CCEDU: Press Statement on Police brutality on journalists (04.11.2019)

Human Rights Organization raided in Kampala!

Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum (HRAPF) who have offices at Kitakula Road, close to Gadaffi Mosque and are in the area of Mengo; so this in the Old Kampala area and metropolitan Kampala. This is where unknown people have attacked the Human Rights Non-Governmental Organization, and even robbed the office.

There are other indications that the attackers of the offices also killed a guard, ransacked the office and also cut of the alarm, while they took cameras and such (Adrian Jjuuko, 21.05.2016).

The Police Commander in charge of searching for clues and sealing of the offices now is the District Police Commander Old Kampala Afande Kirumira. The HRAFP have knowledge that the left security cameras have the footage of attackers and the robbers of the offices.

HRAFP Statement:

“BREAK IN AT Hrapf Uganda. There has been break in at our offices today in the night and our guard killed in cold blood in the process. Specifically, they broke into the office of the Executive Director and the Deputy Executive Director Programs. All lockers and shelves in the Executive Directors offices were ransacked. All cameras were cut and unplugged. Police has already surveyed the premises and investigations are going on. We have managed to get some footage on the cameras showing four people entering and pouncing on the security guard some of whose faces are visible on the footage. Evidence points more at information rather than property as the motive of the break in. We are now in the process of replacing what was destroyed and beefing up the security at the office. Our heartfelt condolences to Emma’s family family, the guard who died protecting our work” (HRAPF, 22.05.2016).

We can speculate why this has happen and now, as the Human Rights are attacked when it comes to freedom of speech and liberty of political opposition. While the Police Force and Army are so entangled with the ruling party, that they are more a political force, than securing the safety of the people; this is the reality as even an innocent NGO get their offices raided. There not too long ago since the Human Rights Network for Journalist (HRNJ-Uganda) was stolen and raided twice by unknown people. So the killing of the guard of the Office, is just a sad ending and a tragedy. As the NGO HRAPF-Uganda.

If you know anything about these men! Please contact it here to the Mail-address down below!!

 “If you have any information – please contact Melanie Nathan commissionermnathan@gmail.com  – until we are able to provide a direct investigator to contact”.

This is what I know for now. This is just clear violence against an innocent NGO, from somebody either just thieving or connected with government who wants to silence the NGOs from questioning the NRM regime, so there things and actions we can consider. As there hasn’t been taken charge of the ones that raided the HRNJ-Ugnada, so why should the Police Force have the ability or wanting to find out who raided the HRAPF-Uganda? Peace.

Press Relese: Worrying Trends of Journalists Targeted for Covering Political Campaigns in Uganda (26.02.2016)

Press Release: Ugandan radio host arrested mid-broadcast by the Uganda Police (17.02.2016)

Kampala [bmc]-February 17, 2016 – Ugandan authorities should immediately drop all charges against radio journalist Richard Mungu Jakican, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

Police entered the studios of the privately owned station Radio North FM in the northern Ugandan city of Lira the night of February 13 and arrested Jakican in the middle of his talk radio show, according to press accounts and the Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda, an advocacy group. Police also detained seven politicians who were discussing a recent presidential debate on the show, the group said.

CPJ has documented a worsening pattern of harassment and intimidation of journalists in Uganda as presidential elections scheduled to take place February 18 approach. In recent days, the government has deployed military troops throughout urban centers, an act which some opposition candidates have criticized as intended to intimidate voters,according to reports. President Yoweri Museveni, one of Africa’s longest-serving rulers, is seeking to extend his 30-year stay in power.

“Pulling a journalist and his guests away from the microphone in the middle of a radio show is shocking, crude censorship,” said CPJ Deputy Executive Director Robert Mahoney in New York. “All charges against Richard Mungu Jakican should be dropped immediately, and President Museveni should ensure that all voices can be heard in this campaign.”

