right hand to fist the public with their batons and throw tear-gas at them. They are just vicious and brutal. Just like their master Museveni who likes guns and cows, but hate opposition. Peace.  

Besigye: Proposed government amendment to land act is a ploy to steal land (Youtube-Clip)

“Dr Kizza Besigye has revealed that a proposal by the ruling party to have express powers to develop any private land is a ploy to grab people’s possession. While addressing a news conference at his home in Kasangati, Wakiso district, Besigye said if passed as an amendment into law, this proposal will contravene the Constitution. During a Cabinet retreat at the National Leadership Institute Kyankwanzi last weekend, the NRM leaders mulled over an amendment to the Land Act, which gives government powers to acquire any land from private owners” (NTV Uganda, 2016)

UNICEF Response to South Sudan Refugee Situation (04.08.2016)

19-07-16southsudan

KAMPALA, Uganda, August 4, 2016 – Situation

  • 4,074 South Sudanese refugees arrived on August 2, 2016, nearly three times the number of new arrivals on July 31, which was 1,274.
  • 55,920 South Sudanese Refugees arrived since 7th July 2016.
  • According to UNHCR, the priorities are: Rapid opening of the newly identified settlement area in Yumbe district; decongesting the reception and transit centres; increasing coverage of health and nutrition staff; expansion of water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure and services and procurement of medical drugs and supplies for the period of Oct-Dec 2016.

UNICEF Humanitarian response

Health & Nutrition:

  • Immunisation: From 18th July- 02 August, UNICEF and its partners have immunized 15,563 children under the age of 15 years against measles and 16,840 children below 5 years of age have received Bivalent Oral Polio Vaccine at Elegu in Adjumani, Kerwe in Yumbe and Keri in Koboko.
  • 902 women aged 15-49 years have been immunized against tetanus.
  • 31,192 under-five children have been dewormed to boost their immunity while 6,256 under-five children have received Vitamin A supplements to enable them retain nutrient contents of food and facilitate normal growth.
  • General Health: From 18th July- 02 August, 164 refugees have been treated for malaria, 11 treated for watery diarrhoea and 30 treated for various injuries like minor accidents on the road.
  • Nutrition: Between 18th July – 02 August, 6,220 children under-five years of age were screened for malnutrition; the 6.5 per cent found with Global Acute Malnutrition and 2.5 per cent with Severe Acute Malnutrition have been referred for appropriate nutrition rehabilitation at health centres and outreach treatment centres.

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

  • UNICEF has constructed 10 temporary bathing shelters, 10 temporary latrines, installed a water treatment system, and installed a water tank and tap stands.
  • At Elegu 1 & 2, UNICEF has provided 10 hand washing facilities and 10 buckets to promote hand washing at critical times. The facilities are managed by Lutheran World Federation (LWF) at Elegu 1 and Water Mission Uganda at Elegu 2.

Education:

  • UNICEF and partners participated in an education assessment in the Pagirinya refugee settlement and in Yumbe District.  Renovation of existing school facilities, construction of extra classrooms, the establishment of integrated early childhood development centres, recruitment of caregivers, training of caregivers, recruitment of teachers and teaching assistants, and construction of teachers’ accommodation, are all being recommended.
  • Pagirinya 1A feeder primary school P.1-P.4 has registered close to 1,500 children; only 10 trained teachers and 9 classroom assistants are presently at the school to support the registered children
  • UNICEF is supporting to set up 30 early childhood development centres in Yumbe, Arua and Adjumani through Plan International.

Child Protection:

  • Save the Children and UNICEF continue to conduct the identification, registration, and on-spot re-unification of separated and unaccompanied children at Elegu, Nyumanzi Transit Centre and Pagirinya refugee settlement; 272 unaccompanied children and 441 separated children have been registered while 18 missing children have been traced and re-united with their families; psychosocial support is being provided to all unaccompanied children.

Opinion: Museveni and NRM think nowadays that the Ugandans are stupid!

Museveni Kyankwanzi 01.08.2016

In politics, stupidity is not a handicap.”

― Napoléon Bonaparte

I might be first to say, but the acts of the Government and the details of conspiracy from the Ugandan Government. They must think that their citizens are stupid or at least fools for accepting their acts of the Executive and his party. The NRM cronies in their minds are paying to save businesses connected with brother of the Executive. Imagine, this being Museveni’s brother Gen. Salim Selah and other contributors, who happen to donate to the expensive campaign and the NRM House that never see the light of day. While claiming this is for saving businesses connected with the now civil-war actions of South Sudan, there might be businesses from Uganda or Ugandan owned in the South Sudanese country, but the list of businesses that we’re released online. None of them had connected businesses in Juba or directly exporting to South Sudan. So Museveni, thinks the Ugandans are stupid or acts like they are.  

