International Criminal Court (ICC): Defence Team for Dominic Ongwen (16.12.2022)

Opinion: The assassination attempt on Gen. Wamala is a part of a bigger problem

Today in Bukoto, Gen. Katumba Wamala was close to get assassinated, while stray-bullets took the lives of his daughter Brenda and his driver. Those two died on the spot and the car was filled with bullet-holes. The assailants and the assassins had a clear plan and a target. It happened to be Gen. Wamala, who survived this plot today.

However, this isn’t something new in the Republic. There been other high ranking officials who has suddenly been killed by unknown assailants on boda-boda’s. Which happens to trace the target from their home or in their area. Than attack the car and leave the victim for dead. This isn’t anything new and seems to a way they can get away from it.

These extra judicial killings and murders are appearing is usually after a fall-out, a gambit behind close-doors and in manner of keeping the elite under control. So, that people doesn’t have to much ambition or even considers themselves as future leaders.

If not if these are generals that knows to much. These have to taken-out and be silenced. They know too much and they should be worried. These men was useful, but at one point the regime needs them gone. They can talk and reveal facts, which they shouldn’t or even think off.

That’s why high ranking officials or generals have died in the past. This is not new and the ones who believes that is wrong. There is enough questionable deaths in the Republic. Not only happening to the abducted, tortured and suddenly left behind dead National Unity Platform (NUP) activists, members and whatnot. That is happening to, but that is to intimidate and silence the opposition, which the state cannot control or absorb.

However, the General’s taken out. Have been done for all sorts of various of reasons. That being their knowledge, being outspoken or defying the orders from the high above. If not they have to be taken out, because the state has others in the rank who needs their place. God knows, but these men on the top doesn’t value life. Except for their own life and titles. The rest of the public and citizens is disposable. This included the ones appointed by the high above and showing die-hard loyalty to the crown. Still, that is never enough…

This assassination attempt … is just one out of plenty. The past and present is filled with death. The extra judicial killings isn’t a new thing and too many people have lost their lives over stray-bullets and bullets in general. Gangs of Boda-Boda’s doing this isn’t new either. We shouldn’t be shocked, but the regime needs a reality check.

Since they were near to complete another assassination. They were so close to get rid of one of their generals. They have done this to Gen. James Kazini, Gen. Aronda Nyakairima and Assistant Inspector of General of Police (AIGP) Andrew Kaweesi. That’s three from the top of my head and they were done with different methods, but still had questionable demise. So, it is not like this is anything new… and only a slow bloodshed served the general public. As a friendly reminder of who and what sort of regime that is ruling the Republic.

Expect more people to be targeted in the near future. A death never happens alone. It might be the assailants themselves going after each other to leave no witnesses behind. Secondly, they might target more high ranking officials, as the state is clearing the offices for new blood. That wouldn’t be shocking either. They don’t value life and can easily just get rid of the ones who stands in their way. Even if they are loyal and serving silently. Still, if they fear anything or want to have more finessing “yes-men” in the reigns. Than, they will silence them totally.

What happened to Gen. Wamala today is the sort of act that shouldn’t happen in the first place. However, with the ones in-charge, that’s what you get… and they could easily pull the trigger again. Nobody deserves to die this way, but the ones in-charge doesn’t care and only value their own heads. They don’t mind if others lose their strawberry tart or stops breathing. Peace.

Opinion: Twine defends extra-judicial killings [stray-bullets doesn’t count… apparently]

“Not all killings are offences. For a crime to be regarded as a crime you must establish the ingredient and the intention. A stray bullet does not amount to a crime. If I am targeting somebody for a justification, and the bullet hits a person who is not my target, that is not an offence” – CID Spokesperson Charles Twine (Tabu Butagira – ‘Govt probe report on November riots leaks’ 17.05.2021, Daily Monitor).

The Spokesperson for the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (CID) is saying this. Which is supposed to this: “The function of the Directorate is to ensure effective detection, investigation and prevention of crime”. The CID is supposed to detect, investigate and prevent crime. However, it is not supposed to mask over or skip over crimes.

