Uganda Law Society (ULS) – Joint Working Committee on Certificates of Succession – Further Concerns on Judicial Independence and Imparitality (19.02.2024)

Uganda Law Society (ULS): Persistent Unlawful Interference by the Uganda Polcie with Citizens’ Rights to Peacefully Assemble and Demonstrate together (25.04.2023)

Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC): Statement on Police Brutality against Peaceful and Lawful Gatherings (27.04.2023)

Opinion: The UPF is ill-advised here…

“As the Joint Security Agencies, we have obtained credible about plans by NUP to reactivate their structures, through various mobilisation drives, in cities and major towns, to cause acts of disorder and lawlessness in the country. This development comes at a time when the county has been very peaceful. We therefore, call upon the NUP leadership to avoid such clandestine methods of work and instead use legitimate means to achieve their objectives. We also encourage them to emulate the other political parties like the FDC, NRM and DP, that have continued to work within the provisions of the POMA and in harmony with the police” (Uganda Police Force – ‘POLITICIANS WARNED AGAINST HOLDING KUNGA MOBILISATIONS AND DEMONSTRATIONS’ 12.04.2023).

In the grand scheme of events, I never thought the UPF or the Uganda Police Force would say the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) is righteous in their actions. That I cannot phantom or believe in 2023. Not after all the years with Dr. Kizza Besigye and how the UPF has monitored, targeted and the regime enacted the Public Order Management Act (POMA) just because of the FDC!

That’s why reading this today infuriating me. Not only because the Constitutional right to assemble and demonstrate is gone from the opposition. To protest or demonstrate in the Republic is long gone. That is in the wind and the authorities will not allow it. They not allowing opposition candidates at Guild elections to hold Press Conferences either. Neither is the Opposition allowed to hold friend football matches to fundraise for good causes either.

So, it isn’t like the UPF or the authorities are allowing the opposition to move or operate. The UPF who is blocking radio stations, venues, conferences, and whatnot for years. The UPF who isn’t allowing the opposition to pray or even participate at events. The same UPF is now saying they are the good ones. They must be kidding me and think we are stupid.

It is amazing that the UPF is lecturing the National Unity Platform (NUP) this way. When nothing they are doing is allowed. Nothing that they think of or even considers doing. They are only allowed within the premises of the Headquarters and after that it’s a free-for-all. Therefore, putting them in the same line as the ruling party NRM is exhausting. The NRM can hold rallies, galivanting across the republic and not consider even to petition the UPF. They just show up and can even hold demonstrations for “favourable” causes. Therefore, who is the UPF trying to fool?

We know the tear-gas, the arrests, and the well-known police brutality. We know how the UPF operates and how it will raid the offices of the NUP or FDC. The way and manner of pre-emptive house-arrests of leaders, if not take them away and keep them incommunicado for a while too. That’s what the UPF does, and I wouldn’t be shocked if it happens now too. It is just the way the authorities and the UPF acts. Peace.

Robert Rukaari Mwesigwa MP letter to the Commandant of Police Professional Standards Unit – Re: Complaint against ASP Mkiibi Karim & Another (07.03.2023)

Uganda Law Society (ULS): Statement on Torture of Suspects under Detention by Security Forces (05.02.2022)

Opinion: Museveni’s recent address don’t reassure anyone

“I’m not your usual president. I speak with action and let me remind you that I’m not going to show any mercy to anyone who is Found guilty of killing my people. We are not here to joke, Uganda is able to protect itself from people who think that they’re better than us. We have already Gunned down several ISIS leaders and now they know that I’m not a man who you should play with. The sheikh who ordered his men to kill my people should run because I’m also ordering my men to go after them, it’s fire for fire don’t confuse power and authority” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (20.11.2021).

Everything that General Museveni touches has to be violent. There is no peace and no sort of resolve. That’s how General solves things and not in a manner of which is with protocol. Yesterday he defended extra judicial-killings. He has no issues with it and seems to order it. This is not a warning, but a stern realization that the President believes he has the right of people’s life and death.

This national address on COVID-19 and National Security isn’t anything new. Very little was said that was striking or game changing. We have heard these things before and the state just shows intelligence in speeches, but without further proof. The President just speaks of intent and violent force. Because, that is how you strike fear and not how you generate peace. However, this is all that Museveni have after over 30 years in power. He cannot have love or care, neither concern or ability to read the room. No, he just have to blaze the guns and thinking that this is the manner of which terrorists will fear him.

As he continues…

“If ADF had remained quiet and not attacked Gen Katumba we wouldn’t have known them.They are overestimating themselves. They wanted to kill Gen Katumba because he is a big government person to show they are there. Although Jamilu Mukulu was arrested, they wanted to show they are still there (in existence). They also thought that Katumba being the Minister of Works and was to work on road in DRC which is their territory, how dear he” (Museveni, 20.11.2021).

