Uganda Law Society Statement on Attacks on Lawyers in Line of Duty (18.07.2017)

Opinion: EU Envoy Schmidt are 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

Dr. Kizza Besigye still under House-arrest at Kasangati; while Lukwago and EU EOM visits; the Calvary is kind and let a FDC supporter go in with some food to Besigye (26.02.2016)

Yet another day under house-arrest as the world follows the situation and the way the depressing; Uganda Police Force continues to hold Dr. Kizza Besigye house under siege and have no direct answer other than “preventive arrest”. They have not directly complied with it, while Kale Kayihura wrote in a statement on the 24th February:
“Rtd Col Kizza Besigye is not under house arrest. He is allowed unlimited access to his lawyers, family and party officials, among others, and is not in any way hindered from preparing to legally challenge the results of the Presidential Elections if he so chooses to do so”.

Well the DPC of Kasangati must be counting his boss or the direct orders of his master; if not it is a pure lie on the 24th February 2016 as the Uganda Police chief Inspector General of Police Kayihura. The DPC of Kasangati James Kawalya has the power to either let people in too Dr. Kizza Besigye or not. Therefore up to 15 people and supporters of Presidential Candidate has today been taken to custody by the police as not “everybody” can visit him; as they have to check if you fit the profile of the men that enter the home.

The ones that was allowed earlier in the morning today was one of his lawyers and also newly elected Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago was allowed into the premises with foodstuffs and having a chat with Besigye.

Also later in the day the European Union Election Observers Monitoring (EOM) mission during the General Election in Uganda was courting together with the American embassy riding a big convoy through Wakiso into Kasangati. They could not drive to close and had to have a conversation with the the director human resource development for Police, Mr Andrew Felix Kaweesi. He had to allow them to enter! As the EU EOM was not able to meet him yesterday meet him then, as he was arrested and taken to Kira Road Police Stations and deployed in the evening back to Kasangati. The issue is that EU had to court the Police to enter the compound. This here shows that the words written in the hands of IGP Kayihura from 24th February is utter lies; if he was a free man, the police would not arrest FDC Supporters, would not siege his home and would not tell who could enter and who would be lucky to get to meet him. That is not freedom or liberty, which is a house-arrest where the Police decide for Dr. Kizza Besigye and tell him if he can leave or can visit! This here proves the arrogance of the Police and how the use some words of peace, and does unjust actions the second the public shows the blind eye or doesn’t watch carefully.

Take a look at this arrogance as the loyal supporter show trust and care for his candidate:
“FDC supporter seen escorted by a number of police officers as takes food into the private residence of Ugandan Opposition heavyweight Dr. Kizza Besigye, barricaded by both Ugandan military and Police force for a week since polling day”.

From clear sources when they arrived in the convoy this was the message from the Police:
“A European Union (EU) delegation has been denied entry into Kizza Besigye’s Kasangati home. The delegation arrived this afternoon in a convoy of about six cars. Police which remains deployed outside the residence declined to let them in” (Forum for Democratic Change, (26.02.2016). Something that changed after a conversation with Andrew Felix Kaweesi before entering by foot, because the compound is closed for cars for the moment, as the Police has to secure the area! For some reasons they wouldn’t discuss or really tell, while we all kind of figured it out; as the subtle ways of the Ugandan Police doesn’t really exists... as seen through the pre-election period and continue every single day!

This here shows that there are no moral standards to the leadership of the police as they use the force to the people; as they are treated as subjects, not as citizens as many of the ones by the gates of Kasangati has been detained and driven away. As even the ambassador and the representative from U.S. and EU had to plea to Human Resources Kaweesi as he has the final say together with DPC Kawalya who orders and gives the opportunity to let them in or not. I am sure If they wasn’t international observers and ambassadors that could really sham and destroy the little integrity of the government, they would not have entered the premises and had the talk with Dr. Kizza Besigye. This here proves the mobility and the arrest that he has. If this does not give way and prove the determination of the Police to keep him monitored and also secured in their power instead of giving him an opportunity to talk to his FDC officials and also petition the elections. As the NRM-Regime fears that, because of the massive rigging; they would not go to this extent if he was somebody who doesn’t have the support or political capital to force a change. That is why the Police is not around Joseph Mabirizi’s house, only Professor Joel circles around it to get new jokes to his TV show.

