Opinion: EU Envoy Schmidt are an speaking like an NRM apologist similar to Ofwono Opondo over Besigye’s 2016 Election defiance!

I feel sorry for European Union Envoy Kristian Schmidt who are now sounding like a National Resistance Movement (NRM) apologist, instead of an independent spirit and understanding of the short-falls of the NRM Regime. He seems to been misunderstanding what happen during the General Election 2016. Surely, he wants the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and Dr. Kizza Besigye, to say it just water under bridge and let it go. Since the Supreme Court followed the orders of the 31 Years and counting President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. First introduce some of the beautiful words of Ofwono Opondo, before the Kristian Schmidt’s foolish interview with Daily Monitor, before enlightening fellow European of his ignorance or forgetting the blatant impunity towards Besigye and FDC in and around the General Election 2016. Since he has forgotten while drinking Nile Brew in the Embassy and going on Safaries with his dignitaries. Surely, Schmidt must feel good about himself!

““In this election, Besigye gained 1.5 million votes compared to two million votes he got in 2011 while Museveni’s gain was a paltry 500,000. To the NRM strategists, this is the most shocking, indeed worrying trend, and having located the cause as being our messaging, strategy, campaign style, internal laxity, occasioned fraud and widespread bickering. We shall not blame anybody else except ourselves. Actually, to be frank, we were almost swept away by our collective failure to robustly respond to the Opposition demagoguery on issues of youth unemployment, despair among the urban population, poor and yet expensive public service delivery and bad public relations, especially to distribution of soft campaign cash that often got stolen along the way among other issues. This, to the Besigye camp, should give hope that with better strategic organisation, not only falsehoods, they can in the future topple NRM through the ballot instead of being bad losers” (…) ““The claims of rigging, especially at the last minute through alleged intimidation of candidates’ agents, ballot stuffing, falsification or alteration of results on tally and declaration sheets and at announcements are perturbing and incredibly unbelievable. These could pass as truth if the peddlers could at least adduce some verifiable evidence from eyewitnesses and documents in their possession that differ from those of the EC, which ought to be available from the multiple sources, including the media that observed these elections” (Opondo, 2016).

So when a NRM spokesperson and Uganda Media Centre director had to come in defense of his master. In the aftermath and with the current illegitimate government. Who has no problems in misusing the government funds and had no problem rigging the election in their favor. As the FDC had massive scores of leaders behind bars, had people with Declarations Forms from Polling Stations at Gun-Point, had their Headquarter barricaded and sealed off, Besigye was under house-arrest and the story goes on. Not an adventure, but a true theft a nation. Still Schmidt says this to the FDC and former Presidential Candidate:

“He added: “That is of course an issue that is dividing but I think it would have been good to come together and discuss. It has not happened and election reforms seem to be not going forward.” (…) “The law of Uganda is what it is: the conditions of petitions are what they are, and for a petition to be successful you have to do a lot of homework. Under your Constitution I believe you have little time, 10 days. I know one of the recommendations of the Supreme Court is to extend that time which I believe makes sense.” (…) “ He said “I think if Dr Besigye was convinced before elections that he would not be happy with the outcomes and the process, he should have been the one to petition. He should have prepared for that but he decided before that he was not going to and under the rule of law.” (Musisi, 2017).

EU Envoy to Uganda Kristian Schmidt, I know you visited him while on undetermined house-arrest. Since the Police Force had been stationed in Kasangati, Wakiso for so long days before the election and until May 2016. When he was able to escape and have his own swearing-in ceremony, before air-lifted to Moroto, where the state charged him with Treason charges. Which he still carries today, he is an arch-criminal and seen as an enemy of the state. Than after all of this, you talk about rule of law, justice and courts. Like Dr. Kizza Besigye haven’t had his time in court, haven’t been detained on more occasions than ordinary thief, even more than average murderers in the Republic.

So, the FDC was unable to counter with a petition, Amama Mbabazi was the only one able to fill in a form or petition. Because FDC has done so after General Election 2011. So it is like the EU Envoy for Uganda Schmidt is not in concern anymore of all the breaches that happen to Besigye. Like the whole House-Arrest period, the whole part of the general assault on the rule of law considering the elections and polls. The self sufficient pre-ticket ballots and Badru Kiggundu’s own special math-class. The statistics and the vicious attempt of forging the whole election in favor of President Museveni.

It like he wants the one on Treason Charges since May 2016, since the coup d’etat in February 20^th 2016, when the Electoral Commission announced the result. That as the whole NRM and state organization was behind the whole ordeal. Even the European Election Observation Mission and the Commonwealth Election Observation Mission was explaining the massive flaws of the General Election. Still, the EU Envoy want Besigye just to let it go.