The CID shouldn’t erase crimes and it should be accountable for the actions of others. That the CID spokesperson isn’t preventing crimes here. It is instead allowing crimes being done. Let me explain this below. First with important codes from the Penal Codes, which is enacted and is law of the land. Especially, with the ideals the spokesperson is putting forward.

“187. Manslaughter

(1)Any person who by an unlawful act or omission causes the death of another person commits the felony termed manslaughter.

(2)An unlawful omission is an omission amounting to culpable negligence to discharge a duty tending to the preservation of life or health, whether such omission is or is not accompanied by an intention to cause death or bodily harm.

188. Murder

Any person who of malice aforethought causes the death of another person by an unlawful act or omission commits murder” (Penal Code – Chapter XVIII, 15.06.1950).

We can easily see here what the Penal Code says about manslaughter and murder, which can be assessed to similar fashion of what the spokesperson is speaking off. He is calling “killings” not “offences” and I will disagree. That is degrading the laws and invalidating it.

The Penal Code is very clear… and that should be important the way forward. He speaks of intention. However, the law doesn’t have any sort of specifics or talk about motivation of the actor. The man behind the gun doesn’t need a motive or even a reason to do what he does. Since a person who causes death of another person commits manslaughter. That is the law and there is no say of intention. Just the result of the act done…. and the sudden demise of someone else. The death of somebody done with a action, which is seen as unlawful.

Therefore, there is no real talk of intention or target. The use of force, the bullet itself and that it kills is the main objective here. The person who does the “unlawful act” is the one in question. The person who kills and shoots the stray bullet. Not that they are targeting or having intentions. That is very clear. There is no middle ground or any sort of mechanism in law, which differs stray-bullets from other bullets. They are both bullets and use of force, which is an act that can be deemed “unlawful” and there be subject to manslaughter or murder charge. That is why the Penal Code says what it says.

It is tragic that the CID spokesperson doesn’t know the Penal Code, which have existent since 1950 and I do. That say more about him, than about me. A killer is a killer, no matter what his intention or act was as long as its fatal and causes the death of the person. Peace.

Zimbabwe: Kadzere, Hungwe & Mandevere – The Firm letter to Speaker of Parliament – “Re: Our Client Honourable Themba Muswa – Threats of Death and Personal Security by Honourable Dexter Nduna” (13.02.2019)

Opinion: Nduna MP, there is no honour among thieves…

“Don’t call me a thief, I am saying this for the last time, don’t call me a thief, I have people who I killed who I don’t even know,” – Dexter Nduna MP

I don’t know if Dexter Nduna, the Chegutu MP, the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) noble and representative said in Parliament, as there was a heated discussion on Monday, the 11^th of February 2019.

What is striking how easy it was for the man to say this, that he had killed. That he says he is responsible to taken lives, that he doesn’t even know. That means subjectively, that there are plenty of people, which he have killed without people knowing. Also, that he has gotten away with it too.

Also, should be said, is that MP in question is known for using violence as an election tactic. Meaning, he has fired shots during primary elections and sponsoring it for his cause, himself. Therefore, him saying he has killed someone or somebody. Might, even be an understatement, because who knows what he did during the election campaigns in 2008 and 2013. To be elected and get in office.

Therefore, who knows what he has done and sponsored on his road, in elections and in Chegutu constituency, as he boosted so strongly about on Monday. We can clearly, see and state, that there is more to follow and there should be an investigation.

Because, the man, has a problem with thieving, but not issues with murder. Nduna has at least not pulled off the perfect crime, because he cannot keep it tight. His lips are far from sealed, when he get into an intense argument. However, these words shows to what extent, that he does to get in power. To what extent he will go, to get his way.

It is chilling and cold-blooded. Just like when the President is deflecting and saying, he needs evidence for the sinister acts during the shutdown this year. We can see a party, who promotes and who has no scruples. They are a den of thieves, crooks and killers, who are congregating in the halls of power. Instead of sealed of cells and in secrecy.

What is clear, even as vicious and vindictive the man is, he is not the brightest. Because, these words that was said, was recorded and went viral. They opens up a can of worms and he to answer for those. We knows, that ZANU-PF shields their own, but for how long, when someone as toxic as this hangs around. Peace.