So IGP Kayihura shut-up and talk’s sense, as you ask the public to talk sense and not sensationalize events and rhetoric from the opposition or media. This time it all makes sense, and it is common sense as the facts and the fiction from the Uganda Police Force is just foolish and they could you know; easily see that he manipulates the laws and use Public Order Management Bill as it was intended  the“Anti-Besigye Act” used to suppress his party and his affiliates, as the NRM can do as they want and nobody; especially the Police does not mind, but if the opposition, and especially Dr. Kizza Besigye and the FDC officials; than it is another story and even doing the same; is illegal while it’s okay for the NRM.

So now that Dr. Kizza Besigye continues to live under house-arrest, get detained without a warrant or reason other than pure fiction from the Police, as he supposed to generate chaos or violence; while the Police kills and throw tear-gas unto civilians, while he last time ask for people to walk to a destination, not grab arms and bring down the NRM-Regime as the rhetoric from the IGP Kayihura could sound like. That is the honest truth, though Gen. Kayihura would never say it, because his NRM-Police has loyalty toward President Museveni. That is why the Police secure peace from the President Museveni (that is main objective). The Police does not need to think to much about the government of Uganda or the citizens;  who apparently is the people, because none of them is President Museveni. The IGP Kayihura they are second fiddle and not that important, because he just follows orders directly from President Museveni. Peace.

See how Dr. Kizza Besigye struggle and interview from yesterday evening (23.02.2016 – Youtube-Clip)

This here is something here everybody need to see. This is from yesterday evening when he was not entering his compound at his gates, as he demonstrated against the detention that has happen over days. As his home has been turned into a prison at night, while in the morning arrested again and taken to Naggalama Police Station. This here is one of the times he has been able to speak to the Press about his situation. Worth listening to!

The Clip of Dr. Kizza Besigye goes to 6:45, after that is somethign else. Don’t bother that, the important is the interview! Peace. 

The Saga of delivering EC Forms to Dr. Kizza Besigye at the FDC HQ; the EC Offical had to drive to Kasangati! New Equipment for the Police and more! (23.02.2016)

As we have seen the promise of public holiday as the people can go to the polls tomorrow and vote for their local government leaders, though Kampala and other has to wait to 26^th of February as they always deliver the voting material in the central region late in this election, it is much easier to get the polls in Abletong, Amuru and Gulu then in the central region. So it must be a reason why the elections of Lord Mayor and Local Government in Kampala will happen a day after. Certainly no public holiday as off now on that date as the NRM-Regime is fearing the opposition strongholds, as the Electoral Commission didn’t count or care about 1700 poll stations in the MPs and Presidential Election, Chairman Badru Kiggundu didn’t care about answering that or the Amuru declaration form that has come online, still he delivered numbers saying that his master President Museveni won the District. Surely, you can tell the Daily Monitor to Stand-down on the press conference since you have the police and army behind you.

The New Vehicles the Government can afford:

“Uganda security service squires new machine to counter the political unrests within the country. The brand new armoured vehicles are believed to have entered the country from China and the Uganda police force conforms this and says they are to be used with immediate effect” (TheDailycom, 23.02.2016).

Badru Kiggundu said this today at the press conference after telling the verified results and addressing; also telling the Ugandan people that the EC is ready for Local Council or Local Government Council elections tomorrow:

“Besigye is the only presidential candidate out there in the media trying to come out to refute the results” (…)”“he should not bother coming to the EC” (New Vision, 23.02.2016). Well, seem like first Mr. Kiggundu is deflecting the TDA/Go-Forward telling the world that the elections has been marred with wrongs and not a level playing-field, but hey, Badru only listen to Museveni cronies… that he tells that Dr. Kizza Besigye and the FDC should not go to the Electoral Commission and bother to do that. First Mr. Kiggundu he should first be allowed to walk out his house, before we talk about going to your office! But that is just me.

Wafula Oguttu said this today:

“There is certainly something terribly wrong with the so called elections 2016. Up to now I have not seen a copy of the official declaration of my elections results, almost a week later. We have made several trips to the EC District offices to no avail .Every time we have been told lies. The latest lie is that the computer crashed and the data got lost! Even the presidential results for the district are lost”.

The Electoral Commission visited the FDC Headquarter today – Eyewitness said this:

“They came with Electoral Commission staff and the claim is that they are bringing the results from Electoral Commission. Our response is that these are not working hours and that they don’t need that heavy force to deliver the fraudulent KIGGUNDU results”.  This has been verified that Harold Kajja who recently was detained by being in the offices during the raid has said “no” to accept the Tally-Results from the Electoral Commission.