Prosecutors initially charged Jakican, who is also the news editor of the station, with malicious damage to property after police claimed he and the politicians he hosted had defaced Museveni’s re-election posters during a break in the show. The charges were later amended to aiding and abetting a crime, an apparent reference to the damaged posters, and he was released on February 17 on bail of 200,000 Ugandan shillings (US$60).

Haruna Kanaabi, executive director of the Independent Media Council, an associationof journalists that campaigns for self-regulation of the media in Uganda, told CPJ he had conducted multiple interviews with colleagues of the journalist and found that there was no indication that any posters were defaced either by him or the politicians he hosted on his show.

Authorities have previously singled out radio stations, a particularly influential medium in rural Uganda, for unwelcome attention in the presidential campaign. On January 20, another station, Endigyito FM, was closed down after it hosted one of the opposition candidates, Amama Mbabazi. It remains closed.

Contact:

Kerry Paterson
Africa Research Associate
+1 212-300-9031
Email: kpaterson@cpj.org

Peter Nkanga
West Africa Representative
Email: pnkanga@cpj.org

NRM Primaries – Losers of this rigged elections plans to go independent!

Well, the spokesman of the party is strongly saying the party will be more united now then ever after this Internal Election. Surely when they all or so many has rigged themselves there. Surely they can all discuss the value of pre-ticket ballots and stuffed ballot boxes in the polling stations. That must be something that is discussed in the four day conference at Kololo right?

Just think of Opondo are talking to Odoi: “How can we do it even better in the 2016? The media and this social media people have spread our malfunctions to the world and this moles are tearing us apart! We got to do something!”

Well, that is made up, but you get the point right, and what worth has it to have politicians when none of them lives by the old saying: “Taxation without representation”. But now, do yourself a favor an take a look at this wonderful masterpiece called the aftermath of the NRM Primaries and some of the reports I have gotten today!

Ofwono Opondo said today: “NRM is going to be more united then ever”.

Abletong:

“Owino has said Wednesday’s NRM primary elections were marred by massive vote rigging and intimidation orchestrated by armed forces. Mr Owino, who described the deployment of armed forces as “nonsense,” alleged that the army engaged in intimidating people, especially supporters of Ms Otengo’s rival, Mr Samuel Okwir” (…)“When time came for collecting polling materials and results, the police and the soldiers did not allow us to go to the polling stations. Soldiers were using the vehicles belonging to the District Internal Security Officer, OC station and that of the town council,” Mr Owino told Daily Monitor” (…)”The district party registrar, Mr Isaac Odyang, said the election was free and fair though he acknowledged there were few soldiers and police deployed about 100 metres from the tallying centre” (Oketech, 2015).

Amudat:

Reports from the area is that NRM members has burned the cards in the area up to a thousand member cards been put into the fire. A NRM member in the area said this: “There was no free and fair election in Amudat. What was in Amudat was National Rigging Movement,”

Arua:
“I take the opportunity to thank friends, relatives, family, supporters and the entire Arua community for standing firm with me during NRM Primaries. Though we didn’t make it, we thank God for taking as through the exercise. Not all hope is lost and I still remain hopeful for 2021. I congratulate Hon Abiriga Ibrahim for making it” (Brian Godfrey Obiga).

Buduma South:

Hon. Oboth Oboth is planning court actions after the conduct of the primaries in the district, which he lost. He claims that it was extensive rigging.

Buduma North:

Hon. Fox Odoi alleged rigged for one of the candidates and one of the contestants of the petition has already had it dismissed.

Bujenje County:

Princess Kabakumba Masiko lost her place rumored that she will now join Go-Forward.

Bufumbira East – Kisoro District:

Eddie Kwizera who lost to James Nsaba Buturo, he plans to either join the FDC or Go-Forward.

Kabale:

Fred Ruhakana said this: “I have today quit the NRM. The Primaries were highly rigged in favor of the incumbent”.