Let’s take his first reasoning, since it is shows his true passion, the Danish dignitary: “Now if this was in any other democracy, like in some European countries, it would be unacceptable that the Opposition party does not then recognise the winner of the elections” (Musisi, 2017). If this was an election in Europe, all of these ploys of the NRM wouldn’t have happen. Not normally, that the army is used to intimidate, that local leaders are paid-off with new cars, that ballot are pre-ticket ballots and all powers to be to silence the FDC. Together with the obvious rigging and mismatch of acts in favor of Museveni. If this would not have happen in a European elections and EU Envoy to Uganda knows this. That why it is remarkable that he says about Besigye.

Besigye knows better and the Ugandan people knows so. They are not fools, even if Schmidt is sounding like Ofwono Opondo and has taken lectures from Andrew Mwenda. He surely has hanged in the same bars in Kampala as these two. To sound so blatant ignorant and so forgetful. Peace.

Reference:

Opondo, Ofwono – ‘The media shouldn’t parrot Opposition false claims’ (28.03.2016) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Media-parrot-Opposition-false-claims/-/689364/3135890/-/2m2g7v/-/index.html

Musisi, Fredric – ‘Besigye refusal to recognise government not helpful – EU envoy’ (09.07.2017) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Besigye-refusal-recognise-government-not-helpful-EU-envoy/688334-4006606-er8gyr/index.html

The Police and Army around Kasangati block the Easter Prayer ceremony at the Besigye residence; detain those taking photos of it; teargassing a two-year old child; and blocking the pilgrims from Rukungiri that was supposed to attend the Prayer!

As the relatives of Dr. Kizza Besigye had planned an Easter Prayer and also collected this together with pilgrims from Rukungiri to attend the ceremony. This would be held with three Anglican Reverends, Rt. Reverend Bamushangire, Rt. Reverend P Kanyonyi and Reverend Kahangirwe and Rukungiri Mayor Makuru. So there would be special gathering in the holy spirit of the Easter. But the Police Force would not give in or the Army let the man who supposed not to be in a House-Arrest, also the troubles for everybody else who was invited to the event, the Police and Army proves yet again the words of IGP Kale Kayihura is worthless. Take a brief look at the report and pictures and you can see for yourself the attitude and actions from government security organizations with a display of arrogance and disbelief that they did not only block a prayer, but tear-gassed a two year old child!

“Police have blocked a team from All Saints Church, Rukungiri from proceeding to Dr Kizza Besigye’s Kasangati home to pray with him. The team was intercepted from Lutete, Gayaza Road” (NBS TV Uganda, 28.03.2016).

A team from Rukungiri led by Rukungiri Municipality Mayor Makuru is still held by police at Luteete a few Kilometers to Kasangati town. They include three Reverends who had come to share the Easter mass with Dr. Kizza Besigye who was denied an opportunity to go to church yesterday. They were first held in Ntungamo at 4:00am in the morning. Later when they got closer to the home of Besigye they got close and got blocked at Rutete along Gayaza road and teargased. The group of was around 75 people and none of them was allowed to enter the home and initially blocking the prayer.

Also at Kasangati there were two people who were arrested for taking photos by the UPDF. This is yet another evidence of the muffling the army and police is doing to society. At the house the FDC Mobilisers Ingrid Turinawe was to visit Kizza Besigye together with her family. The Police showed their disregard to the fellow FDC Official and even tear-gassed her kids, even after the car was cleared through the roadblocks.   

What was planned for the day:

“Easter prayers organized by relatives of Kizza Besigye who ordinarily expected him to join them in the village. However due to his illegal detention and curtailment of his freedom of movement they decided to move the whole parish to Kasangati to hold their ordinary prayers with their son. It was a fully organized function with tents and catering services to cater for the large numbers of pilgrims. The events organized were to include Holy Communion service and baptism of the children. However now the police has not only stopped the event,they have used excessive force on Christian’s and teargassed the clergy and the children. Right now children are in a very bad condition with no medical supplies to treat their wounds in Kasangati because police has blocked even medics from accessing KB’s house” (Moses Atocon Atekwo, 28.03.2016).

Reaction by Besigye Supporters after the blocked prayer in Kasangati

As of yesterday the Police last night blocked the Fourth Estate and confiscating their cameras and stopping them for having the TV show at the house of Besigye, today on Easter Day the Police stopped Dr. Kizza Besigye from having an Easter Prayer. Even the people supposed to attending and travelling together the three reverends and the Rukungiri mayor Makuru. At this point the lies and deception should show the disregard for the decency and promptness as they even tear-gassed a two-year old child on this Easter Day. That is the proof of the violence and sincere aggression from the state, even tear-gassing children, reverends and pilgrims going for a prayer. That proves how much the state is controlling everything and not caring about its citizens, except the ones of the elite and NRM-Regime who continues to live like nothing is happening in Kasangati. Peace.