This together with the UBC land that got sold to Burahya County MP Margaret Muhanga for 10 billion shillings, she happens to sell enough cows and goats to get the money for the 23 acres land. As the government controlled broadcaster could accept the monies. The idea of gathering enough cattle and goats are flabbergasting, and she claimed people we’re laughing at her for that claim. That is not so strange even the Executive doesn’t have enough cattle to fetch 10 billion shillings for a giant property. The good news is that today reported from Parliament that she has do deliver the deed back to Uganda Broadcasting Company by Friday. Though wonder if the government would have pushed for the same if the land was sold to foreign investor in the name of Aga Khan or other ones buying hunting ground in Amuru?

The Executive, Museveni thinks Ugandans are stupid and fools, as he thinks they can swallow the shallow excuse to extend his power for life. “A statement from State House Entebbe said the president received the proposal seeking the amendment of Article 102(b) to remove the age limitation from a group from the ruling NRM led by Kyankwanzi woman MP Ann-Maria Nankabirwa. “President Yoweri Museveni has received a resolution from the Kyankwanzi National Resistance Movement (NRM) leaders calling for the amendment of the Constitution by Parliament to lift presidential age limit from the current 75 years to none,” the statement reads in part. In March this year, the proposal to do away with the age cap for those contesting for the presidency is said to have come under discussion during a retreat of newly elected members of the NRM at the Kyankwanzi Leadership Training Institute. However, party officials denied it” (Mpagi, 2016). He the Executive thinks Ugandans are stupid and didn’t see this coming from the man who already scrapped the term limits made in the newly created 1995 Constitution. Therefore that he wished to amend the constitution and laws again to fit his paradigm wouldn’t be altering with the perception and status quo under his leadership. Museveni has always made laws fitting his actions and his perspective of leading. As he has blamed everybody else and claimed there we’re other responsible than him or his political elite. That the Kyankwanzi are trying to put an amendment to the law to fit his now rule-for-life alternative; the Ugandan people must have seen this coming from the man that has ruled with iron and guns since 1986. Therefore the only ones not believing he wouldn’t retract or change the laws to his benefit hasn’t followed the class of Museveni.

So, what do you think? Do you think that Museveni thinks Ugandans are stupid and gullible to believe anything his PR Team and State House gives to the Media; as the placing of changing the laws happens to happen right after the election and when their been speculation about his real age. Do you think he will get away with it as he has the majority rule of Parliament and they will listen to his reasoning as he dolce out monies so they will vote in favour of his changes of laws as they did in the 9th Parliament and before that as well! Peace.   

Reference:

Mpagi, Charles Mwanguhya – ‘Museveni says to consult on removal of presidential age limit’ (02.08.2016) link: http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/Uganda-Museveni-moves-to-scrap-age-limit-/2558-3327504-v1qqo8z/index.html

IGP Kayihura internal briefing letter to Police Commander’s on Kifeesi Police Groups in July 2016!

Keefesi letter July 2016

Museveni’s deluded mind on Civil Servants and Police Brutality!

Museveni Kenya Speech 2016

One of these days President Museveni will say something profound and deep, meaningful and deceitful, but until then he is in his ordinary bloated mood where address giant government and to many civil servants; while he defends Police officers with their brutality against the citizens both the President and the Police are supposed to secure. So the nobility and honour of state is not there. Just take a look!

“The President has subsequently tasked former Finance minister Dr Ezra Suruma to lead a study on the bloated public service and associated wage bill and recommend appropriate actions for the government to take. One of the solutions Mr Museveni proposed, according to a source that attended the Cabinet retreat that ended in Kyankwanzi last night, is to reduce the number of civil servants. Discussions at the closed-door meeting were grainy, another source said, after permanent secretaries demanded for a pay rise saying the Shs3 million salary they get is inadequate yet they hold and account for budgets running into trillions of shillings” (Mugerwa, 2016).

Uganda districts

The ironic behind this scheme to cut civil servants is the bloated Parliament with the run-of-the-mill amount of Members of Parliament and the giant Cabinet of the 2016-2021. So the amount of extra paid Government Officials at the highest institution has never been bigger than now. As well as the steady arrivals under President Museveni, that being the extended levels of newly formed districts and sub-counties all over Uganda. In 1980 the abolishment of Provinces and created into districts as there 33 districts in Uganda, by late 2010 the NRM Regime have created 111 districts. All of these created districts are getting civil servants and clerical work as due diligence and securing the districts priority and service delivery in the district.