The Police Force enforcing a colonial law when they are: “allowed to kill”

Some days you wonder, you wonder why the authorities is doing what they are doing. When the stakeholders were in shock yesterday. The truth is by law to quell to riots and demonstrations are they lawfully allowed to quell by brutal means, as these laws was installed while still being a protectorate and no one has seemed to wanted to amend or repeal this part of the Penal Code Act, which by all means gives the Uganda Police Force. Possibilities beyond usual measures of arrests without warrants or even imposing the Public Order Management Act of 2010. This is an inherited law that the National Resistance Movement and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has no issues with keeping alive.

Statement UPF Statement with stakeholders:

““We have engagement rules, where we are supposed to use excessive force,” Mugenyi said. “That is why we have these. That is why I am armed and you are not. The state is allowed to kill.” “We can kill you and even compensate you,” Mugenyi went on as the stakeholders looked on in shock” (Joshua Nahamya – ‘The State Is Allowed to Kill – AIGP Mugenyi’ 10.10.2018 link: https://chimpreports.com/the-state-is-allowed-to-kill-aigp-mugenyi/).

As you see yesterday, the AIGP is sadly right, they have the rights to do so. This is shows the possible legal ramifications and the costs can easily be pushed on the private person attending the rally and resisting the law-enforcement. I wish it wasn’t like this, but they are allowed to do so, when they are quelling riots and demonstrations, as these laws was made to stop protests against the King and Commonwealth. These laws was not made to ensure civic rules or democratic values in the Republic. That is why they sound like this!

Penal Code Act of 1950 Chapter VII subsection 69:

“If upon the expiration of a reasonable time after the proclamation is made, or after the making of the proclamation has been prevented by force, twelve or more persons continue riotously assembled together, any person authorised to make the proclamation, or any police officer or any other person acting in aid of that person or police officer, may do all things necessary for dispersing the persons so continuing assembled or for apprehending them or any of them, and if any person makes resistance, may use all such force as is reasonably necessary for overcoming such resistance and shall not be liable in any criminal or civil proceeding for having, by the use of such force, caused harm or death to any person” (Penal Code of 1950).

Nevertheless, the brutality and the legality should still be in question, as this should be the last resort, not the first, not the second, but the final straw. When it is boiling over and no-control, before anarchy, however, the Uganda Police Force and Uganda People’s Defence Force are using these measures to easily and haven’t exhausted the different approaches even. As the person isn’t only supposed to be on the streets, but resist arrest to a certain degree, at which point the law-enforcement is not legally liable for the harm or death. That shows the brutality of the measure, which was enacted in 1950 and lingers until this day.

The NRM have surely not tried to discuss or even given a fig about the justification or reverse this law. AS that hasn’t been in their interests, as they wanted the same possibilities to silence the opposition and their demonstrations. That is clearly been the outcome. The NRM didn’t change this, because of their will-power to control and silence opposition. If they had democratic values, they would have amended this or repealed this sub-section of the Penal Code. However, they prefer being colonial masters to their citizens, than treating them as fellow citizens, but subjects underneath their demi-god Museveni. Peace.

My letter to our predecessors: “I am so sorry for the world we left behind”

Aleppo, Syria

20^th May, Oslo.

Dear deceased and no longer living!

I am sorry for the world that befallen on you. That we the current living beings are not taking care of the world you left behind. That we in our egoistic and narrow minded spirit is continuing warfare, killings, looting and starving each other.

I am really sorry, that none of our leaders has learned from the past, which you try to teach us better. That the history and lessons we had by you, didn’t bear fruits. That we didn’t learn from the theories and the books of wisdom you left behind. I am so sorry, that your labor and dedication for a better future is dwindling away in rot and destruction.

I am sorry, that the world is a dangerous place, even as you tried to make it peaceful, that you tried within your means, to put forward mechanisms and organizations to keep us safe. That your negotiations and agreements, was made to secure borders and secure rights for all human beings. Instead we are ignorant of these facts and instead building drones to kill civilians. I am so sorry for that. We should have known better.