Dr. Kizza Besigye taken from House-Arrest; AGAIN! Detained at Kiira Road P.S.; Planned to meet at FDC HQ for a National Executive Council meeting to discuss Court Petition; While Journalist detained in Kasangati to follow the situation; Police blames journalist for “Disseminating information” to the public!

As the House Arrest continues, Dr. Kizza Besigye has still limited access to the world. He had planned to meet fellow FDC officials. That he was not allowed to does his party work, still days after the Election Day.

Reported:

“Dr. Kizza Besigye arrested this afternoon outside his home as he attempted to go to Najjanankumbi for an FDC Management committee meeting which will be followed by the National Executive Committee meeting tomorrow”.

Just as before he was taken in a Police-van as he was trying to leave the home and will be detain somewhere as he was driving away from his home; the DPC of Kasangati James Kawalya is still following his orders.

As he went out of the home he got taken by the van and then detained at the Kiira Road Police Station. He has been there the whole day.

About the Meeting that Dr. Kizza Besigye was about to attend:

“Leaders in the Forum for Democratic Change party are meeting today to decide the next course of action as the deadline for challenging the outcome of the February 18 presidential election looms” (…)”The meeting convened by the FDC president Major General Mugisha Muntu at the party headquarters seeks to decide on whether the party’s option of court still holds water, a day to the deadline” (…)”Present at the meeting is FDC chairman Wasswa Biriggwa, Vice President Northern, Reagan Okumu, FDC Electoral Commission Chairman Dan Mugarura, Leader of Opposition Wafula Oguttu, FDC Treasurer Geoffrey Ekkanya, among others” (…)”FDC presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye was also expected to attend the meeting however, he was arrested again by men in Police uniform as he left his home in Kasangati for the meeting” (…)”There is heavy police presence at the party headquarters with regular and field force police officers deployed around the area” (The Capital Gang on 91.3 Capital FM, 29.02.2016).

What I have highlighted is the issue that the Police and the NRM-Regime cannot handle as they have too much to hide by the way they “won” the election. If they didn’t then they would let the FDC and their organization come with evidence to court without any issues together with their presidential candidate. It is obvious that Police is going against the FDC and that shows how the NRM are dealing with their “Knock-Out” win; they are proving by their actions alone. That they fear the petition that the opposition party could come with, also the results of the evidence brought to court. That is something to think about!

Abed Bwanika had this to say:

“Today 29-Feb-2016 I am on my way to meet Kizza Besigye peacefully. Thereafter I await to meet National Resistance Movement – NRM Candidate Yoweri Kaguta Museveni having sent him my notice of intention to meet him. It shall take humility to realize a government of national unity.  For God and My Country” (Bwanika, 29.02.2016).

Mr. Bwanika will not be able to meet with Besigye at Kasangati as he has been detain the whole day at Kiira Road Police Station, and the basis for the meeting and the premise. The planned and sought of Unity between Besigye and Museveni; should be deleted plan as it is not something to go for. The only one winning on that is President Museveni and he does not deserve “Legitamacy” for his power and rule at this point.

Also today as journalist from NBS TV arrived around the home in Kasangati and was yet again. This journalist was Elijah Turya and his camera man was taken away. Another reporter was also arrested not at Kasangati, but in Kampala near the State House in Nakasero as the reporter was filming the piglets dropped there earlier today. The reporter was CCTV Abubaker Muwonge. After the report the matters has gotten worse as the Police have asked to get his passwords for his phones to get the information on his phone. He has declined to deliver that request.

Clip from NBS TV:

“With Kizza Besigye under house arrest, it has become increasingly dangerous for journos who cover his stories. Some were recently arrested by the police for inexplicable reasons” (NBS TV Uganda, 28.02.2016).

One Journalist talk about his experience at the Kasangati Police Station:

“Am back from Kasangati police cells with no charges but accused of disseminating information to the public especially covering Besigye. Among other journalists detained but released together were Lubowa Dean Ssaava Nbs Tv, Elijja Turyagumanawe Nbs Tv, Mukose Arnold Anthony Salt Media, Ssendegeya Mohammed CBS and other 3 BBS Tv reporters. This was done by police to smoothly sneak out and arrest Besigye to un known place without being followed by journalists. We appeal to police to professionally work with us because we are not enemies with security agencies and we want one another” (Arnold Anthony Mukose, 29.02.2016).