Kanugu:

“Those who lost in recent NRM elections have rejected results that were announced on one of the radio stations in Kanungu district saying that announcement was unfound. Those who are against the recent release include James Kaberuka, Ahimbisibwe Gad Rugaju,Josephine Kasya, Muhumuza Frugency and Elizabeth Karungi. They claim that there was no transparency in tallying process, tallying of votes in Kinkiizi west was not done and selective harassment of agents by police”

“Brothers and sisters, lam petitioning NRM EC to repeat the exercise of holding NRM party primaries in Kyaddondo South. If not, l am declaring that l will stand on an independent ticket” (Ahmed Musaazi, 2015).

Katakwi District:

Jessica Alupo (Now Minister of Education and Sports) who lost her place in the Primaries are going to run as an independent this coming election.

Kibaale:

“Police fired tear gas at National Resistance Movement party supporters in Kisiita sub-county, Kibaale district who were protesting results of the recent primaries” (Tumusiime, 2015).

Kitgum:

“An aspirant for Kitgum Woman MP NRM flag bearer, Ms Jane Achiro Opio, has said she will petition the party’s electoral commission, calling for fresh elections after her name was not printed as number one on the ballot paper as she had guided her supporters” (…)”Ms Achiro castigated the district NRM officials for allowing the elections to continue despite realising that Ms Achan’s name had been erroneously entered on the ballots for Kitgum Woman MP election” (…)”“I had told all my voters to tick the first aspirant on the ballot paper because all the names of aspirants are arranged in alphabetical order,” she said.

Ms Margret Lamwaka was declared the NRM flag bearer with 20,200 votes” (Okot & Komakeach, 2015).

Lira:

Omara Odung the Mayor of the town lost in the Primaries to his now councilor. Mawa says: “votes from tally center of railway where he comes from not counted”. The now former mayor says now he will go into the polls in 2016 as an independent.

Mbarara: Mayor Aspirant of Etaara!

“That is the first promise that Mugabe Robert Kakyebezi made to the town dwellers, once elected the next mayor of the soon to become city; that he would restore the largely defunct street lights” (…)”Kacebezi took advantage of the slanderous language of the incumbent Wilson Tumwiine which turned a lot of support away from him” (…)”He also ridiculed some of his contenders saying that they owned no single building in the town and thus were not fit to be elected mayor” (UGBlizz, 2015).

One of the ones who lost in Mbarara Municipality Dr. Medard Bitekyerezo who describes himself: “There will be no end to the troubles of states, or of humanity itself, till philosophers become kings in this world, or till those we now call kings and rulers really and truly become philosophers”. He says that after losing he will run as an independent.

Mbale Muncipality:

Umar Nangoli lost to John Weekesa Wabongo, who now threatens to join Go-Forward if justice doesn’t prevail.  

Mukono South:

Rev. Peter Bakaluba Mukasa lost and is saying that he will go independent.

Nambole:

“Money-Man, Tycoon, Kingmaker Hajji Hassan Basajabalaba has lost the NRM National Entrepreneurs League Chair to Rukaari. He will no longer sit on the NRM’s prized top decision making organ the CEC. He was defeated with a margin of 53 votes after he polled 230 as his ‘tormentor, Rukaari polled 283 votes”.

Rwampara Country:

Vincent Kyamadidi has claimed that there was no place to tick him off on the ballot-papers and as a result of this he will go as independent candidate in the district this coming election.

Okoro County – Zombo District:

Stanley Omwonya rigged the elections so diligently that out of the four sub-counties, he only won the one which is his home and he still won the election for the new constituency that was made and called Oraa out of Okoro.

Tororo West:

Sarah Opendi will run as independent.

Journalist shot during the Primaires:

“Enoch Matovu, a correspondent for a local television, NTV, in Mityana District was reportedly shot on the head while covering an incident of vote rigging during the NRM party elections at Bulera police station in Mityana district. He sustained a bullet injury on his head” (…)”Matovu told HRNJ-Uganda that he was covering the incident and never saw who shot at him in the scuffle, “I saw the local people opening the car and removing the ballot papers which they scattered around the police station, and that’s when I stopped understanding. I later discovered that I was admitted in Mityana Hospital.” Matovu narrated. Two unidentified men have so far been arrested and detained at Mityana police station, according to police” (…)”The scuffle ensued when an unidentified man turned up at a polling station near the police with ballot papers and could not ably explain where he got them. The local people became hostile and wanted to lynch him but he managed to escape and hid inside the police station. His car was broken into and the ballot papers scattered by the angry locals. Matovu is still undergoing treatment” (HRNJ-Uganda, 2015).

