IGP Kale Kayihura on the unrest in Kasese and Bundibugyo (13.03.2016)

This statement is to give information in connection with recent incidents of violence in Kasese and Bundibugyo districts given the distorted, and manipulated messages being sent out, especially on social media.

Let me begin by congratulating the people of Uganda for generally peaceful and successful election, namely presidential and parliamentary elections on 18th February 2016, The LCV Elections on 24th February 2016, the mayoral elections on 2nd March 2016 and the LC III chairperson on 9th March 2016. In particular, I wish on behalf of the police and the sister security agencies to thank you for the support you gave us to ensure that the country is safe and secure. The valuable contribution of the crime preventers in effectively implementing “Neighborhood Watch”, where neighborhoods and villages where security forces could effectively deploy is greatly appreciated.

Having said the above, however, there were isolated case incidents of violence here and there in some parts of the country but which we were able to handle and minimize damage to life and property, keep public order and ensure that the country is safe and secure. In this context let me focus on incidents in the Rwenzori sub-region.

Bundibugyo District.

After the February 24th LC5 elections, there were clashes resulting from dissatisfaction by some candidates and their supporters. the violence started in Busengerwa village of Busaru sub county where one person was shot dead by a former UPDF guide, called Museveni Bonifance, alias Bhangi, which led to retaliatory attacks in Busaru, Ngamba and Kirumya sub counties, leaving 15 Civilians dead and 04 others injured, 139 houses were also set ablaze. Following the incidents, eighty suspects were charged with murder in the high court sitting in Fort Portal on 11th March 2016 and subsequently remanded. Bhangi, the killer that started it all was arrested last night in Busaru sub County, Bundibugyo District. Hunt for other suspects, and the investigations continue.

Let me commend the joint security forces for acting swiftly and preventing the violence from spreading and ensuring security in Bundibugyo District.

Kasese District

On the night of 10th March2016, at 8pm, the day after the elections of LC III Chairpersons, a joint motorized patrol of Police and UPDF, while patrolling lower Kendahi cell, Kikongo ward, Hima Town Council, was attacked by over 30 persons armed with machetes, knives and clubs. 04 soldiers were injured, two of them critically, and the attackers tried to grab their guns. In self-defense, the patrol opened fire on the attackers, instantly killing two of them, and forcing the rest of them to flee. The injured soldiers are Cpl Ssentongo Matia, L/Cpl Rwot Owengeyo, L/Cpl Katuramu Hannington, and L/Cpl Otube Moses. They were rushed to Kilembe Hospital for first aid and the following day, they were referred to UPDF 2nd division Hospital in Mbarara. Two are still in critical condition.

Later the same night, at about 9:00pm, a group of arsonists torched a house of one Kamanyire Ali. Kamanyire is a known supporter of one Tom Wabukombi, who was one of the candidates but lost in LC III elections in Hima Town Council, but his tenants are said to have supported his rival candidate John Katuura, who won the elections.
Following this incident the RPC Rwenzori East informed of the situation and requested for reinforcements. I sent a team of Field Force Unit under the command of Commissioner of Police (CP) Opolot Jacob.

On 11th March 2016, at around 1:00pm, a team of Police UPDF officers led by CP Opoloto Jacob, while on a pre-deployment assessment mission in Kasenyi village, Buhurira Sub County, was attacked by a group of about 20 youths, armed with machetes, knives and clubs. They stabbed SPC Mbusa Joel, critically injuring and disarming him of hid firearm. They also stoned CP Opolot Jacob fracturing his right leg. The security team fired shots in the air to scare them but the attackers were nit, and in fact became even more aggressive. In self-defense, the team opened fire killing 4 attackers, and recovering the gun that had been taken from SPC Mbusa Joel. CP Opoloto Jacob and SPC Mbusa Joel were rushed to Kilembe Hospital. We are transferring them to Mulago Hospital for further medical treatment.

The attackers who were killed are Kake Ezekiel, Bwambale Sajin, Wayakwa James and Kirerembwa Jokas. What is common to them is that they were members of a militia group linked to Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu cultural institution, calling themselves “Kirumiramutima” (strong-hearted). It should be noted that the Omusinga wa Rwenzururu has got official Royal guards given to him by, and based on agreement with Government. Three suspects connected with the attack have so far been arrested and are helping the Police with Investigations.