I hope I disseminating information to the public because I do not want to sound like Adrew Mwenda or Ofwono Opondo as they are the ones are allowed to write whatever and say whatever with getting the police and being detained at the moment. The journalists and the opposition officials are still under hot-water and the police acting “wokoloso”.

The actions towards Dr. Kizza Besigye are as foolish as it has been since he has been day-in and day-out. Still the issues are there and the warrant or charges for the man has not come. So the issue is that the Police and government are violating his freedom of expression and also political life. As he is the man who they fear the most! While now the Police are tired of the expression of the Press as they attacks the journalists and detain them for doing the job, they are alerting the world about the situation of Dr. Kizza Besigye. Something that should not give them a felony! Peace.

Only in Uganda: Journalist arrested on Live-TV while filming outside of Dr. Kizza Besigye’s home.

“VIDEO: Our very own Elijah Turyagumanawe arrested by the police outside Kizza Besigye’s home while reporting live” (NBS TV Uganda, 29.02.2016)

Dr. Kizza Besigye still under house-arrest; The FDC have been oppressed by the Police in the recent days; Arrests of FDC Agents or Officials while trying to deliver Declartion Results Forms; Journalists arrested in Kasangati! (27.02.2016)

Recent days reports of how the oppression and harrasment of the FDC continues. Something that has been going before the Pre-Election period. As the Police continues to work against the opposition members, their methods are getting clear; there was reported that around 15 FDC supporters was taken from Kasangati while trying to visit Dr. Kizza Besigye.

Dr Kizza Besigye says about the situation today: “Situation at my home is getting worse. All traffic is now diverted from the road passing by our home and no one is allowed to come near home” (…)”David Mpanga & Ernest Kalibbala have been stopped at a roadblock in Lutete (3km before Kasangati) and told they can’t come to my home!

David Mpanga has commented on the matter: “Myself and other lawyers were invited to to attend. My colleague and I were stopped at a road block from attending the meeting”.

There been reported that four NTV Journalist and two Daily Monitor Journalists, while they we’re trying to enter the Kasangati home. They have been detained by the Police. As their equipment and also the driver for the NTV crew has been taken. And escorted in a dark van to Kasangati Police Post. There been reported that 11 more journalist gotten the same treatment by the Police as well. All of this arrests has happen without a direct reason from the DPC of Kasangati.

The more reports from the FDC, is that UPDF under orders of Andrew Felix Kaweesi has directed all people from entering the Kasangati area. As also Wassaw Birigwa, Gen. Mugisha Muntu and the legal teams of Amama Mbabazi and the FDC also have not been allowed to enter the home of Dr. Kizza Besigye! All the Traffic is general now blocked from the home. The UPDF and UPF is now evacuating all of the area and surroundings there.

At Wampewo where Amama Mbabazi was on the way to Kasangati to see how the situation of Dr. Kizza Besigye, he was there blocked from coming to him, but not allowed! The Police is claiming his life would be in danger if he enter the Kasangati area, apparently. What they was supposed to do (Kizza Besigye and Amama Mbabazi) was to compare their notes, the feasibility and what strategy of the petition. That is the danger that Police see as the Opposition are dangerous now-a-days!

Police to Amama Mbabazi: “We have info about what you are going to discuss with Besigye and we don’t want that meeting to happen”.

Today the reports are getting clearer as the FDC agents and officials who have the declarations forms from the election. They have tried to get to FDC Headquarter in Najjankumbi, they are not getting access to it. Those who have gone to the home of Dr. Kizza Besigye with the papers, has been beaten, tortured and arrested by the Police. Today at Najjankumbi:”Ibrahim Ngnda Semuju On Capital Gang: “When we went to visit our FDC headquarters , which are under police siege , Gen. Muntu opened the gate and he was immediately arrested and ordered to squat down by armed crime preventers “.

In the last 48 hours there been reported from the FDC that 40 agents and officials from the party has been taken to custody or threaten in a manner which isn’t gentle, they are either detained at the Kireka Police Station or Kasangati Police Post. And the one in charge here is DPC Kasangati James Kawalya who does what he can to stifle the business and life of Dr. Kizza Besigye.

Also reports of the Police are “Heavy deployed” and have surrounded the Rukungiri FDC offices in the town. So the Police is really working against the party at all levels and what Hon. Mafabi has said during the week that FDC officials, agents and supporters been at gun-point to either rewrite or give up declarations forms from the 18th February elections. Hon. Nathan Nandala Mafabi wrote on the 25th February: “Security agents and NRM functionaries are looking for our agents and FDC leaders across the rural areas of Western, Eastern and Northern Uganda to sign falsified Candidates’ Declaration Result Forms. They are being put on gun point to sign them with either an exchange for money or get arrested for those who refuse”.

