Opinion: The Luwero Triangle could pay the sacrifice for the bush-war, but it was forgotten afterwards…

“The Luwero triangle ministry has not had impact on livelihood of the people in the area, leaders in Luwero district have said. They said the ministry, which was meant to mitigate the effects of the war in the region, has created no impact so far” (New Vision – Impact of Luwero Triangle ministry isn’t visible, area leaders say’ 10.08.2021).

The Ministry of Luwero Triangle was established in 2001 and by the end of 2021 the Ministry hadn’t done anything. In a region and area, which is said to be the mystical place and origin of the rebellion. A rebellion that is the groundbreaking reason for the existence of the National Resistance Movement or the National Resistance Army (NRM/A). Therefore, the NRM is clearly forgetful about it’s origins.

Here is what is reported to have happened in the Luwero Triangle:

“However, it was the UNLA’s mass killings in the so-called Luwero Triangle, northwest of Kampala, which attracted most international attention. The triangle was formed by the convergence of the roads going north from Kampala to Bomba and Hoima. The Luwero area was chosen by the opposition guerrillas as a centre for operations against the government. Local people had resoundingly rejected Milton Obote ‘ s UPC in 1980 and there was undoubtedly considerable support for the guerrillas. The government’s response was brutal, not discriminating between the guerrillas who were elusive and not often captured and civilians, who were arbitrarily detained, tortured, raped and killed. Just how many died in the Luwero Triangle is ‘not known. The United States State Department estimated in 1984 that between 100,000 and 200,000 people had been killed. Certainly the population in that area declined dramatically under the Obote government although this was partly the result of the UNLA’s policy of forced removal of civilians population. On the rare occasions when it acknowledged that killings had occurred, the government implausibly blamed them on NRA guerrillas in captured army uniform. This was flatly contradicted by much eye-witness evidence. One of the best documented incidents took place at Namugongo, about 10 miles northeast of Kampala, in May 1984. Up to 100 unarmed civilians were killed, including the Reverend Godfrey Bazira, Principal of the Uganda Martyrs’ Theological College, and Sheik Yusuf Mollo, Imam of the nearby Kita mosque. UNLA soldiers entered the theological college, apparently searching for guerrillas. Staff and students were interrogated, fired at and beaten. Four individuals, including the Vice-Principal and another priest, were arrested. The four were held in military custody in Kampala and tortured before being transferred to police custody and released uncharged next day. The Reverend Godfrey Bazira was shot in the leg, beaten and taken away. When his body was discovered later, one eye was found to have been gouged out and there were other marks of torture and gunshot-wounds. Over the next two days many other people in Namugongo village and the surrounding area were beaten, tortured and killed by soldiers. Many women were raped. Anglican, Roman Catholic and Muslim religious ·places were desecrated and soldiers looted and destroyed property” (Amnesty International – Uganda – Human Rights Record, 1986-1989, March 1989).

You would think a war-torn region, which was the base of your rebellion would have gotten more after the liberation. Nevertheless, as the Ministry of the Luwero Triangle was established in 2001 and the war ended in 1986. The war continued in the Northern Uganda for many years to come, but in Luwero it ended with the hostile takeover of Kampala the same year. So, the NRA/M had its time and opportunity to make a difference there. However, it waited with a Minister 15 years and it’s been 36 years in power. After 35 years the people still couldn’t see any changes.

That says something about the NRM and how they haven’t supported the region, which gave it life and possibility to wage war. The NRM haven’t paid back to the ones that suffered the most. Still, the NRM boost on the daily about their magnificent record and how it fundamentally changed things. Alas, that is a lie. The NRM couldn’t even make a difference to the Luwero Triangle. That’s how disgraceful it is.

It only taken care of the NRA historicals and the ones who finalized deals with the rebel government in it’s early days. That’s why certain people are nearly automatically in the cabinet and has a plum-job. This is what is offered them and they will live lavish for life. While the families and the ones who was in war-zone for the whole bush-war hasn’t gotten anything substantial for it. That says something about the reigning party. Peace.

Opinion: Museveni will start his campaign with war stories

That the National Resistance Movement (NRM) is starting their Presidential Campaigns in Luweero says everything. This is to remember the Bush-War and the legacy it has left behind. Even if for most of the youths. That was isn’t relevant in 2020, but for the President and his allies it is the reason for their rule.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is starting there for a reason. Just like Lt. Gen. David Tinyefuza have explained the reason for the NRA choice of Luweero. They decided it as a base in the 1980s because of the close proximity and it was easily for rebels to be blended into the population. Therefore, the reason for its existence is it strategic position.

