SPLM-IO: Press Release on the Communique of the 57th Extraordinary Session of the IGAD Council of Ministers on South Sudan (04.07.2017)

CEG – “Re: Petition of the Amendment of Article 102(b) of the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, as Amended” (04.07.2017)

The Gazetted Constitutional Amendment will give Life Presidency to Museveni!

That the Minister of Justice Kahinda Otafiire and Constitutional Affairs has The Uganda Gazette on the 8th June 2017, so the Constitutional Review Commission will look into needed changes in the 1995 Constitution, that was last amended in 2005, so that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni could continue to run the Republic and make sure the National Resistance Movement (NRM). Still had the full-control of the state. This is how it has been today, since the two presidential terms got abolished in 2005, but now the age limit of the President is planned to scrapped to fit the age of President Museveni. So he can be the President until death.

President Museveni wasn’t a democratic demigod, instead he is the true President for Life, who doesn’t care about his own legacy and the state of affairs. This because the Republic are totally connected with him. Nothing else matter. This is the proof of the new Amendment, which most likely are made to be fitted his future. The future of a life presidency of Museveni. Nothing else, it is that simple. That a former revolutionary and liberator keeps now his republic captive.

He has captured the state and now keeps it hostage, he uses and spends the state reserves on his own, the crony capitalism, as the envelopes runs wild. There been reports earlier in June that the Members of Parliament to vote for a Constitutional Amendment would mean that they would cash-out Shs. 300 million. That means 426 MPs was elected and sworn-in after the General Election of 2016. That would mean in vast sum of Shs. 127bn. Which is more than the Presidential Donation budget in the Financial Year of 2017/18. And in the budget made for the Financial Year of 2017/18 he was given Shs. 70Bn, which means if the MPs are getting paid from the proposed Presidential Donations it would miss 56bn.

But, hey by then they already have new suits and shiny shoes fitting their brand-new SUVs granted on their Swearing-in as MP. Surely, the easy money as much all the other benefits for being representatives must be swell. The enrichment of becoming politician and representative in the 10th Parliament, if this means that the State House controls it and makes all the political organs as a vassal state. Because they just have to follow orders and comply. The Motion and the Bill might be written by Minister Otafiire, but he is only being a loyal subject of the President.

Since it isn’t the first time they tried to get the amendment of the 1995 Constitution and the changed one again in 2005. Therefore, the try in 2015 wasn’t successful, but now after recent election the MPs thinks it isn’t that striking the plan of the old-man. He just want to rule and without any consideration of the state, which is his vassal. They are just subordinate to his rule and all his subjects. Nothing else. It is so simple, the mere fact of the whole situation. Now if this law is enacted and becomes law, if they found a formula to make the Presidency owned by one man and continues to extend his powers. There aren’t any real state functions that matters, unless it gets his blessing and his provisions. They are all mere subjects, with titles and salaries, but not real ones, because they all just follows his whispers and his commands.

With the Life Presidency, the Vassal State under President Museveni will be official, not only mafia state, a despotic state, but a Vassal State, that is totally separated by the State House where all the powers reside and the decisions are made. Peace.

FVP Deng Gai garnering support in the Diaspora for Political Millage to legitimize the National Dialogue !

The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – In Opposition (SPLM-IO) under the leadership of First Vice-President General Taban Deng Gai are trying to gain support and political millage in the South Sudanese diaspora, as chapters of SPLM-IO part of the SPLM-IG or the SPLM/A, which is lead by President Salve Kiir Mayardiit. This here proves clearly, that the SPLM-IO under Gen. Taban Deng Gai are clearly trying to find ways to find support by the refugees in both Australia, Canada and United States of America.

This is a proof that the civil-war in South Sudan are now being played out across the borders, not only in Uganda, where there are reports of Youth and others capable being recruited to either sides of war. The rebels of SPLM-IO, SPLA or any other new rebel outfit. There are so many new militias either created out of the SPLM-IO under Dr. Riek Machar Teny or from the SPLM/A under the President. Clearly, this is not making the situation better.

The Youth and the Diaspora should know their value and not trade themselves and commit themselves into any fraction at this point, unless they are really sure they investment will bear positive fruits. Since the SPLM-IO/Machar or SPLM-IO(Deng Gai) are of two different sides. Both of them are using guns, using violence and creating both famine and scores of refugees that leaves the Republic. The building of parties and gaining strength in the midst of this. Is clearly just a ploy to gain strength and show numbers compared to the other.