So this here is proof that his word had sense behind them. The struggle of Dr. Kizza Besigye and the whole party continues as the NRM-Regime is in high-gear as they try and do whatever to get rid of evidence of the electoral fraud and the vote-rigging as the paper-trail left behind and given to FDC Officials and agents, because they have kept this evidence that gives the Electoral Commission, the partisan police and the NRM who try to cover-up their misfortune and acts of actual coup d’état as the actions is not for free and fair elections. The peaceful actions are not there, as the FDC continues to get under fire as a visible unit of opposition; this here is not exemption. The Police oppression, harassment and tactical use for the NRM are so visible. We know IGP Kale Kayihura will write more nonsense to clean his hands from the actions of his police. Just as his boss President Museveni blames everything on everybody else, even if it is his fault. That is the way that he are and can’t help to do something else. Well, the people should know about the issues in general happening with the FDC, that Dr. Kizza Besigye continues to be under house-arrest is an issue, but there is also more oppression that needs to be addressed and put light on! Peace.

Dr. Kizza Besigye statement on the Police-Force, how he was detained and the house-arrest during the 25th of February (26.02.2016)

Tonight, I feel like becoming a real “terrorist”! This is the effect of endless acts of impunity on the part of the Uganda Police. When the people assigned the responsibility of maintaining law and order become deliberate and arrogant law breakers, where does one turn to? The day (Thursday 25th Feb 2016) started on a bright side, with a visit by my colleague Maj Gen (rtd) Benon Biraro, who shared a number of ideas on how our country could be put back on rails.

I was also expecting a visit from some Human Rights defenders, including Ms Maria Burnett of the Human Rights Watch. These visitors had come to see me the previous day but were blocked by the police at the barricade they erected on the driveway to our home. In spite of sending my aide to plead with the police (since I couldn’t be allowed to get there myself), they were turned away after waiting for more than 2hrs. They were, instead, asked to come back today at 9am. The Human Rights defenders, who arrived at the police blockade at 8.45am, eventually left about 10am without seeing me. After the usual lengthy “consultations”, that involve talking to the top police commanders, my visitors were told that they won’t be allowed to see me! Shortly after 10am, some visitors, who hadn’t informed me of their visit (a normal occurrence), arrived at the police blockade in a minibus from Kakiri, in our District of Wakiso.

As they inquired from the police whether they could be allowed in to see me, the goons that man the notorious police van UP 4860 sprung into action. They opened the minibus, pulled out two of the occupants and threw them into their van. The driver of the minibus quickly reversed and sped off with the other visitors. At 11am, I made my attempt at leaving home for Najjanankumbi, our party headquarters. As before, I was told that I wasn’t allowed to move out. When I insisted, I was arrested and pushed into the notorious van.

Here, I found two terrified men that were in immense pain. The van had a strong smell of pepper spray that immediately made my sore throat worse and affected my eyes. The two men informed me that they had been badly beaten and pepper-sprayed while in the van. One of the men held in the van, named Jamilu Budde (whom I know) was crying with pain and holding his left arm in a manner that suggested he could have had a broken collar bone.
I pleaded with the “Commander” of the van, one Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Kidandi to let me help Budde with First Aid and get him taken to the clinic, but this was denied. Instead, the two men were roughly thrown off the van and I was carried away alone. After driving through Matugga, Kawempe, Mpererwe, Kisaasi, Northern Bypass, and Naalya, I was deposited in Kira Division police Hqs. This is where I stayed until I was given a bond and “released” at about 9pm.

I made it clear, like before, that if the reason they arrested still existed, then they should keep me in detention. Otherwise, once freed, I should be truly free and not expect the police to detain me at my home. As before, I was told that I’d no choice but to be taken back home. I am now back home and, as before, detained there! I tried as much as I could, unsuccessfully, to demand that they take me to a proper (gazatted) detention place or let me free. My sore throat was worsened by the pepper spray I found in the van. I informed my captors about this and that I would do well to consult my physician. All this fell on deaf ears. I have since found out that Mr Budde and his colleague, who were tortured and left on our home’s driveway earlier, were later briefly held at Kasangati Police Station and later transferred to Kireka Police. Mr Budde hasn’t had any medical attention that I am sure he badly needs.
This is the dilemma of leaving in a country governed by a rogue regime. This is the very reason I wake up early everyday to do something about it. I am confident that, by the Grace of God, we shall overcome.
One Uganda, One People!!

Second report as the first polls close in Uganda; with more tear gas; some demonstrations and other poll stations postponed; Dr. Kizza Besigye arrested yet AGAIN and more!

