Tag: Kampala
More arrests of opposition members in Uganda today
Today there been reported through several sources that certain members of the FDC party has been arrested and taken to the Police. Some of these persons are Mubarak Munyagwa the Mayor of Kawempe, Nasurdin Basalirwa the FDC Youth Chairman for Kampala and Hamidah Nalongo Nassimbwa the VC of FDC Woman’s League in Central Region.
They got jailed after being active activist going to the Parliament to ask the Parliament to implement Electoral Reforms. That seems like a sin in the country when you go against the man with a vision and the only revolutionary in the country. Then you’re allowed to be imprisoned for their opinions and wish to make change. Also to demonstrate against NRM regime and the laws set for the General Election in 2016. Peace.
FDC/1-84/EC/1/9/15 – FDC Letter to the Electoral Commission on Dr. Kizza Besigye as Flag-Bearer (25.09.2015)
Parliament to Pay Tribute to Gen. Aronda Nyakairima on the 17th September 2015 (with PM Hon. Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda statement)
The Parliament of Uganda will, on Thursday, 17th September 2015 hold a special sitting to pay tribute to the late Hon. Gen. Aronda Nyakairima who passed away over the weekend. Hon. Gen. Nyakairima, UPDF MP and Minister of Internal Affairs died in transit to Dubai, while he was returning from an official trip to South Korea on Saturday 12th September, 2015. The Clerk to Parliament has communicated that the body of the Late Hon. Gen. Nyakairima will be brought to Parliament and lay in State for viewing by Members of Parliament and public after which a special sitting will be held at 2.00 p.m. in his honour. An overnight vigil will be held at his residence in Buziga. On Friday 18th September, the body of the Late Hon. Gen. Nyakairima will be taken to Kololo Independence Grounds for a Church Service before being flown to his ancestral home in Rukungiri for burial on Saturday 19th September, 2015. The Late Hon. Nyakairima was in the House between Sept 1 – 3, 2015, when it met to consider the creation of new districts, Supplementary Schedules 1, 2, 3 and the NGO Bill, 2013, which directly fell under his docket and some of which were passed.
CABINET PAYS TRIBUTE TO HON GEN. ARONDA NYAKAIRIMA, MINISTER OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS
Cabinet held a special meeting today, Tuesday 15 September 2015, to pay tribute to Hon Gen Aronda Nyakairima, who passed away suddenly on 12 September 2015, and to receive a brief from the Task Force led by Defence Minister, Hon Dr Crispus Kiyonga, on the arrangements so far made for burial.The Cabinet meeting was chaired by The Prime Minister, Rt Hon Dr Ruhakana Rugunda.
Dr Kiyonga informed Cabinet that Government had on Saturday 12 September 2015 dispatched a team of doctors led by the Chief of Medical Services in the UPDF, Dr James Makumbi, together with two family members, namely, Mr Henry Ngabirano and Mrs Jolly Ngabirano, to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to work with the authorities there to conduct investigations and to repatriate the body.
Cabinet acknowledged and saluted the significant contribution the late Gen Aronda made to the country’s stability and the unity of the people of Uganda.
Cabinet, however, noted that some elements of society, including some senior leaders in the country were using the tragic passing on of Gen Aronda, to spread falsehoods, negative and sectarian sentiments aimed at inciting and dividing the people of Uganda. Cabinet strongly condemned such acts.
Cabinet approved the burial arrangement plans as follows:
Wednesday, 16th September 2015: Arrival of the body.
Thursday, 17th September 2015: Body lies in State in Parliament for Members to pay tribute to the late Hon Gen Aronda.
Friday, 18th September 2015: Funeral service at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds.
Sunday 20th September 2015: Burial in Rukungiri.
Ruhakana Rugunda (Dr)
Prime Minister
15 September 2015
Amama Mbabazi went out of the desert and went into the lions den
Today isn’t a normal day. Today is a day where it’s reviled after hazardous consulting meetings in Soroti and Jinja that a certain high caliber politician has switched sides. Amama Mbabazi is not any longer a Presidential Candidate in the NRM, but is becoming a part of the of opposition coalition The Democratic Alliance (TDA).
A man who had a special thing and now has gone from being the guy who has a vital part of the chambers in parliament, also and secretary of the party of the NRM party for years has gone into the lion’s den together with the opposition yesterday.
It proves the powerful idea behind FDC, JEEMA, DP, and UPC, so they are now accepting the brother into the camp when the internal parties has already picked their flag-bearers for the presidential election in 2016. He went from being a vital part of the NRM, a man Museveni trusted. Even if Mbabazi is famous for eating big slices of governmental deals and have even chartered high on corruption indexes, they are still letting him in the fold and umbrella of the TDA. This must be joyful reunion for Hon. Gilbert Bukenya who has trades silver coins from the CHOGM scandal in the past. Olara Otunnu knows the man well and has discussed matters concerning Mbabazi in length in the past. The same has Norbert Mao they all know him and how he has acted. As the public knows as well!