As the SPLM-IO(Machar) has already chapter here and there, in Egypt and other nations where they are following his protocol. The same will be done by ones following SPLM-IO(Deng Gai). So, the initial partaking of these efforts are either supporting a militant government or rebellion against the government. With this in mind, there aren’t much greatness or helpfulness to join either at this moment.

Especially as the core-essential the National Dialogue is flawed with wrong mediation and also not trying to get all the parties into the fold. When not all are talking, the other will still believe in bullets, more than believing in negotiations. That the SPLM/A-IG initiated talks has grand flaws, as the IGAD, AU, UNMISS and JMEC cannot find the grounds to build a sustainable talks between all the fighting parties. There are more troubling talks and within this bounds, the SPLM-IO(Deng Gai) are trying to get political millage by getting more members in the diaspora to become even more relevant and have a bigger organization.

This can easily be seen as getting loyalty abroad and getting support group for the constant in-fighting and in-security produced by all fighting parties, but the SPLM-IO(Deng Gai) should rather as it is direct government with SPLM/A-IG get them to start again to have conservation with the other SPLM-IO, also with all other rebel group and newly created political parties. As the level of people defying and rebelling against the SPLM/A-IG are getting bigger and more troubling. Peace.

Another Day, Another Bail hearing for Besigye as his treason case is now 413 days old!

To say that Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) leader and former Presidential Candidate Dr. Warren Kizza Besigye Kifefe (as almost everyone knows as Kizza Besigye), knows the court system of Uganda and knows the terms of his proceedings. He is still charged with treason, he was first charged in Moroto Magistrate Court on the 13th May 2016, which means his pending trial has lasted 1 year 1 month and 17 days in total or 413 days to be exact. That is severe violation and his times for bail hearings has been steady since then. Before this at least twice he has already vowed not to come back to Nakawa Court. Which isn’t strange, but that he does again today. Hopefully he will continue with defiance within his own realm, since that is needed. The State is clearly stalling time and keeping him at bay, with the easy monitoring of his acts and appearances all around in the Republic.

Here is today’s statement after being again at the Nakawa Magistrate Court after another bond/bail-hearing:

Some time back, I had decided not to come to Nakawa court, but at that time, my bail reporting which was at the high court (Registrar) was shifted to Nakawa Magistrate Court. I have been reporting here both for bail and therefore for appearance in the Magistrate Court. I think the time has come to also say no to the bail because it is the bail that was still bringing me here. So I have informed my lawyer that I will not come back to this court over this matter. They can cancel the bail, I have no problem at all- they can cancel the bail and take me back to prison if that is their wish. From today, I will not come back to Nakawa Magistrate court for appearance or for bail. I will not appear in this court on 1st, Sept, 2017.” – Dr. Kizza Besigye

All who has followed the situation or understand the simple plain fact, that if the government had a case against Dr. Kizza Besigye, it would been in the works and the bail-hearings would just continue. Since they haven’t really started any investigation or planned anything. If it was so, there would be more collecting evidence against him and the FDC Party. Because if this was a serious case, they would have done more with the first days after the General Election in 2016 and the Swearing-In.

But the Police Force and the State Legal Team hasn’t considered or done so, this has been for a show and been to keep the FDC and Besigye occupied. Not a serious charge, neither an honest investigation into the supposed crimes against the state. If the republic really feared Besigye and though of him as an arch-criminal, they would have made sure he was indicted and gone through the court process. Therefore, the whole operation has been to stop him from working against the state. But not really trying him for treason.

Unless, they have reports and affidavits of the ones knowingly of his acts of treason comes forward, unless the justices and judges are making a case worth damn. Which seem unlikely at this point, since May 2016 has left, the same has May 2017. Its over a year and nothing. Tiwali, non, any kind of way you say nothing. Besigye if he had done anything treacherous they would have actually gotten the intelligence and the culprits together with him. They would have all been soaking time in Nalufenya. Were none of the bandits that tried to counter the state are kept. Certainly a man who does a treasonous usually doesn’t do it alone.

But hey, maybe the Republic and the Courts has some answers for their one period of keeping the suspense and has some secrets at the Okello House, as there usually all acts of the State is sanctioned from. Peace.

SPLM/A-IO refutes attacking foreign soldiers and denied abducting people in Uganda territory (26.06.2017)

Press Release.

The Juba government claimed that its forces captured Kaya town on 23/06/2017 after coming from Yei. That convoy included Uganda People’s Defence Force that returned from their base at the border of Central Africa Republic and South Sudan. Juba Militias just found a way out with the presence of the UPDF. The SPLA IO does not attack foreign soldiers on mission not related to destruction of South Sudan.