As the day has gone and some first results is coming. I will not comment on them now, as they are not as interesting as the reactions and violations of democratic values and vile display of disgrace of the public will from the authorities and the ruling party in Uganda.

As the Uganda Communication Commission together with Electoral Commission banned Twitter, WhatsApp and Facebook, even mobile-money transfers services. As this could give biased news and dangerous bribing of voters, as the voters has not been bribed during the pre-election period at all. Well, the public found other ways of finding the social media and avoid the issue with Uganda Telecom (UTL/Mango), MTN and Airtel. As they download different VPN services on their phone and still got in to the social media outlets. The actual numbers of downloads this day was staggering 1,432,653. By my reckoning also the apparent ghost that will also in total vote in the election when the tally is done.

At one point of the day the Special Forces Command took control of Nakasero Referal Hospital as it had a technical and importance for the authorities as the Presidential guards needed to secure the premises.

In Gaba a suburb of Kampala the public first waited for hours. This happen:

“In Gaba at St Dennis church a full box was brought with ballot papers already ticked in favor of the incumbent who triggered a riot by locals. Military, Police and black mamba security in tinted cars without number-plate were seen patrolling the place. Voting has ended”. As well as the actions contained this as well: “The voters set fire on all the ballots boxes brought”.

Even early in the day there we’re little or no voting material in vast amounts of polling stations in Wakiso District and Kampala Capital City as the Electoral Commission hadn’t delivered the ballots-papers to the stations. As people came early as the voting starting 07.00 and was to end with the new time 16.00 but with the late arrival nearly at 13.00 or 14.00 even as late as 14.54 that gave the long waiting ques simmering anger at the incompetence or deliberate plunder of time of the people in the area. Even the with the UCC and Telecom bans the Electoral Commission wanted people on Social Media around 14.00 to tell that the Polling stations in the affected areas would be officially open to 19.00 as the people should be able to do their civic duty.

In Kajanisi, Kampala a Police Officer was arrested and taken away as he held over 600 ballots-papers pre-ticket for the NRM and President Museveni.  Radio One report that Kajjansi B health center polling station in Kampala closed after 3 boxes with pre-ticked ballots in favor of President Museveni and Peter Sematimba were found in a car. Live Bullets in Namuwongo Taking Place. Police and Military Have Intimidated Voters hence forcing them NOT to cast their votes, remember, voting had just begun late at 2:03pm

As of Makindye:

“9:18PM Voting at 22 polling stations in Makindye affected by late delivery of voting materials postponed till tomorrow: Electoral Commission” (NBS TV, 18.02.2016).

In Fort Portal:

“At public library polling station in south division, Fort Portal, 450 ballot papers were received yet the number of registered voters is 429, an excess of 21 ballots. And yet Nyakagongo parish Headquarters in East division received less ballot papers than the number of registered voters. They received 10 booklets some containing 46 ballots, some 50 and others 49 instead of all containing 50 each booklet. There was a total of 500 ballot papers. They have 471 registered voters. They started voting at 7:15am Report: Scovia Atuhaire & Felix Basiime (Daily Monitor, 18.02.2016).

In Masaka:

“Polling agents in Kizungu, Masaka Sports Club have confirmed to Kampala FM that they were not given basins where voters will tick from. This has therefore delayed the voting process since they (agents) too can not afford buying basins” (Kampala FM, 18.02.2016).

More about elections in Masaka:

“‎Unindentified people have been with fifty Museveni pre-ticked ballot papers at Kaboyo Primary school polling station in Lwengo. The voters who were present at the polling station did not allow police to take the culprits and instead resorted to caining them. They were later on told to go back home and the pre ticked ballots were burnt”.

In Karamoja:

“Karamojong tribeswoman casts her ballot at a polling station during the presidential elections in Kaabong in Karamoja region”.

In Koboko:

“NRM’s Evelyn Anite slips her ballot paper into the ballot box in Koboko Municipality in northern Uganda”.

Early in Apac Town today:

“Voting in Apac town area commenced by 07.10 am. Most polling stations have not had chaos yet, as they voted, Police are all round in Polling stations. Most of the busiest business centers are closed. The number of people in town has also gone down and a few petty businesses are going on” (Rupiny Newspaper, 18.02.2016).

In Arua:

“Last evening, 170 polling officials in River Oli Division in Arua district threatened to boycott work unless Electoral Commission increases their allowances. They include polling assistants and presiding officers. Geoffrey Drani, one of the affected presiding officers, told URN during their recruitment Electoral Commission promised to pay presiding officers Shillings 60,000 and 40,000 for polling assistants. He however, says they were shocked yesterday to receive appointment letters showing that they will receive Shillings 20, 000 each day. According to Drani, as a result, they have declined to sign the appointment letters until Electoral Commission increases the money”.