“I have heard some arguments about Kirevu and how he was a good person. The attempt to kill Gen Katumba landed them in trap. All these incidents are linked. Our security was lax but when you provoke them, they wake up. We were able to use technology to identify some of them. It is a matter of time we got them” (Museveni, 20.11.2021).

It is strange how these things goes and how these things are connected. As the state claims it is ADF behind it all. While, there is no court trial or any evidence gathered for a court case. No, it is just empty statements in speeches. The Minister and General Katumba should be insulted of being used this way after surviving an assassination attempt and his daughter lost her life there together with his driver. They have not gotten justice or peace. Just like all the people in Kampala who lost their lives in the bombs.

The President is just showing his fierceness, but it is just a flex. This isn’t strength or ability to show control or have systems to ensure people’s safety. Instead it is boosting his own ego and his troops. They are just trigger-happy soldiers and officers who kills. Just like the terrorists does and without proof of alleged crimes or terrorist activity.

We should with certainty… but we cannot be happy with this. The President isn’t showing any sort of character or ability to govern here. Only that he can order people deaths and destroy lives. It is not like can secure or ensure anyone. That is missing here.. and he cannot regain that trust. Since he believes his guns and army can fix everything. That is evident here and parts of it is true. Because, we know he is only ruling because of it. If it wasn’t for the army and the soldiers, he wouldn’t have an office to go to. The President needs the UPDF and Intelligence Agencies to secure his political life. While, that will not give peace to the general public or secure their lives. As the President cannot find ways to make things peaceful and justifiable. If he did, he wouldn’t be speaking like this and be such an inactive person at the same time. Peace.

Opinion: Extra Judicial-Killings will not solve crimes or stop terror

Yesterday it was revealed from the Uganda Police Force that they killed Sheik Muhammed Kirevu. A man who was in their custody and handcuffed. The authorities had him in their midst and still they decided to shoot-and-kill him. That is extra judicial killing. They killed him right in-front of his family and his kids as witnesses.

The authorities are not only the ones who apprehend alleged criminals, but they are the court and the hangman. They are all in-one and they do this on their duty. This isn’t the first time or the last of which the Police Force or any of the state Security Organizations are inclined to use lethal force to stop an alleged criminal or suspect. They are not tried or charged, they are just taken out.

This isn’t the manner of which shows a difference between the state and a terrorist organizations. Since, the ones dropping the bombs is issuing terror and the state is issuing terror with their guns. There is no very to no difference between the parties. They are both sanctioning death upon both innocent and suspects. The state can after the fact claim links and evidence for the suspect. However, that was never proven in the courts or their supposed illegal activity was never tested. Therefore, it is flawed and what if the person was just another citizens catching a stray-bullet? Will the Police or Authorities take this to account and be responsible for the unfortunate death?

I doubt that… and Sheik Kirevu might have been connected to the ADF and might not have. All we know now is that he was in their custody and he ended up dead. Instead of doing due diligence and doing the process. Proving the alleged criminal conspiracy and his involvement in the terrorist organization. He was taken out and we can never know now. The Police Force is coming with hearsay and allegations, which will never be proven. They can say he was monster and a vicious individual, but the man can never defend his innocence either. Since the man is no longer breathing.

This is why the whole ordeal is wrong. The state isn’t doing this right. They are ambushing and hostile. They are not trying to show why they are righteous and have the laws to uphold. Since, there is no indication of difference between them or the bombers. Both are just killing senselessly and doing it for their respective end-game. That is the tragic things here and in the manner of the Sheik. Its his kids that is scarred for life. While the victims and the families of Kampala will forever be touched by the bombs earlier this week. In this way, nobody is getting peace and resolving the hurt. The state isn’t fixing things the right way, but only causing more harm.

The Uganda Police Force and all the other agencies shouldn’t be proud for doing this. There is little to no difference between them and a average murderer. They both kills, but one has a license like James Bond and the other is a nameless killer. The officers and state agents should be better, than random stranger with a gun. However, in 2021 in the Republic that’s too much to ask. We can beg to differ, but the reality is that this is how they operate.

This is how they deal with criminals, by being their own gang of operatives ready to shoot and kill. The Courts are useless and laws are too. When lives can be taken so easily and without mercy. The idea of an extra judicial killing should be a rare occasion, but in concern to the UPF. It is just to common and so ordinary. That is why this is a cultural way of acting and modus operandi. This is the tragic thing and lives which can never return is taken in the quest for “justice”. However, justice was denied and never served. The ones they are trying to rectify or act for isn’t getting the truth. They are just hearing about more families scorn by the authorities who acts like outlaws themselves. Peace.