It is rich that he wants to be here, as there was by 1985 estimated that over 300,000 civilians died in the Luweero Triangle and most likely the numbers was much worse. That is why the choice of doing it here is very obnoxious. The NRM has done it before and even dropped ads on television and online with the skulls of Luweero.

While the NRA non-combatants of Luweero have never gotten what they were promised. Neither, has the local government gotten the recognition or the needed government services. The former councillors have complained to Radio Sapientia in June 2020. Therefore, the NRM has the audacity to celebrate it now and calling it’s it Mecca. Nevertheless, the NRM haven’t invested in the region or tried to pay back it’s sacrifice for the cause.

We know this is also a sore point of the NRA/NRM as Olara Otunnu asked for Inquiry and Investigation into the killings of civilians in the Luweero Triangle in 2010. Something the NRM dismissed, Gen. Tinye did that at the time as well.

Like Tinye stated in April 2010: “I counted 217 bodies of civilians who had been killed by Obote’s forces in Buhimba, Kasunga the and Busiisi in Hoima alone. The NRM didn’t kill its people and anybody making such remarks should stop” (Tinye, April 2010).

We know there was massive battle between both the NRA and the UNLA. It wasn’t a one-sided battle-zone. This is why, by most certainty that the NRA has caused fatalities of civilians during the Bush-War. To think otherwise is naive. That is the way of propaganda. Where only one party is doing evil, while the other is saints. Meanwhile the truth is in the middle. That both are killing in the midsts of war and in the cross-fire, civilian lives are lost.

If we believed differently, then it would be flying unicorns and spider-monkeys flying about to forget about the current reality we are living in.

The Luweero Triangle is significant for the NRM. Nevertheless, they should also take responsibility and not only cherish the sacrifice of the civilians there. As this could never be repaid and the tab is still open. Since, if it wasn’t for making that a base for the NRA. The Presidency and the NRM wouldn’t had the ability to take power in 1986. This is why the NRM should make the place special. Not only have ceremonies and some small tokens to a chosen few.

Even if this battles are less of relevant for the struggling youths and growing up generations of the Republic. The NRM needs to prove it was worth it. Since, the NRA is indebted to Luweero, which they have never cared about. After they took power, which was 34 years ago. It has only been symbolic gestures, but not shown true responsibility to the region.

This is why the choice of picking Luweero Triangle as the Campaign hot-spot and the start of Presidential Campaigns in 2021. Is to not only tell war-stories again. Try to earn more political capital by the loss of lives in 1980s. This is what is happening and the NRM needs to re-issue this. Because, their track-record in power isn’t that great. That is why it has to go back to the roots and continue to linger on the reasons, which isn’t relevant in 2020.

The trouble for the President isn’t to bring back history, but not repeating it. He is using power with force, ensuring he can reign supreme. Even when people are tired of his reign. The NRM is rigging elections like the ones they toppled. Therefore, the same reasons that was viable in 1980s is now relevant for the opposition and not the other way around. As the same sins that made sense for the NRA is now making sense for Bobi Wine’s and others. Which is why NRM is going back to its roots.

To prove for themselves that their liberation was just. Even when it wasn’t and only for a chosen few. So many are left behind and that has been deliberate. The NRM cannot run away from the legacy and the lack of progress after.

President Museveni can bash in glory, but that will only be for himself and the few NRA historicals, which is still in his sphere. However, the general public is under his iron-fist and lucky if they are getting a taste. That is the sad reality and shows the blatant disregard of the public. As the NRM thinks they can sell the same story again ahead of 2021. Peace.

NRM Primaries 2020: Byandala MP has finally lost (!) and his corrupt legacy…

In Luweero, the results for the National Resistance Movement Primaries are finally out. That the MP for Katikamu County North, who has represented in Parliament since 2006. This man has survived a lot and gotten away with it.

This man being Abraham Byandala… the people of Luweero is tired of this man. He has had three terms. He should be famous for getting away with the thieving of the monies supposed to go to building the Mukono-Katosi Road. A scandal he has gotten easily away from… he got acquitted, but still this will always linger on.

Not only that one, but this man has punched a journalist. Media activists wanted him tried for assault of the journalist.