In Abletong:

“No incident has been registered while in Alebtong, Amolatar, Otuke and part of Lira districts by 9:00am the voting have not started despite the fact that many electorate turned up to cast to their votes.  “You cast you votes and you come back and continue with your business,” said Betty Akello shorting after voting at VH primary school polling station. Patrick Okello of Omoro Sub County in Alebtong said at Onyeroiye polling station business is going on well and the turned up was overwhelming. “We think the turned up will be 80% because people are voting seriously,” he said” (Rupiny Newspaper, 18.02.2016).

In Kween:

“Elections of the MP kween district have been postponed until further notice reason the symbols for the candidates didn’t match instead vice versa I mean interchanged for FDC was in independent and for independent in that of FDC”.

In Yumbe:

The Woman Parliamentary MP Vote for Yumbe was cancelled today! (88.7 Arua ONE FM, 18.02.2016).

In Ruhinda:

If you ever thought Kahinda Otafiire would go away silent as the audio-tape of his bribing tactics as he tried to buy the seat from his opponent that beat him in the NRM Primaries during 2015. 2016, has not been his year and continues as he has been jailed today as he has been distributing bribes of UGX 20k to voters in Mitooma (theInsider.ug, 18.02.2016). Doesn’t seem that the UCC bribe act with stopping mobile-money service stopped Otafiire from acting up! (I was not supposed to write that or think that, my bad!).

In Kiruhura:

“The shame of Kiruhura, after yesterday all night harassment, detention and forceful eviction of opposition supporters in Kiruhura. Today what we are witnessing is, because of fear instilled on our supporters by the security and armed militias last night, they have stayed away from the polling stations”.

In Tororo:

“Police was forced to fire teargas to disperse hundreds of Apollo Yeri Ofwono’s supporters who had threatened to set a blaze the home of the prime minister of Iteso cultural union Paul Sande Emolot in Tororo municipality. Ofwono’s supporters raided Emolot’s home on suspicion that it was used to bribe residents to vote for the incumbent Member of Parliament Sanjay Tanna” (New Vision, 18.02.2016).

Later in the day Dr. Kizza Besigye arrested:

“Besigye was arrested when he joined his supporters and they stormed a house in Naguru, a Kampala upscale suburb arguing that there is alleged vote rigging taking place”. Kizza Besigye have after the arrest by the Police in Naguru, been taken to Kasangati Police Station. That is currently detained.

“Video footage of an FDC raid on a reported safe house in Naguru being used to allegedly tick ballot papers led by Rtd. Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye in which he was also later arrested for trespassing” (NBS TV Uganda, 18.02.2016).

Shawn Mabiru says this about the detaining of Besigye:

“He was in his home district where he voted when he got information that there was an illegal tally centre manned by the NRM and police” (…)”He walked in and saw them pre-ticking ballot papers. They arrested him and took him to an unknown place”.

In Lira yesterday:

“Lira Magistrate Court today released on Court bail seven people who were arrested over the weekend on allegation of defacing posters belonging to NRM Presidential Candidate Yoweri Museveni. Willy Omodo Omodo the GO Forward Candidate for Oyam North MP, Ibrahim Olong who is contesting for Lira Municipality Mayor and Abura James Walter Youth Councillor for Lira Municipality. Others are Mungu Richard Jakisa the News Editor at Radio North, Otim Innocent , Tile David and Patrick Awongo (Radio Wa 89.8 FM, 17.02.2016).

In Kihihi yesterday:

There was reports that the locals “delivered” and got a 100 Rwandan nationals ferried to vote in the election the 18^th had come to Kihihi district to vote for President Museveni. They all stayed in Kihihi Police Station. As they wanted them to ship them home and let Ugandans vote in their election.

In Kayunga County yesterday as the government was kind yesterday:

“Kayunga District distributed more 66 heifers worth 102 million shillings to farmers under the Luwero Rwenzori Development Programme” (17.02.2016); the Government all of sudden share their funds just the day before the election, nothing suspicious about that at all…

Tally Error:

Nakasongola:

The magic is that President Museveni has gotten over 3000 votes while the original papers from the Electoral Commission are saying the total voters are 2098!

Rushere Primary School:

The tally shows another magical result for President Museveni he got 760 votes, Kizza Besigye 2 votes. The magical part is that the School and Polling station has 437 votes!

Fear level at certain places:

As the results are pouring in and the tallies are counted. The Army is deploying heavy forces in Luwero and Nakaseke!