Furthermore, on the morning of yesterday Saturday 13th March 2016, unknown people set ablaze the house of the GISO of Kyabarunga Sub County in Kasenyi village as well as houses of eight other persons, who are his relatives. They also torched a butchery and a drug shop in the same area. We have information that criminal gangs are being incited to target GISOs and Crime Preventers and their properties in Kasese District.

It should be noted that prior to the 2016 LC III Elections on 9th March 2016, there were widespread threats and intimidation not only in Kasese district, but throughout the sub region against voting for certain candidates. We are investigating reports in the case of Hima Town Council that if the elections go in favor of the NRM candidate John Katuura against Independent candidate Tom Wabukombi, there would be bloodshed. In fact, it was because of similar reports that there was increased patrols in Hima Town Council, where one of our patrols was attacked. In fact, on the night of the Election Day 9th march 2016, supporters of Tom Wabukombi, contrary to electoral laws, declared their candidate the winner, and started celebrating in Hima Town. The following day, on 10th March, after the final tally of valid votes cast, the electoral commission declared the NRM candidate John Katuura as the winner. In reaction, Wabukombi’s supporters assembled at his office in Hima Town Council, and subsequently incidents of attacks on our security personnels. Joint UPDF and Police reinforcements have been deployed in all affected areas. The people in those areas should therefore not fear, and should go about your normal business.

In spite of the above mentioned incidents, however, I wish on behalf of the police and sister security agencies to assure the Public that we shall continue to ensure the security and safety of the Rwenzori sub region, and the country, as a whole. We caution those misleading the youth into engaging in reckless, and meaningless attacks on the security forces and other innocent people to desist from this criminality, otherwise the law and justice will catch up with them.

We, also, the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu Cultural Institution, as well as other cultural institutions in the region to cooperate with security forces to engage, particularly the youth against getting themselves involved in violence, and ensure that business life, and the life of ordinary people in Kasese District, and the sub region as a whole goes on, normally without disturbance from irresponsible, reckless, and even dangerous criminal activities.

Picture of the Week: “The Ballot that stomps on the Leopards anus”

Difiance in action, indeed!

Ugandan people shun the Local-Government Elections today; While Dr. Kizza Besigye is arrested while trying to go out and vote!

Today is the Local Government Elections in most places in the country except for the once that gets suspended because of wrong names on the ballots or the persons who are supposed be on the ballots. This time around the ballot-papers we’re delivered on time, everywhere actually and the polling agents was ready. There was also informed to be a public holiday so that there should be possible to show up, but this here is a silent demonstrations and a free-for-all after the sham of an election the 18^th February.

Just as the main elections of the Executive and representatives in the Parliament, this here will be marred with malpractice and even rigged. Therefore the people have shunned the event and polls. As they don’t trust the Electoral Commission; I have lots and lots of issues from around the country, this here is not just an reaction to all those people who never got their say on the 18^th February, but also all them who never got counted that day. Here are some reports.

From Kampala in the morning:

“Although polling materials were dispatched early enough by 6am, the poor turn up of voters has caused delays in starting of the voting exercise. At some polling stations in Nakawa and in Namirembe at Mengo primary polling station, Makarere and Kabale among others voting started after 7:40am with one or two voters occasionally showing up.  The stipulated time to open the polls is 7am and closing time is 4pm. The Electoral Commission has done its part to deliver the materials on time and ensure their electoral agents are already stationed for duty” (Radiocity 97FM, 24.02.2016).

As the Electoral Commission stated on social media:

“Kyankwanzi District that elections for the District Chairperson have been suspended today” (EC, 24.02.2016).

The Observer wrote this:

“Voting material mixup: Wrong ballot papers sent to 6 sub counties in Bundibugyo in  Busaru, Nyahuka, Bubugwanga, Ntoroto, Kasitu & Ntandi” (Observer, 24.02.2016).

Comboni Hospital Polling Station, Bushenyi

In Bushenyi:

The NRM continues to rig elections in the area as the NRM get the FDC Monitors of the elections is arrested, while the NRM starts to bribe the voters to vote for them. And stacks of money are taken to the sub-counties in the area as well. The NRM mobilisers are in the markets and buying the voters. This report from one of polling stations in the district: “Empty Polling Stations in Bushenyi, here at Comboni Hospital; people have refused to go to vote. Atleast 100 people have voted out of over 350 people who voted at this polling station last week”.

In Lungujja:

“Signed blank declaration forms have been discovered in Lungujja by Rubaga MP Elect Moses Kasibante. Chaos has ensues” (93.3. KFM, 24.02.2016).