“In July, this year, particulars of about 5,000 civil servants were deleted from the payroll in a questionable clean up exercise. There are currently some 300,000 employed, with an additional 10,830 pending validation, according to the Public Service ministry records” (Mugerwa, 2016). And there is not weird it is 300,000 civil servants in Uganda, as the bloated government institutions, commissions and institutes; together with schools and making sure the next corrupt scheme from UNRA get hidden, means that the Ugandan Government need more people to run the districts, unless they are just shells of government to create spaces to secure loyalty to NRM cronies and not be a governing facility for the territory or dominion of the locals. But that wasn’t the initial plan for all of the expansions as this was part of grand plan for local democracy and wider-building the Resistance Councils after the bush-war. But if he really plans to trim the Civil Servants, why does he right before election in 2015 adds 25 more districts, one that even his loyal saint Gen. Kahinda Otafiire doesn’t even wanted see the light of day?

UPF Brutality

So now that I have addressed his deluded mind when it comes to Civil Servants, time to take a swipe at his defense of Police Brutality:

“Where the Police are caught in some issues is mainly to do with people like Dr. Besigye. There are other opposition leaders; I have not heard them getting involved in these conflicts with the police. There are there: Cecilia Ogwal (FDC strong woman and MP for Dokolo district), people like DP’s Mao (Norbert, who is the DP party president), the UPCs and others.  The whole thing is Besigye and with his indiscipline and lawlessness” (…) “Where they demonstrating peacefully or they were violent against the Police?  If they were demonstrating peacefully and you attack them then you are not doing your role. But if they were violent against the Police—throwing stones, then the Police will have to react. And one way of non-lethal reacting is what they call baton-charge. This is provided for in the Police Act” (Lamu, 2016).

M7 01.08.2016

What is deluded now? It is that the Besigye by-passers are apparently violent and therefore deserve to be directly punished from the Police Officers with sticks. The issues are that most of them are an ordinary civilian who shows up when the car of FDC’s leader Dr. Kizza Besigye passes by. So by-passers and people’ on the sidewalk are determined to be punished.

What is justice of being a random by-passer to a car with a political opposition and therefore as waving to the noble politician you are quickly harassed and beaten with batons. That President Museveni blames Besigye right away without any checks of the footage or video of it that proves the malicious attempts of injustice done by the officers. Then claiming to be using violence against the police officers… That is just preposterous as this is civilians without any malicious intent. Therefore the grand scheme of things is just like Ntungamo-Clashes where the NRM and Police were not guilty, but the men of Amama Mbabazi and his Go-Forward. Therefore all violence is always other people’s fault. Just like all post-election violence in Kasese and Rwenzori sub-region was deemed to be stronghearted individuals even if the Flying-Squad and Police Officers shot at Rwenzururu Kingdoms Royal Guards in the villages or at the Royal Palace. So the defense of the Police comes out of the mouth from their master, President Museveni! Who defends the Police Officers and blames to citizens who cheers the opposition. This proves the malice intent of the President and silence the public for their appreciation of the Opposition. Think about that for a minute, right? Peace.

Reference:

Mugerwa, Yasiin –‘Government to sack civil servants to cut cost’ (01.08.2016) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Government-sack-civil-servants/688334-3324844-ill9y1z/index.html

Lumu, David – ‘Museveni speaks out on Police brutality’ (01.08.2016) link: http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1431388/museveni-speaks-police-brutality

Uganda: Press Release on video footage that emerged of a police pick-up, appearing to have knocked a man to the roadside (30.07.2016)

UPF 30.07.2016

#Scambailouts; Moses Musinguzi Vs. Bailed Out Companies on Good Governance (29.07.2016)

Petition 28.07.2016 P1Petition 28.07.2016 P2Petition 28.07.2016 P3Petition 28.07.2016 P4

UHRC: Quotes for a thought; a must read on Human Rights breaches in Uganda!

uganda-masaka-prison

“I had a case of my brother who was arrested by police and was asked to pay UGX 100,000. But after the community meeting by UHRC, I learnt that police bond is free.” A participant in a community meeting in Luweero District (UHRC, P: 64, 2016).

As there been a hectic year for Uganda, with the preparation for the General Election of 2016, the report from Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), should have lots of instances where the breaches of violations towards political opponents and dissidents from the NRM-Regime. As the system is to uphold the status-quo and respect Mzee. I will today look through the Report and find the most staggering numbers and tales. To show what kind of actions the government does against their own citizens, in the name of the Executive and his reign to keep rule all for himself!