As it is written in theInsider:

“EC spokesman Jotham Taremwa personally traveled to the FDC offices in Najjanankumbi Tuesday evening” (…)”The opposition officials first locked out Taremwa and his group while police deployed heavily and took over the premises” (…)”Asked whether he was in touch with FDC officials, Taremwa said they told him only Besigye can receive the forms” (…)”Meanwhile, FDC deputy secretary came to Taremwa’s rescue and subjected the EC official to a couple of questions” (…)”“What is this?”, Harold Kaija queried” (…)” Taremwa explained that they were delivering the declaration forms from the just concluded elections” (…)”Kaija told Taremwa only Besigye would personally recieve the forms and no one else” (…)”“Why did you call me? You know Besigye’s agent.  You have his number”, Kaija shouted out” (…)”Taremwa suggested that they call any other official who could settle the predicament” (…)”After making futile calls, Taremwa resolved to drive to Besigye’s home in Kasangati and deliver the forms” (TheInsider, 2016).

The story continues:

“Electoral Commission (EC) Spokesperson Jotham Taremwa: I didn’t know Dr Kizza Besigye was in police custody. All I was told is to deliver these documents” (NBS TV, 23.02.2016). He has to know, he has been in detained for days and secondly I don’t believe that has not heard any media, radio or tv-station where it has been mentioned in recent days. Sorry brother, that is white-lie and we know you knew, you just wanted to save face and go by the sieged offices of the FDC instead of meeting the detained and house-arrested Dr. Kizza Besigye! That is okay, but please say it… And be a man as your a hired man by the authorities who holds FDC Officials, FDC Members and FDC supporters in detained and jail around the country. Show some pride instead of lying on TV and to the FDC officials at the FDC Headquarter.

Special Eyewitness report on the 2011 Election in Uganda from Gitobu Imanyana;

“During the last general election in Uganda I was the head of the African Union election observer mission to Uganda. In an unprecedented holding we came to the conclusion that those elections were neither free nor fair and made recommendations for creating a level playing field for next elections. Our recommendations were trashed and I was involuntarily taken out of the hotel shortly after reading our mission statement and driven to Entebbe Airport where I was given “VIP protection” by security officers in the VIP Lounge until 4 pm when the Kenya Airways plane arrived and I was the first to board for the return journey to Nairobi. I am appalled that this election’s AU observer mission made no reference to our recommendations when they declared a fraudulent election “free and fair” (Imanyana, 22.02.2016).

This election is marred with foolish yellow fever actions from the NRM-regime as the quagmire of actions is mirrored into the waters of the tears of the Ugandan people like now. That there supposed to polls for Local Government Elections and Polls around the country, though not in Kampala and Wakiso it seems, as that is the area where the Government has the most hassle of holding elections, as seen during the Presidential Elections and Member of Parliaments, while also the suspended elections during the first polls will happen in March this year to settle the last positions in the 10^th Parliament.

The most stupid is the way the Electoral Commission tried to deliver the papers of the result today to Forum for Democratic Change and Dr. Kizza Besigye. I believe he was sent home because the Police was informed of the actions from the EC and had to have him under house-arrest as it would be strange to deliver the papers to Naggalama Police Station or Kiira Road Police Post; what matters is that he is still under house-arrest and the police are besieged by them. As I have written before he is the epitome of what President Museveni isn’t; a legitimized leader who is the torn by him as he has the people behind him; while the President pays for loyalty as the celebration in Kampala shows, as the celebration was so made-up and with new mass-produced stuff and not look like credible collective mass of people. This here is just a sad view and should make the President think. That is because I don’t write about the President alone, I write about him as backhand flattery, as this is a story about the oppression of the FDC and Dr. Kizza Besigye, as he is the oppressor who doesn’t deserve any more credit than he has already taken himself with using the government tools to steal an elections and taken the country hostage while oppressing the opposition with using the security forces and the police, not only Besigye, but also other party members and FDC officials. Peace.

Reference:

TheInsider – ‘EC takes Besigye forms to FDC offices, locked out’ (23.02.2016) link: http://www.theinsider.ug/electoral-commission-ec-delivers-declaration-result-forms-to-besigye/

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.