Uganda Police Force (UPF): Further Update Surrounding the Bomb Blast Investigation (17.11.2021)

Opinion: The ADF have returned and Museveni dared them to do so in 2013…

“ADF terrorists are still in Congo. However, if they dare cross the border, they know what happened to them last time in 2006. Over 100 of them entered Semliki valley, only 13 went back to Congo” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on NRM Day 2013 (New Vision, 31.01.2013).

When you have been in office for decades certain promises gets lost in time. Mr. Yoweri have promised everything possible to man and as a head of state he pledged more than most. The old man with the hat, Mzee and his security agencies aren’t as profound or as great as he claims. Because, they usually tends to assault, torture and harass unarmed civilians. They are not used to stop terrorists or trained armed personnel.

Now, what is striking is that ADF have continued to exist in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Where they have held bases and trained militia members. They have killed civilians and served atrocities. It is not like they we’re totally out or destroyed. Yes, some of the leaders have been arrested and others too. There been reports of FARDC ambushes of camps and getting rid of parts of the ADF-NALU militia. However, they have still been able to recruit and gain enough support to be kept alive. Therefore, the statement of Museveni was dead at a still-birth.

So… in 2021 the ADF-NALU followed the old challenge of His Excellency and they have returned with a vengeance.

In 2021:

“Last Saturday, a home-made bomb exploded in a northerly Kampala suburb, Kawempe, killing a 20-year-old waitress and injuring scores. Police described the attack as an “act of domestic terrorism” which, under Uganda’s Anti-Terrorism Act, enacted in 2012 and revised in 2017, means any of 10 crimes committed to influence government or intimidate the public” (Tabu Butagira – ‘Inside ADF terror threat over Uganda, neighbours’ 26.10.2021, Daily Monitor).

“KAMPALA, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) — Uganda on Tuesday said the recent bombing in the central part of the country was planted by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a rebel group holed up in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni in a statement issued by the State House said the bomb that went off on a bus traveling to western Uganda was planted by the ADF” (Xinhua – ‘Ugandan president says bus bombing plotted by ADF’ 26.10.2021).

“ At a press conference on Tuesday, Uganda police spokesman Fred Enanga said that the commander of the Alliance of Democratic Forces (ADF) Mohammad Nkalubo coordinated the bombings. Enanga also said that the police caught three men who were involved in organizing the attacks. “So far, we have managed to arrest three collaborators who received money from ADF sources and distributed it among the recipients, their operatives and agents in the country.” (…) “Great Lakes security analyst Dismas Nkunda said it shouldn’t be surprising if the ADF reports are correct, given that the group is based in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The group has been operating in the DRC for the past 20 years after being ousted from Uganda. Authorities say the group is expanding to other countries in the region. Nkunda says the explosions could show new aggression from the ADF. “This will be a new chapter in understanding what the conflict in Uganda will be like if it is a terrorist organization seeking to inflict maximum harm.”” (Nation World – ‘Uganda Police Blame ADF Rebel Group for Capital Explosions’ 26.10.2021).

We are seeing here two incidents where the ADF are claimed to be involved in terrorist attacks. One in Kawempe, Kampala and the other on a bus travelling to Western Uganda. This is worrying, as the state has several of outfits who deals with intelligence gathering. These are the ones that is monitoring people and following leads. Giving it to the authorities and saving lives. Alas, the authorities clearly haven’t followed ADF-NALU to the fullest.

Since they have been able to pass through the cracks and explode on civilians. These acts of terrorism is showing a need for a reform and a need to structure the authorities differently. They are reactionary and not passing the baton, in a manner, in which they could apprehend suspects or even intelligence of their actions at a early stage. That can be said, as the state isn’t alert or have the capacity to follow or monitor the ones who are deemed as “sleeper cells” or “terrorists”. This is why they can succeed in their missions. Which is tragic and innocent lives are taken because of it.

The ADF-NALU have dared to return and they done with massive harm. They are taking lives and causing horror. Families are ripped apart and others are endangered. The ADF-NALU is showing their might and force to the general public. As their sole mission in the past was to overthrow Museveni. However, we doubt that is the means to this end right now.

They are now signing to the “high above” that they are still there and should be recognized. The ADF-NALU is proving their existence and that they are coming to terrorize as well. They followed his dare and has returned. The outcome is horrible and people lives are taken in the midst of it. It is tragic, but shows what mismanagement and hubris does to man. Museveni could have fixed this, but he let other people suffer the blow in the DRC. Now, the same ghosts of the past has returned to haunt him still. Peace.