As an MP and Minister, he used the time in office for shady deals. Both with Chinese contractors and ensuring riches for other cronies within the NRM Party. That is why there wasn’t only Mukono-Katosi Road Scandal, but also the NAMO-Scandal. A scandal where the UNRA was supposed to contract to build 4 bridges in Karamoja. However, all the monies ended up in the pockets of family members of Minister Lokeris in Rukiga. That is the sort of favours that has saved him, as he has made friends and therefore, gotten away with it.

In 2011 after he had to defend the budget of his Ministry to the Parliament Committee, a Parliament Committee he was part of in the previous term. He asked for more time, because he was trying to confuse the MPs and not explaining the documents delivered to the Committee. That shows that he was a useful pawn as an MP and did the bidding of others.

That is why its good that Byandala is done as MP. That he lost in Luweero. He used his time to scams and scandals. Enriching himself and the ones around him. Using the Ministry and his position to help himself. He didn’t do it for the betterment of the Republic.

What is worse is that it didn’t cost him. Yes, his synonymous with some road scandals, but he got away with it. The usage of UNRA and Road Development to get funds. That says it all.

Byandala had no problem doing that. So, nobody should be sad his not in office on the fourth term. The loss yesterday proves people was tired of his ways. He couldn’t survive forever.

The man should answer for his corrupt behaviour, Just that two scandals created headlines. We can wonder what else he did or knew about, but didn’t leak out. As I doubt these two was the only ones in the years in office. When you can do it at this scale. There are someone who knew and others who pocketed funds this way. That’s why Dot Services is a thing and other sketchy companies getting road contracts. This is known… and was a thing Byandala did too.

So, Byandala has now fallen and it was about time. Peace.

Ministerial Statementon to Parliament in respect of murder by shooting of ASP Muhammad Kirumira and Mbabazi Resty Alias Nalinya (13.09.2018)

Museveni inspired by Treebeard: Spoke for three hours and made little sense!

“War, yes. It affects us all, tree, root and twig. But you must understand, young Hobbit, it takes a long time to say anything in Old Entish. And we never say anything unless it is worth taking a long time to say” – Treebeard (Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers).

In the dire time of need, what do you need? Yes, a long speech, longer than long Hollywood movies, so long that you forget time or even thinking of fact-checking. There was time my mind wandered everywhere, other ones that is following events, surely fell asleep in midst of the two hour history lesson and before the genuine interesting parts of the meat came to display, before that it was all liver and all fats, no pork-chops to barbecue.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni have clearly, learned a few tricks from the books of Ents, the people who speak Entish and are living trees in the middle of middle earth. Because, he used his time and wasted many people’s Sunday. Awaiting some of sort of care or consideration of the stalemate and the problems of our time. Little of that really got into the mix, as the President spoke more of his own deception and hopes that people will not questions his quotes or blended facts.

“I never waste time finding out which pygmy is taller than the other one, which is a permanent occupation of some other actors; however, in terms of gauging Uganda’s recovery, it is not a useless yardstick” (Museveni, 09.09.2018).

This is just a proof of his vile ignorance and his words used during this statement, as he wanted to prove a point, at the same time he was mocking one tribe of the Republic. That shows how little sense this man has, as he cannot respect the pygmy people and their struggles, but instead mock them.

“Secondly, the indisciplined Opposition politicians that are accused of terrorism against the population, conspiracy to commit arson or treason should be handled firmly by all concerned – the Police, the Prosecution and the Courts. We should not allow these wrong doers to intimidate our people. Telling lies to foreigners will not help them because the facts are on the ground” (Musveni, 09.09.2018).

That he again accuse the opposition of being in conspiracy with foreign entities and powers, while also committing treason, show how he intend to destroy those elements, as they are a threat to his existence, as they are questioning his legitimacy and are also another force he cannot manipulate and control, like he does in-house within the National Resistance Movement (NRM). Where everyone are following him blindly and being Yes-Men as they need his support and meal-ticket to survive. That is why he is attacking them and issuing threats, as the Courts will ensure their demise.

“Therefore, Ugandans, this lengthy speech is to assure you that Uganda is on the ascent; nobody will bring it down, no matter how hard they try. We have very powerful internal forces that will combine to defeat the primitive fascists backed by external parasitic elements. We are in the process of tightening the weak points. Be calm and supportive. The rest we shall handle” (Museveni, 09.09.2018).