Alone alleged violations in Uganda that we’re registered in 2015 we’re “Torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment” total of 345, “Deprivation of personal liberty/detention beyond 48 hours” total of 247, “ and kind of violation in 2015 we’re 909 to all the offices of UHRC. As seen the registered complaints to the UHRC; the respondents are the once claimed to be responsible for the violations. Here is the one usually behind it:

“The top five respondents over the past six years (2010-2015) have remained the UPF, private individuals, UPDF, local governments and the UPS. In the six years, the UPF had a total of 2,646 (the highest number of complaints registered against a respondent), while private individuals had 1,271. The UPDF had 622; UPS, 205; and local governments, 200” (UHRC, P: 15, 2016). This here proves the level of violations from the Army and Police; the once that are surprised by that haven’t followed how the Modus Operandi of the security organizations in Uganda.

Kakira Prision

One testimony to the UHRC:

“I was told by the investigations team they would follow up my complaint of being detained for eight days at Kakira Police Station. Indeed the Uganda Human Rights [Commission] team did so. I was never at any one point in time asked for facilitation to conduct the investigation until it ended. I now await the outcome of the investigation. By the way, it is upon the Commission’s intervention that I was released immediately. Investigations were conducted objectively and thoroughly to the extent that the perpetrators asked for my forgiveness.” (UHRC, P: 15, 2016).

Second testimony to the UHRC:

“I was arrested by the police from Adjumani Central Police Station on allegations of theft. During detention, my money [amounting to] UGX 200,000 was taken and kept by the police. After conviction and serving my sentence in prison, I went to claim my money, but police told me it was an exhibit in court. When I reported the matter to UHRC, it was registered and investigated and all my money was paid back.” (UHRC, P: 16, 2016).

Complaints completed in 2015:

“In 2015, UHRC closed 382 complaints after investigations. Of these, 287 were backlog files and 95 were fresh complaints registered during the year. 382 complaints were closed for various reasons, including successful mediations, insufficient evidence, receipt of remedy by the complainant, requests from the complainants, referral to other institutions, cautioning of respondent and not revealing any human rights violation. Other reasons included merging of files, failure to trace respondents and death of complainant” (UHRC, P: 17, 2016).

Human Rights 17.11.15

Outstanding compensation from Attorney General to the Tribunal:

“Therefore, the UGX 758,552,86813 that MoJCA paid as compensation to victims of human rights violations in 2015 did not cover any beneficiary of the complaints decided by the Commission during the period 2013 to 2015 (refer to Annex A). As of 31st December 2015, the outstanding awards against the Attorney General was UGX 5,047,671,968 (Uganda shillings five billion, forty seven million, six hundred seventy one thousand, nine hundred sixty eight)” (UHCR, P:31, 2016). Here is the reason for the delayed compensation of the awarded through the tribunal: “Delayed payment of Tribunal awards. Respondents, especially the Attorney General, take long to pay tribunal awards. Although the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs has argued that this is mainly due to limited budgetary allocations, UHRC has realised that the delay is sometimes caused by the bureaucratic processes that require the respective state attorney to form the first opinion on whether to appeal or clear payment of the award. This has caused untold delays, especially in cases where the state attorney may not be willing to recommend payment of the award, particularly where the Attorney General was not represented during the hearings” (UNHCR, P: 32, 2016).

Prisoners awaiting Ministerial Orders:

“K.S Awaiting ministerial order for 24 years. It was reported that he does not get visitors” (…) “B.E Awaiting ministerial order for the last 15 years” (UNHCR, P: 37, 2016).

Third Testimony:

The human rights training we attended were very helpful. I learnt that when I torture a suspect it is entirely on me and me personally…”said an officer from Kasangati Police” (UNHCR, P: 37, 2016)

A little on how the detainees and Prison conditions are:

Many places don’t have transport for suspects of crime, they are taken random by public transport in places like Kole, Erute, Lira, Anyeke, Otuke, Pece and Kinene. With this result on place as well: “At Kamwenge and Bigere police posts, suspects were transported to court and back on bodaboda at a cost of UGX 60,000” (UNHCR, P: 44, 2016). Also inaccurate salaries and compensation of Police officers: “At Buganikere police post, an officer had not received salary since December 2013 and at Hima police station, five staff members had missed their salary of September 2015. At Rwangara police post, staff could not easily access salary because the bank was far away and they would have to incur transport costs” (UNHCR, P: 44, 2016). Even lacking basic structures is a problem at Police Post, Police Stations and Prison cells: “Detention facilities that did not have adequate water for sanitation and personal hygiene included Kiboga, Kasangati and Rubanda prisons, as well as Buseruka Police Post and Nakaloke and Bunkhongo police stations” (UNHCR, P: 51, 2016). When it comes to sleeping facility for detainees: “UHRC found that 234 out of the 896 detention facilities inspected did not have adequate beddings; so, detainees used either tattered blankets, mats or pieces of papers. This was observed in 41 prisons, 192 police detention facilities and one military detention place inspected. These facilities included: Mutufu and Ngora prisons; Ngai, Iceme, Aber, Kwera and Kangai police posts; as well as Dokolo, Otuke (adult cells), Agawata, Adwari and Olilim police stations” (UNHCR, P: 52, 2016).