Well, so when the tides are turning and the opposition can prove greatness, while the NRM is losing ground. They still have the powerful army and police on their hand. We will sure see more teargas and venues in towns being under siege before the election in 2016. Since we’re still in the run-up! While we waiting we know that the ones that went independent earlier from NRM, might run back to fold to get feed and be underline of the main stem leadership protocol of the party. Though it seems that the fallout rate and big-men that has been around for ages is on the level of agony that Louis Van Gaal in Manchester United doing. Where certain former loved players has all left the club. Now the same is happening with the NRM. Though it is happens in other fashions and ways, but initially the same outcome. There consistency of harsh brutalities and the way people are getting out of the NRM, it doesn’t seem healthy.
You’re either forced out with the skin on your teeth or you’re getting flogged in the main streets of Any-Town in Uganda. Amama Mbabazi I wrote earlier this year that he was starting a walk through the desert. He finally has found shade in the midst of darkness. The campaign he will run now will not be affiliated with the party he has been involved in for so long. This has been the end of it. He lost when he questioned the power of the man on the top, that man would not accept somebody questioning the fact and realities of one sole candidate before preliminary voting inside the party. H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni would not have JPAM or Amama Mbabazi questioning his powers and reach, nor anybody else for that matter. That is why when other people are campaigning in the lands. The government bodies for securing peace will make fuzz and be violent against the crowds. We have seen all year from the campaigning of Dr. Kizza Besigye and recent attacks in eastern Uganda in Soroti and Jinja.
It shows that there are no nobility amongst the cadres of NRM especially when you look at the way they leave their people behind. There so many reasons for the end game of certain long serving politicians seems like their left to rot after being loyal subjects and done all in favor of the mighty president.
So yesterday’s signing of TDA protocol proves a vital point and strength of this unity. Also of the fallout of Amama Mbabazi was inevitable after the clippings of his wings in not so distant past. Which lead to his childhood friend Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda taking over his position as the PM. That was for the big-man on top fearing the issue of aspirations that Amama might have of one day wishing to succeed the fellow leader on the throne. Something that we all know isn’t acceptable by the sole candidate in 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011 and to come in 2016.
We will see what outcome and reach this symbolic turn of events will have. Though this signing of Protocol from Amama Mbabazi should by just the signature on the paper, strengthen the movements of the opposition since they have yet another former weapon-brother of the mighty Museveni.
This also leaves Mbabazi after months into wilderness and without shade, finally getting a gracefully sit-down with fellow peers. Who has for years and decades been under the scrutiny of regime that Mbabazi has partly put into effect especially with Public Order Management Act, which will always hunt him! Like a now evil ghost that was built to suppress anybody who wasn’t directly coordinating their movement with the government of Uganda, this is initially the cronies of the NRM.
So there we have it! TDA with Dr. Kizza Besigye, Olara Otunnu, Norbert Mao, Asuman Basalirwa and so on has now Amama Mbabazi in their ranks. They can soon be sitting together in the lion’s den and plotting their next move.
We can all wonder what this will say about the issues and coming elections while the parties themselves has picked flagbearers, who will be the main candidate of the alliance and the TDA. Will be race to follow and also see how the come-up to the 2016 in the end will be looking because if it follows the start, it will be violent and dangerous to be at other rallies then ones run by Museveni and his cronies. The rest will have to wear gas-masks and heavy gear to not taste rubber bullets of the police force and the rulings from the local DPC. Peace.
ICC-CPI-20150910-PR1148: Ongwen case: Pre-Trial Chamber II recommends holding the confirmation of charges hearing in Uganda; ICC Presidency’s decision to be made in due course (10.09.2015)
Situation: Uganda
Case: The Prosecutor v. Dominic Ongwen
On 10 September 2015, Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court (ICC) recommended to the ICC Presidency that the hearing on the confirmation of charges against Dominic Ongwen, be held in the Republic of Uganda. The ICC Presidency will now consult with the Ugandan authorities and make a decision on this matter, in consultation with the Pre-Trial Chamber, in due course.
The confirmation of charges hearing in respect of Dominic Ongwen is scheduled to commence on 21 January 2016 and is expected to last three to no more than five working days. The confirmation of charges hearing is not a trial. It is a Pre-Trial hearing held to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to commit the case for trial before a Trial Chamber.
The Chamber considers that it would be desirable and in the interest of justice to hold the confirmation of charges hearing in Uganda, preferably in Gulu as this location is the closest to the location of the alleged crimes, or alternatively in Kampala. Also, the Chamber is of the view that the hearing on the confirmation of charges is well suited to achieve the ultimate purpose of holding proceedings away from the seat of the Court, as it is a short, self-contained, discrete procedural step. In addition, the Chamber considers that the estimated costs of organising the confirmation of charges hearing in Uganda do not appear disproportionate.