Just like the Ents, the Museveni had already spoken for long, when this quote came, as he continues ot pursuit the opposition and outside forces support of others. As he has to malign them and call them fascists, as he knows perfectly well, that they are not brown-shirts and oblivious to their intent. As he is just trying to picture them as something evil, to make himself look noble. While, not addressing these people with a humanizing way. Because they are primitive and parasites!

“There has been so much talk about the torture by the security forces of people like Hons: Bobi Wine and Zaake. This talk is in the media and in other non-Court fora. Yet, these are matters in the Courts of Law. The questions in the minds of those who love fairness are the following: “What if those allegations turn out to be false? How will the accusers, local and foreign, rectify the injustice they have done to the Security forces? If any one of them implied or said that where I commented on the Arua events since I was on the scene, I was telling lies, will I be entitled to damages? That will be good for my Party, the NRM. Some of the NGO money via the Opposition may, in the end, help to fund the NRM. Final question in this connection: “Do the Security Forces personnel have rights according to these “human rights” activists or are they to be assaulted, beaten, stoned or maligned with impunity?.” (Museveni, 09.09.2018).

Just as you thought it wouldn’t be worse, as he wouldn’t push this narrative into a darker timeline. He had to push it further, because he is not to blame and his orders of evil intent. Isn’t that bad, as the state actors acted with restraint torturing the Arua 33 and the MPs arrested at the Arua By-Election in Mid-August 2018. That is why this mess is like this and why he had this address, as the continued insecurity and the reactions to state sponsored violence are continuing. He is just trying to deflect it all and trying to make himself the victim, while his state nearly didn’t give the MPs and the other tortured victims their needed care. That is insulting.

Also, does the Security Force Command have the right to shoot and kill the driver the of Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, which you don’t even mention, because he is just mere victim of the evil opposition in your eyes, that your army and militias can attack to defend your honor. Because, your always the victim, even when everyone around are in dire straights and in the midst of violence. Your people still deserve credit and assurance, because the NRM and the ones you order around cannot act malicious. That is what your saying about the blatant disregard of people, as your SFC used bullets against civilians in Arua.

“Ugandans you liberated yourselves from tyranny and death. See the mass graves in the Luwero Triangle. We are the only ones that can guarantee our future. The way it was in the past, so it is today and so it shall in the future. We are the ones to guarantee our future working with friends that respect our sovereignty and our intelligence” (Museveni, 09.09.2018).

He had to 1986 people in the end, use the Bush-War as a metaphor and epistle to long Entish speech of his. Because the graves of the past, the graves of today, will be ruled by the same people, as those graves are memory of the ones lost, so that people like the Ents. As today, the latest victim of his rule had his funeral, the former high-ranking police officer Muhammed Kirumira. Therefore, it is so rich of him to end this way, as his rule started with the killings and deaths of others, and with time even more victims are piled up. Never ending story of tragedy for this one to rule.

Enough of the Ents, enough of this President who has the nerve and ways of brutally attack everyone else, but not take responsibility for the reality on the ground. That is what is striking. The pygmies should also raise up as they were insulted by their President. They should not accept to toyed around like that. Neither, should the rest of the Ugandans listening to this man, he has overstayed and continues to play with them, use intimidation and fear to control the public. Peace.

President Museveni’s statement on the Assassination of Kirumira is just insulting!

Shiish. I rather that he didn’t write the public today, in the morning after the assassination of the former District Police Commander Muhammed Kirumira, whose been trouble ever since talking about the internal struggles of the Police Force. His been in hot-water and his house was at some point raided and he was even sent to Police Tribunal for stepping down as a Police Officer. That shows to what extent the Police does to cover-up for their own at this point.

Therefore, when reading, thank the almighty God, the short condolences message from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Still, it is infuriating as the lack of governance and lack of security protocol feaster the Republic. While he had to state this in his message today:

“Condolences on the brutal killing of police officer Muhammad Kirumira at Bulenga. I visited the scene of crime at 23:00hrs. The criminals are still using the gaps I identified in my speech to Parliament. You remember the 20th June 2018 gaps? The Police Force are working hard to fill the gaps. They have started installing the cameras and other measures are being put in place. The electronic identification of boda bodas would have helped us to identify these people quickly. However, while still using the old methods, I want to salute the residents of Bulenga for, although not armed, some Boda Bodas gave chase to the killers- 4 of them riding on motorcycles – up to Mile 9” (Museveni, 09.09.2018).