In Kabale, Moroto and Katakwi:

“In Kabale, voter turn up is low, partly because the district chairperson is unopposed, our correspondent reports” (NBS TV, 24.02.2016). “9:53 LIVE: Our report David Ochieng in Tororo says voter turn out is still low. Voters are complaining about the Biometric Voter Verification” (NBS TV, 24.02.2016). Our reporter Mike Onyang says in Moroto, more locals have been seen at drinking joints than at many polling stations. Onyang says many voters he has spoken to in Moroto say they are fatigued and are still mourning the loss of ‘their’ candidates (NBS TV, 24.02.2016). Very low turn up in LC5 and LC5 councilor’s in Katakwi as the case in the rest of Uganda.

In Jinja:

“Voting for the district chairpersons and councillors is underway, but here in Jinja the voter turnout is significantly low as compared to the just concluded presidential and Members of Parliament election. All this, despite today being a public holiday” (89 Smart FM, 24.02.2016).

In Nebbi:

“Local government elections in most parts of the country have been characterized by low voter turn up compared to Presidential and parliamentary elections. For instance in Nebbi district at boma one polling station by 11:00am only 57 out of 500 voters had voted while boma two out of 142 only 37 had cast their vote” (Radio Paidha Ltd, 24.02.2016).

In Iganga:

There police and military are at the Polling Stations and the roads in the district.

In Kumi:

“Electoral Commission has postponed the polls for the Kumi District LC V chairperson, following the death of Charles Otaok, the Go Forward Candidate. Otaok died in a motor accident along the Mbale-Soroti highway, a fortnight ago. The Kumi District Returning Officer, Monicah Ngobi, said this morning that they received communication from the Electoral Commission headquarters in Kampala, to postpone the elections of the LC V chairperson until further notice” (RadioCity 97FM, 24.02.2016).

There been low voter turn-up in Entebbe, Gulu, Makindye, Lyantonde, Lwengo, Masaka, Sembabule, Mukono, and Kampala. In certain areas there are more Polling Officals then voters. Look forward to see how they will fix the results from this locals elections Seem that the country there is low-turn up as people seem to have lost faith in Eng. Dr. Badru M. Kiggundu and his Electoral Commission. Who decide for them and therefore they boycott this election to prove as a demonstrations against the regime! As with the other election on the 18^th February there been people captured with pre-ticket ballots. There been silence and not much action since the announcement of the Presidential and Members of Parliament elections has been rigged and taken the public for granted. Therefore the result is low turn-up and showing the Electoral Commission.   

Reports from Presidential Elections in Karamjoa and explains the 95% for President Museveni:

“In Karamoja the Electoral Commission District Registar has been beaten by the Special Forces command on the 17^th February before making off with all the ballot boxes. He is currently paralyzed”.

Just as the low-voter turn-up the Local-Government does not need Dr. Kizza Besigy’s ballots it seems:

“Col dr Kizza Besigye has been blocked from leaving his Kasangati home. He planned to travel this morning to Rukungiri for local government elections. From the start of the week, Dr Besigye has been kept by police, inside his Kasangati home during the night, and in police cells during the day. Last night at around 10:30pm as he was being returned from police detention back to his home, Dr Besigye said he was tired of this routine, and that he would rather remain in police custody, than being enslaved inside his own house. Besigye on the other hand says he needs to prepare to legally challenge the presidential election results in courts of law, and has now less than 6 days to put together all the necessary evidence” (RadioCity 97FM, 24.02.2016). In the New Vision: “Kizza Besigye of FDC was earlier today denied chance to leave his home to go to Rukungiri to cast his vote in the local council polls by the area DPC, James Kawalya” (New Vision, 24.02.2016).

As the voters shun the election, Dr. Kizza Besigye still not allowed moving freely and under arrest on yet another day! The Electoral Commission will struggle to get more voters than the polling stations as the numbers should be small and the percentage of total voters should be very low. Close to 20% or even less many places, if it is more than it is pre-ticked for NRM candidates as that is the Modus Operandi of the NRM-Regime.

I want to say I understand the people and their demonstrations is vital and viable as the world is following Uganda and the people know about the non-sense re-election of President Museveni. As the opposition continues to be under pressure and harassment as seen by Dr. Kizza Besigye; Seen yesterday in Mbarara and Ibanda; now also in Bushenyi where they arrested FDC mobilisers today. Since it is for the ruling party the access and reason for it is not necessary as the fear and intimidation is what the NRM lives on, and not on vote-ability or accountability for their actions. Peace.