According to IO deputy spokesman, Lam Paul Gabriel, the SPLA IO also strongly refutes the accusation circulating on media that its forces abducted some people and raided hundreds of cattles from around Moyo in Uganda. This is a base less allegation aimed at derailing the good relationship that the civilians of Kajo keji has with the people of Moyo. The government of Juba has got two bases at the border of Moyo; Jale and Bamure. Its unfortunate that the forces from these two bases always enter with their weapons to Moyo. They should be investigated for the abduction and the raid other than wasting time pointing fingers in the wrong direction.

Furthermore, there is no any negative effect of the fake peace of those of Yakani and Governor Lokonga in Yei state. Yakani deserted already and is in Kampala seeking asylum while Yuma Sabastian is under detention in Yei by government securities for not providing the 6000 soldiers they claimed to have. The struggle continues.

A look into how little the Wakiso Vote mattered to President Museveni in General Election 2016!

You would think on a day like this as the final rallies in Kyadondo East, which is part of Wakiso District, that the National Resistance Movement and the Police Force would bring peace. But they didn’t, they created chaos and moved independent candidates, as well as detaining them for interfering in their campaign rallies. This is the proof of vicious ruling regime and how the basic freedoms are limited for others, than the NRM elite and the President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, rallying for his candidate in the district. But it seems strange that he cares, since with all due respect. He didn’t care about their votes in the General Election of 2016, as these areas have been a stronghold for opposition party Forum for Democratic Change and because Dr. Kizza Besigye reside in Kasangati, which is a vital part of Kyadondo East.

In Kampala and its adjacent districts, the Group observed voting delayed by as much as two to four hours and subsequently observed polling locations where voting was delayed by as much as six to nine hours. Anecdotally, in Kampala, there were several polling stations located within minutes of the premises of the Electoral Commission that did not receive voting materials on time” (…) “The voting hours were subsequently extended in Kampala. However, it appeared that this information was not extensively communicated, as voters and polling officials appeared confused and uncertain of the process. The EC announced that polling would continue in a number of constituencies in Wakiso and Kampala districts the following day. Turnout, however, was low on the second day – which was a working day – and it is possible that many potential voters decided not to attempt to vote, after having waited for many hours the previous day”(Commonwealth, P: 13-14, 2016).

Furthermore, eight teams across the country reported that polling stations could not open before 10 AM. A number of polling stations, notably in Kampala and Wakiso, had not opened within six hours. Significant delays and a lack of effective communication by the EC fuelled frustration and tensions among voters, with EU EOM observers and media reporting about large crowds protesting against being deprived of their right to cast the ballot. In at least four cases, the police used teargas to disperse voters at polling stations. Only shortly before the official closing of the polling stations at 4 PM did the EC chairman announce the three-hour extension of voting in Kampala and Wakiso district. This was poorly communicated to the polling staff in affected areas, and EU EOM observers reported polling stations being closed at first and only after some hesitation did the polling staff improvise and try to re-open voting sites” (EU, P: 29-30, 2016).

The EC failed to communicate and declare final results of presidential and parliamentary elections in a comprehensive, timely and transparent manner. The announcements of the presidential election’s preliminary results started while voting was still ongoing in parts of Kampala and Wakiso. The final results were declared within the legally binding 48-hour deadline, but they did not contain data from seven per cent of all polling stations, and therefore excluded some 675,000 votes cast. The EC delayed the publication of the final results broken down by polling station till 25 February and uploaded them on its website in a manner that did not allow for easy access or use. The EC also did not publish the scanned copies of the DRFs online although they were readily available in electronic format, thus further reducing voters’ access to information of public interest and in contravention of the principles outlined in the ICCPR” (EU, P: 3-4, 2016).

The 2016 Elections witnessed a number of violations of the right to vote, most notably due to late delivery of materials in Kampala and Wakiso districts, described by the Supreme Court as evidence of incompetence and gross inefficiency by the electoral management body. A number of potential voters we’re disenfranchised during the voting exercise, in particular persons who turned 18 between May 2015 and February 2016, detainees, including some pre-trial dententions and Ugandans in the diaspora” (FHRI, P: 25, 2016)