The President speaks a NRM Conference in Kololo Grounds in Kampala:

“NRM always follows the truth. All the problems we have had in the party primaries is because people are not following those principles. That is why you find people hiding ballot papers to vote more than once.That is why some people interfere with the register” (…)””Why should people steal votes when you are there. You should not allow it. Why should you beat a fellow Ugandan?” (…)”The NRM secretariat died when it was under my young brother Mbabazi.   The NRM garden had grown weeds” (…)”A member of NRM can ask, what will I benefit? Then you tell him what about peace, free education for the children, roads? And he says even FDC members benefit in that. UPC used to give their leaders sugar and left out others and that is why they are no longer in power” (Mulondo, 2015).

Sideline story: 

The Same day one of the men behind the book called ’99 Reasons why Museveni Must Go’ who released the book on Friday (30.10.2015) at the American Embassy was shortly after that detained by the police. The man I am speaking of was the gentleman of Muhamed Ssegirinya.

I know I have read and written so much on this NRM Primaries, that is because its sadly very entertaining and also the issues continues to pile up together with massive reports. Now we are getting a sour loser who knows that these elections are rigging parties, pre-ticket ballots or written wrong on the ballot-papers. The tale of the NRM Primaries of 2015 is in the name of Kenyan Ballot-Papers.

If they are more united after this then there more united in the way of rigging themselves into power and not giving in to the people, and letting the people find the ones they want to represent themselves. So with the NRM-Regime they will continue to live in the sense of Anti Taxation-with-representation, because that is something Museveni fears with a passion it seems. Peace.

Reference:

HRNJ-Uganda – ‘Journalist shot at, another arrested by police and assaulted while covering NRM party elections’ (29.10.2015) link: https://hrnjuganda.org/2015/10/29/journalist-shot-at-another-arrested-by-police-and-assaulted-while-covering-nrm-party-elections/?utm_source=HRNJ-U+ALERTS&utm_campaign=d55bcb9928-NTV_JOURNALIST_SHOT10_29_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_ff0af7ac98-d55bcb9928-131087245

Oketech, Bill – ‘Security intimidated voters – NRM boss’ (30.10.2015) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Security-intimidated-voters–NRM-boss/-/688334/2934790/-/g1kahf/-/index.html

Okot, Johan & Komakeach, Dan Michael – ‘Kitgum NRM aspirant calls for fresh election’ (31.10.2015) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kitgum-NRM-aspirant-calls-for-fresh-election/-/688334/2936162/-/gwnmvvz/-/index.html

Mulondo, Moses – ‘Museveni condemns malpractices in NRM primaries’ (30.10.2015) link: http://www.elections.co.ug/new-vision/election/1407488/museveni-condemns-malpractice-nrm-primaries

Tumusiime, Alex – ‘Chaos As Kibaale NRM Results Are Announced’ (31.10.2015) link: http://ugandaradionetwork.com/story/chaos-as-kibaale-nrm-results-are-announced?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

UGBlizz – ‘Elected Flag bearer Kakyebezi Robert to Light Up Mbarara Town’ (31.10.2015) Link: http://www.ugblizz.com/article.php?article=800&title=elected-flag-bearer-kakyebezi-robert-to-light-up-mbarara-town-blizz-uganda#sthash.0qFw0Owg.dpuf

HRNJ-Uganda Press Release: “Blatant abuse of media freedoms by state agencies threantens the watchdog role of the media ahead of the 2016 general election in Uganda” (26.07.2015)

Press Release: Status of the HRNJ-Uganda after office Break-In (06.07.2015)

Press Statement (13.03.2015): ‘Muzzling of Press freedom at the Ugandan Parliament’