AGEWATCH-summary-of-summary

The Senior Citizens Grants for Empowerment roll-out plan:

UHRC noted with concern that although 1.2 million people in Uganda were aged 65 years and qualify for the SAGE programme, only 123,260 were benefiting. However, in August 2015, the government announced the roll-out plan of the SAGE programme to 40 more districts across the country over the next five years, beginning with 20 in the FY 2015/16 and subsequently adding five districts every year for the next four years until FY 2019/20” (UNHCR, P: 103, 2016).

Digital Privacy:

“There were allegations of infection by malicious software of communication devices belonging to various individuals, including journalists, believed to be instigated by state agents.156 It is alleged that once infected with this software, a person’s computer or phone could instantly be remotely monitored; passwords, files, microphones and cameras could be viewed and manipulated without the owner’s knowledge” (UNHRC, P: 141, 2016).

On the General Election:

“UHRC noted reports of the overzealousness and selective application of EC guidelines by the UPF, leading to their alleged interference in and denial of some campaign rallies, prevention of opposition accident victims from accessing a health centre for treatment, prevention of people from attending opposition rallies, violently dispersing opposition rallies and injuring supporters; and the arrest of opposition officials and confiscation of opposition materials such as manifestos. It is worth noting that the UPF took action on some of its errant officers and instituted investigations into the incidents” (…) “There were concerns about the alleged discriminatory nature in the way political players enjoyed rights and freedoms of assembly, movement and personal liberty, which did not, in many cases, favour opposition leaders during the electoral period” (…) “Although UHRC noted positive developments, such as strengthened internal mechanisms in political parties, the successful nomination of presidential, parliamentary and various candidates at the local government, and introduction of new technology, such as SMS and the online system, there were challenges that still hindered the realisation of the right to vote. UHRC also noted that some of the challenges identified during the previous elections, such as the timely review of electoral laws, had not been addressed in the run-up to the 2016 elections. In addition, UHRC notes that there is need to address evolving challenges, such as lack of internal democratic party processes, the emergence of crime preventers and militia during the electoral period, and the varied interpretation of laws, in order to ensure that the right to vote is realized” (UNHRC, P: 169- 172, 2016).

UPF 2008 Torture

Proposed amendment of the 48 hour rule:

“There have been proposals to amend Article 23 (4), which prescribes for the production of a detained person to court within 48 hours from the time of his or her arrest, on grounds that the prescribed 48 hours is insufficient to bring a person to court” (… ) ” UHRC, therefore, recommends that:

  • Article 23 (4) should be retained and priority placed on enhancing the investigative capacity of the Uganda Police Force” (UHRC, P: 203-204).

Uganda Police Force should urgently address the issue of detention of suspects without files. If there are no files or charges against them, they should be released:

UHRC made this recommendation to the UPF in 2013. In 2015, the UPF informed UHRC that police commanders and officers in the Criminal Intelligence and Investigative Directorate (CIID) were tasked to ensure that whenever suspects are arrested, files should be compiled, proper and timely investigations carried out, and the necessary procedure followed to take the suspects to court immediately. With the establishment of the Directorate of Human Rights and Legal Services at police headquarters and the deployment of regional human rights officers in 16 regions, this problem was partially addressed” (UNHRC, P: 223, 2016).

Aftermath: 

Here you saw the definition of Human Rights issues, there we’re even more labor questions and education on Human Rights. The certainty is the levels of force from the Uganda Police Force (UPF) and Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) that are extending themselves into the citizens sphere and not being there to create security; instead breaching the levels of trust from the security organization and the citizens.

If you feel I left something behind, please put it in the commentary. This is for me the most important details; I couldn’t pick it all; as there we’re many breaches and many questionable actions towards the citizens that could be posted today. Because this is close to 2000 words, but the report are 296 pages. So the amount of details in the report could fill many pages more and a bigger article. This here is just a hunch of the breaches that the government and their institutions are doing, also the missing pieces to the laws and the institutions that’s securing the rights of the citizens. Peace.

Reference:

Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) – ‘The 18th Annual Report of the Uganda Human Rights Commission To the Parliament of the Republic of Uganda’ (July, 2016)