So both, the Commonwealth report, FHRI report and the European Union Observer Group saw the same vast indifference for the votes and voter turnout in Wakiso, the same was seen in capital, but that isn’t where the By-Election is happening now. This proves the lack of care and common sense as President Museveni drives Tuk-Tuk and talk of importance of electing people who serves him. He might say he wants to be challenged in Parliament, but everyone knows that is a lie. Therefore, he detained Bobi Wine earlier in the day and moved him to Gyaza town, so his presence could be in Kasangati and at Szasa Grounds. Not like he could be more ruthless, but surely he would rig these election like he did in 2016. Nothing new there, if the turnout would be meager and lack-lusting that would hurt the old-man. Since he cannot show 90-100% turnout, when there would be no lines of people showing up. Harder to rig just a bunch of paper compared to buck-load, which can be pre-ticket into ballot boxes and look legit. That is how they do, especially under President Museveni. The man who made himself a revolutionary by claiming UPC rigging in 1980s. Such a class-act the President, becoming worse than the ones he toppled! Peace.

Reference:

Commonwealth – ‘Report of the Commonwealth Observer Group Uganda General Elections – 18 February 2016’ (18.02.2016)

COMESA – ‘COMESA ELECTION OBSERVER MISSION TO THE 18 FEBRUARY 2016 GENERAL ELECTIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA’

EU – ‘Final Report – Uganda Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Council Elections 18 February 2016’ (April 2016)

Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI) – ‘COMESA ELECTION OBSERVER MISSION TO THE 18 FEBRUARY 2016 GENERAL ELECTIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA’ (June 2016)

SPLM-IO letter to TGoNU National Dialogue chairman – “Re: Request for Appointment” (24.06.2017)

SPLM-IO: “Subject: July 8, 2016, Anniversary Commemoration” (24.06.2017)

President Museveni’s speech showed his real sentiment at the Uganda Solidarity Summit on Refugees 2017

I don’t believe that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni hold the Refugee Summit in Kampala this week out of solidarity. It was of an operation to secure his state the lost funds that the state has to raise through loans. So yesterday he had the massive speech for the event, which had lot of information, but for me this passage was telling why he had the summit and what value the refugees really have for him. You wouldn’t see them as bargain chips if you didn’t say it this way. Why do I say that, the districts with the refugee camps are in his mind deserving infrastructure, not supported by the state, but by the International Community. Therefore, it was held to raise sufficient funds for the refugees, but if he could, he could sponge of the funds. Not like the National Resistance Movement (NRM), though he was speaking in the beginning of this passage like it is NRM Regime who pays of all infrastructure, but the World Bank and others are giving either grants or direct loans to infrastructure projects.

That is why I’m kind of not surprised of the real solidarity would be pay the bills for the President and his own pledges, instead of really helping the refugees. They are just needed people to gain popularity abroad and solidarity for ones fleeing for refugee in Uganda. Instead of looking into the draconian laws of Uganda, the oppressive behavior of the NRM or even famine made by lacking governance in many districts in Uganda itself. That is why I particular looks into this part of his speech from the Solidarity Summit, as these words prove the value of the summit for the President himself.

The hosting districts of Uganda should also be rewarded. Especially in the area of the road infrastructure, the government of Uganda is already doing most of the development required. On account of many demands, however, there are certain roads that over-night become of high demand because of the sudden big numbers in the area on account of the influx of refugees. There are, in particular, two roads that should be bituminized but the government is not yet able to take on. These are: Moyo-Yumbe-Koboko, in the neighbourhood of the famous Bidi Bidi camp in Yumbe district that is hosting 272,168 refugees today; and Kabiingo-Rugaaga-Magabi-Rakai that starts from the famous Nakivaale Refugee Settlement camp that looked after the Rwanda refugees between 1960 and 1994 and is still hosting different waves of subsequent refugees” (…) “The Uganda government will, eventually, do these roads. If, however, the International Community was to expedite that process and we informed our people in the areas, they would understand that their hospitality has not been in vain” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 23.06.2017).

You can really tell that the President has significant plans for using the solidarity and raised funds for needed infrastructure. Ugandan government wants to use the refugee situation to get funds for national projects and roads. That it just happens to be between the Refugee Settlements in the Northern Uganda. Where the South Sudanese refugees are settled because of the civil war in South Sudan. Certainly, the political stalemate are the ones that even President Museveni is involved in. Therefore, him trying to use it for road development.

Clearly, his real sentiment is for road development not helping the refugees. That is why the districts should be rewarded, not by the state itself, but the international community. If you ever wonder where his heart was, you got it right there. It is not like President Museveni has the refugee settlement for charity, more for leverage and use to get solidarity since the direct donor funds to his government has dwindled over the recent decade. So he has found another trick to get raised funds for his pledges. Peace.