Prior to making this recommendation, the Chamber received an assessment of the ICC Registry as to the possibility of holding the confirmation of charges hearing in Uganda, as well as submissions of the Office of the Prosecutor and the Defence both in favour of attempting to bring the Court’s process closer to the communities affected by the alleged crimes.
Pursuant to Rule 100 of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence, where the Court considers that it would be in the interests of justice, it may decide to sit in a State other than the host State, for such period or periods as may be required, to hear the case in whole or in part.
Background: Dominic Ongwen was the alleged Brigade Commander of the Sinia Brigade of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). On 8 July 2005, ICC Judges issued an arrest warrant against Mr Ongwen for 3 counts of crimes against humanity (murder; enslavement; inhumane acts of inflicting serious bodily injury and suffering) and 4 counts of war crimes (murder; cruel treatment of civilians; intentionally directing an attack against a civilian population; pillaging) allegedly committed on or about 20 May 2004 at the Lukodi IDP Camp in the Gulu District. On 16 January 2015, Dominic Ongwen was surrendered to the ICC’s custody and transferred to the ICC Detention Centre on 21 January 2015. His initial appearance before the Court took place on 26 January 2015.
Uganda – Recent events on the Independent Candidature of Dr. Aggrey Kiyingi and his aide
Here is a recent story on what has happen with one presidential hopeful. The independent candidate Dr. Aggrey Kiyingi, who seem to run out of gas before starting the election engine this campaign before the Presidential election of 2016. First his application to get the form gets rubbished. Then his aide that was supposed to pick it up gets visits from the police and his home sieged today. Here are the reports on the matters.
Stated from the Electoral Commission on the 4th September:
“Dr. Aggrey Kiyingi wanted to pick the forms but could not confirm that he was a Ugandan”. The Spokesman for the electoral commission Paul Bukenya stated: “presidential nomination forms are issued to only Ugandans and aspirants must prove they are Ugandans” (Nsubugu, 2015).
On the 4th of September Jothan Taremwa said this about Dr. Aggrey Kiyingi’s presidential aspiration form: “He said we should issue the forms to Bulira because he was not available. That he was out of the country and had financial constraints, but when we verified his registration status we were informed that he was not registered and, therefore, ineligible to stand for any elective office” (…)”The first requirement is that you need to be a registered voter. Dr. Kiyingi is not on our register, and even Bulira is not a registered voter”. Commissioner Secretary Sam Rwakoojo said: “”First of all, I haven’t seen the letter but if the department concerned denied him those forms, they are correct. If you are not a registered voter, how do you pick forms? For what? It would be a mockery of the system” (Kashaka, 2015).
Earlier today Dr. Aggrey Kiyingi commented on the matter: “The house of Frank Bulira, (at Mengo along Lunguja Road, Plot 20) one of Dr Kiyingi’s mobilisers who went to the Uganda Electoral Commission to pick up nominations papers for Dr Kiyingi last week has been surrounded by military personnel early this morning” (Nteeza, 2015).
Dr. Aggrey Kiyingi said today on the siege on his aide: “It’s home is still surrounded” (…)”Every peace loving person should voice their objection of this tyranny and intimidation” (…)”But they [operatives] gave his wife a very hard time and wanted to arrest her instead” (…)”Now the Military Personal have backed off after seeing the heavy presence of the media” (The Insider, 2015).
I wonder this will go and how this will be. But something is fishy! Peace.
Reference:
The Insider – ‘Military surrounds home of Dr. Kiyingi’s aide’ (08.09.2015) link: http://www.theinsider.ug/military-surrounds-home-of-dr-kiyingis-aide/
Kashaka, Umaru – ‘Dr. Kiyingi ‘ineligible to stand for elections’ (04.09.2015) link: http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/673011-dr-kiyingi-ineligible-to-stand-for-elections–ec.html
Nteeza, Michael – ‘Dr Kiyingi: My Aide’s Home is Besieged by Military’ (08.09.2015) link: http://chimpreports.com/dr-kiyingi-my-aides-home-is-besieged-by-military/
Nsubuga, Benon – ‘Dr. Kiyingi denied nomination forms’ (04.09.2015)
Link: http://www.elections.co.ug/new-vision/election/1000482/dr-kiyingi-denied-nomination-forms
Letter from the Landlords Lawyer Company to Norman Tumuhimbise: (MS/GEN/2015) ‘Re Notice to Vacate’ – 1. September 2015
He is forced out of his home, because of the Police take him to custody without any court order. The price of that is that he loses his home and has to relocate because being followed by the Police and Security Agencies of the State of Uganda. Because he writes and is activists for the ones who doesn’t have work in the country! How is that possible? Well, could he sue the government for loss of housing and livelihood? That would be fair in the situation though I guess that will not happen and it would not served. I am sure he would again be taken to be Police Officers to an unknown location and beaten again! Instead of serving in court for his stance. Peace.