He had to do this and say it in this way, where he is speaking about misgivings and not counter-acting to the problems at hand. The lack of security and how easy it is to get rid of targets and problems of ths state. That is why these extra judicial killings and assassinations persist. This on-going slaughter of people by unknown men, who has targets and who guns them down. Those people must be known, which training and background, as the BodaBoda 2010 and the others should be exposed, but these killers who has taken down people in the recent years have lingered, while innocent people have been portrayed as killers in stories in the media. While, new targets are getting shot and dies. That is why these sorts of media statements and messages from the President is worth nothing.

It doesn’t help that he even writes this:

“On the urban criminals, the sub- committee of security began meeting at 10:00hrs under my chairmanship and we are to stop these pigs by not just relying on the old police methods. Pending the installing of cameras etc everywhere, we are going to re-activate the Luweero methods to deal with these cowardly pigs. Wait for my announcement this afternoon” (Museveni, 09.09.2018).

Are you planning to kill more people, because you cannot really capture the real killers? Is that the method of Luweero, because the Luweero Triangle was a massive slaughter of innocent people and bush-war tactic of trying to starve the others out. Do you plan to do what you did to Obote and try to force the killers out, by killing their family members? What are you saying? Do you plan to ambush people without investigations or warrants, just sprint with guns and small militias hoping to capture the criminals? What is the initial plan with this?

You are calling them cowards, but intend to use violence against violence, continuing an evil circle, where more people will initially loose their lives. You are calling the killers pigs, just as you call your dissidents bad words these days, terrorists, fascists or bean-weevil for that matter.

By the way, your promise for installing CCTV Cameras are getting old, soon older than your hats and empty pledges. Instead of writing some heartfelt and concerning words for the deceased, you have targeted and promised bloodshed. Don’t you have a nerve or a heart, don’t you feel guilt and responsibility for the lack of actions and lack of concern?

That should bother the President, but it doesn’t as he has seen people die all his life, while he lingers on in power by any means. This is just another death and another assassination on his watch. It is like it doesn’t matter, as long as we all wait for his announcement later today. Peace.

Opinion: The EU is too late to the Party, when they are now asking for Electoral Reforms in Uganda!

It feels deliberate, that Eduardo Kukan dropped a statement on the 8^th March 2018 as the General Election in Uganda was in February 2016. That is two years after, this is the Follow-Up Mission to the Electoral Observation Mission, that is long finished and didn’t deliver anything of significance. The whole thing ended up being a charade and mockery of the principals the EU is supposed to stand for. The rigging, the spending and buying votes, the inside deals and pre-ticked ballots should all say that the re-election to a fifth official term and unofficially 7^th shouldn’t be legitimized by any entity. This is the same fellas that left Kololo, because the President’s stance on the ICC. Like they didn’t know?

So, we are in March 2018 and its two years and a month since the entered the port and all of the containers are left, all produce is eaten, all parts of the products is sold, stolen or gone. Therefore, there is very little to regard about the process. Very little the EU can do, because they are beholden to the man they validated. They validated the Supreme Court ruling, they validated the Mbabazi petition, they accepted the stolen votes from Besigye and the obvious lies of the Kiggundu Electoral Commission in favor of Museveni.

The EU should have pushed for the reforms in 1995-1996 if they we’re serious. While the President still looked like he cared a little bit and was a donor-friendly guy, now he despise anyone questioning him and his authority. He is always right, and the rest of you is wrong or can be bought. That is President Museveni now. They could have had a short in 2000-2001, even 2005-2006. Even as the term-limits was deposed at the time. When the true reality was that Museveni had no place of really retiring and spend time with his cows. The EU could have pushed for reforms in 2010-2011, even as the Walk to Work demonstrations (W2W) and the Activists 4 Change (A4C) who both challenged the Presidency. Clearly, the EU could have done more as an outside entity, if they cared about the Electoral Reforms.

So now, that the last election went through, the syncopates, the technocrats and cronies of Museveni is elected, appointed as advisors and whatnot. The EU is asking and begging for changes, since suddenly now is the time. Like Museveni would care about the plight of the Follow-Up Mission in 2018, when he just gotten his carrot in December 2017, the Life Presidency. Did the EU miss that charade? Did they sleep in Brussels and eating Belgian waffles? That is how it seems to me.

That the President that has centralized most of the power around him and his State House would now care about the EU, is to say bluntly naive. That the EU comes with recommendations now will not be listened too. Unless, they are dropping bunch of external funds and juicing the rabbit a little bit. Because Museveni is eating, his cronies is too and there is nothing you can tell him.