Amama Mbabazi message during the elections today:

“I ask all voters in this election to keep vigilant and report any suspicious incident. I would like to thank the team from Karamoja that is vigilant and have reported the following anomalies. In Abim district, the District Registrar is withdrawing a Presidential booklet (50 ballots) from each polling station and taking to unknown destination claiming that some polling stations were in short supply/under served. We question this logic because it is not only President being voted for today but all Members of Parliament as well. There are 60 polling stations in Abim and this amounts to 3000 votes being taken away. South of Amudat in a place called Karita subcounty, our agents with polling agent letters and supervisors have been chased away by Crime Preventers who are armed. Tell us what is happening at your polling station” (Mbabazi, 18.02.2016).

There will come more in the coming days as the ministers, local council men and all the elections results will come and people will react to the new 10^th Parliament and who will become the new president in Uganda, as the results hopefully get rid of President Museveni as his rigging time should be over and let the people’s will shine. Peace.

Besigye Address to the Media after Release from Police Custody (Youtube – Interview!)

The quagmire of the FDC continues today as the Police want to show some flex again

There are times when the political party is in a calm and good state. That is not the FDC party of the Uganda. This is not because of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) choice they, but because of the government of Uganda and the Police is enforced to go after the party it seems.

Yesterday started with the Flag-Bearer and Chairman of the FDC Dr. Kizza Besigye being again under house arrest and all roads leading towards his house in Kasangati on the outside of Kampala.

Today after a night of House Arrest he got taken in by the Police and had some hours of detained in the Nagalama Police Station. After a few hours he was taken away from that Police station by yet some other Police enforcers. He was sent to Kiira Road Police Station.

While earlier this morning FDC Spokesman Hon. Ibrahim Nganda Ssemujju was also set in House Arrest, stopped his car while driving out and not being able to leave from his premises. This led to the Police stopping his kids from entering school and travelling there. They had also to stay in the home. As they took him out of his car they threw him to the ground as hard as that his suit got destroyed.

Later in the day the Police picked Hon. Ibrahim Nganda Ssemujju and taken into custody and arrest by the Police. And he ended at the same Kiira Road Police Station around the same time of Dr. Kizza Besigye.

Earlier in Jinja today where the planned events and rallies was supposed to be for the Party of the FDC. The Police didn’t appreciate the concern and demonstrations against the Police for arresting their leader. So the Police in Jinja actually started to shoot at the demonstrators. According to Comrade Augustine Ojobile there was ten injured in the skirmishes from the Police. Even a Journalist got shot at the Kakindu Stadium which is showing how much the Police care.

So when Nganda Ssemujju entered and came to Kiira Road Police Station and later ended up in the Nakawa Court. Dr. Kizza Besigye got moved again when they both been in the same Police Station. The People’s President was up into yet another Police vehicle and sent back to the Nagalama Police Station.   

If you thought the Forum for Democratic Change had enough issues in the last 24 hours. Your wrong, Sir! The new offices of the party in the Kirekka were ransacked by the Police.

So the FDC is totally under attack and stopped for doing their work and purpose of being a political party. Their leaders are being put into Preventative Arrest. There are rumored that they are charged with the breaking the POMA or Public Order Management Act. The honorable Anti-Besigye Act!

This proves that the FDC is not for the moment an legal entity that is not allowed to mobilize in the Eastern or Western district. With the Uganda Police destroying last weekend’s rally in Rukungiri, the car convoy that was going there was stopped with metal trenches on the road. That also led to trucking the car of Dr. Kizza Besigye to Lyantonde. There we’re also many leaders of the FDC actually where in Police custody in the prison there, and also in Rukungiri. So that before the planned rallies in the Eastern Uganda. The FDC is already under siege, not only the home of the Flag-Bearer, but the organization and is really feared by the Police of Uganda. Like their Al-Shabab on steroids! Gen. Kale Kayihura needs a brain-check a cold ice drink and a brain-freeze, because right now his actions is wild as a screaming hyena and causing chaos instead of actually policing in the land. Congratulation for official looking like a baffon! Wokoloso is what you are Mr. Dear Sir Kale Kayihura!

FDC Ladies and Gentleman! Stay strong the Police fear you and your presence before the General and Presidential Election this coming 2016. The Ugandan Government and Police is on you as headless chickens using any excuse in the world to deliver pain instead of generating peace because of your ability to being a genuine political party with certain ethics and codes that the ruling party NRM lacks for the moment; As been seen by the NRM Primaries for Local Council elections and finding their candidates for the Election, which has been marred with fraud and rigging. When there are cracks in the inner party flow of the President and Mzee. While the FDC party can’t hold a rally without having a dozen of police trashing it and jailing delegates who are even elected into the Parliament. Something is wrong in that picture right?

 

Updated:

Peace.