So when the EU stated this on the 8^th of March 2018, its not hard to understand, why it is like this: “ The EU EFM has been heartened to find that the recommendations of the EU EOM have been disseminated across several institutions of State and that many interlocutors were familiar with the content of the recommendations. While there has been virtually no progress on implementation of the recommendations to date, awareness of proposals, and the grounds thereof, is a crucial first step in the achievement of the recommendations. Similarly, there is widespread awareness of the directives of the Supreme Court” (Eduardo Kukan – ‘EU Election Follow-up Mission to Uganda urges Authorities to take positive steps to improve electoral process’ 08.03.2018).

Like did you think the man, that has been running since a coup in 1986 would give in and change to a more democratic structure, the one who house-arrest his biggest threat without any jurisdiction or right by laws? Do you think the man who has all the state coffers, has all the bidders at his feet, will finally give way to your advice? Do you think the man who has used the guns to silence opposition and does it will kind of acronyms too.

I hate to say it to you Kukan, but your late to the party. The party-goers have left, they have their whiskey, their Waragin, their vodka and their Nile Brew, but are not interested in your anecdotes. They would have mattered some time ago, when the fire was burning, when Usher and Radio & Weasel was banging on the stereo. But now, the party has died down, the only left is the straws and the memories of the late night charade.

Kukan, you should have acted swiftly, you should have cared about the implications, but your entity and others validated Museveni. Just like you have done in the past. You let him of the hook and this here, will be a stain, but not something that covers the obvious. The theft of February 2016. That you accepted and did for selfish reasons beyond me.

You could have, you should have, but you never did. Peace.

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)

The Calvary tried to block “My Life, My Land” Campaign rally in Semuto Town in Nakaseke District!

In Nakaseke District. The Uganda Police Force have been preoccupied with blocking meetings with Dr. Kizza Besigye and the Forum for Democratic Change, as their national campaigns continues. As this was happening when they we’re traveling to Semuto, where the Party and FDC leadership held rallies. While the Police Force and District Police Commander Justus Asiimwe were prepared with roadblocks around the town and also police officers in the town center. There we’re also Armored Personnel Carriers (APC). The Police did what they could do to block. But when he did enter the town and held the rally for “My land, My life” campaign.

Certainly, the FDC have been holding campaigns in Mubende and Luweero where they have recently met the same hostile Police Force, as they are all trying to silence and stop the gatherings. As the people shows up when the People’s President and his FDC comes to town.

Yesterday the AIGP Asan Kasingye issued this statement relating to the public meetings of the FDC: “We wish to appeal to the members of the public to desist from attending their unlawful assemblies and to ignore the messages of incitement and disobedience from the above members of the party” (Uganda Police Force, 05.05.2017).

So the Police Force are calling it an unlawful assembly in Nakaseke District, this will not be last place that the FDC and their campaign team will meet hostile security forces. This is because the Police Force has decided to silence and stop the opposition party from campaigning for their cause. This was written by Erias Lukwago: “I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the people of Nakaseke District for their firm stance and resilience in the face of brutality and mayhem unleashed by the Police in Ssemuto town this afternoon” (Erias Lukwago, 06.05.2017).

So the intimidation and harassment continues and the FDC are under-fire where they go, where the police are following, monitoring and blocking where Besigye goes. Instead of stopping violent crime and the insecurity that appears on this sort of activity.

While the Red Repper reported this:

“Police unleash all the might on Besigye in Luweero Triangle as criminals ravage the city and entire country. Three businessmen were murdered last week in Masaka. Hardware tycoon kidnapped and murdered in Bushenyi this week. Two more kidnappings were reported yesterday in Mbarara and Bushenyi districts. Two businessmen were in past three weeks shot dead in Makindye, a Kampala suburb” (Red Pepper Uganda, 06.05.2017).

So there are certainly mismanagement in the Police Force, they are more keen on being involved in politics, than actually fighting crime and solving them. Since there seem to be problems that the Police has to solve, but isn’t fit to carry out. The reports from Red Pepper is really worrying. Doesn’t seem like the Police are occupied with that, more with if the FDC are campaigning or having public meetings, which should be seen as misuse of the public resources. Peace.

Uganda: FDC Party Officially welcomes dialogue between the FDC and the NRM (31.03.2017)