I am sorry that we have given all this powers to the corporations, made them legal bodies that operates in fashions and ways, that resemble slavery and also creates opportunities to extort nations. These corporations we have given power, to settle tax-scores and agreements that benefit the businesses, but not the governments nor the work-force, especially not the consumer in the long-run. We are accepting this theft for cheap products, but don’t think of the material cost nor the price of the labor of these fellow brothers and sisters. Which is countering the fight the previous generations did to secure a fair-pay and rights as workers in the industries and wherever you work. I am sorry, that we let this happen.

I am sorry, that we are not taking care of our planet, that we are filling it with plastic or any sort of garbage. We are floating it in the sea and we are destroying our forests, jungles, fjords and our soil in general. We are destroying our earth, we are worsening the climate change, the glaciers are melting, while we are drilling for more oil and gas. We are securing more coal and more uranium, while we are not sure of securing the damage after nuclear disasters, we already have had.

I am sorry for the next generation after us, that has to take care of this earth, that has to live in this environment, that has these political challenges, that has to rebuild these nations and republics. That has to find solutions to the trouble we left behind. I am sorry to you as well.

We should have known better, but we didn’t, I am sorry, we should have used the knowledge and wisdom of our predecessors, we should have used their time and opened our ears. Instead of piling up guns, drilling after oil and hoping that tomorrow never comes. That is how it seems. We didn’t think, we just let it go and never questioned the powers and the ones in top positions. So they could do something to stop conflict and stop the deaths of innocent civilians. We should have known better, but we continue like nothing.

I am sorry, we should have been better with what you left behind, but we didn’t, I hope when we meet again. That you forgive us and see that we should have taken your knowledge to heart and changed our ways. Not thinking about the next news-cycle, the next week, but been thinking about what leaves a mark for the next generation.

Sincerely yours…

The Writer of Minbane

UPDF Press Statement on Boda Boda 2010 (29.01.2018)

UPDF: “Arrest of Murder Suspects” (21.01.2018)

Opinion: Should we be worried about the power-struggle between IGP Kayihura and CMI’s Gen. Tumukunde?

We can think of the recent days as a visible power struggle between two loyalist to the Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. This weekend has filled with stories and captures of the men and woman behind the Boda Boda 2010 syndicate. A Syndicate and organization who has followed orders of the Inspector General of Police Edward Kale Kayihura. He has supported them and used their services. That is why the leadership of Abdallah Kitatta felt safe, not only as a NRM Chairman of the Lubaga (Rubaga) Division in Kampala. So he had connections to power.

Still that power was not enough the visible actions, the violence it followed has been questioned and people have struggled to believe the reason for having outlaws running the law. That was sanctioned from the IGP. Now, this weekend its enough for some reason. Chief of Military Intelligence and General Henry Tumukunde have now gone in and settled the case with the Boda Boda 2010. Kiatta has even been interviewed after the arrest by Intelligence Security Organization (ISO), therefore, the organization supported by Kayihura is now publicly dismantled.

If this is sanctioned by the State House, then Kayihura should really worry. As well as all the men and woman who is Crime Preventers too. They might be the next group that the state is dismantling through arrests and investigations. Because, this has all been useful tools of the Police Force to quell demonstrations and rallies. Both, has been used for that and the NRM could need to save the costs of having them. Instead of using political means, they could use CMI and ISO to silence them.

Gen. Tumukunde are now using his power to silence the extra organizations of Kayihura. This is happening in broad daylight and Kayihura cannot do anything about it. The men and woman of Boda Boda 2010 that has been used to enforce orders from Kayihura is now going away. We can just wonder if the CMI or the Police Force who knows who really killed Andrew Kaweesi or the one behind the murders of innocent woman in Entebbe last year. Since none of the murders has been solved, they are just a left stain on the Security Forces.

We know now that Boda Boda 2010 has killed for cars and equipment by the released information during this week. Who know what else crimes that has been sanctioned by this criminal syndicate. It is far from criminals to police officers, that is maybe a reason why the courts are extra botched. They cannot see the difference between criminals and the police. That isn’t a sign of hope or of peaceful society. That is destroyed security organization, that has to use military enforcement to stop criminals.

Gen. Tumukunde might win support over this and also shows his strength towards a man he despises. That is known and there been criticism of each other in public, with spats in the papers and even on TV between the men. It is well-known. These men has disputed and also questioned each others methods. Tumukunde is using his good standing with Sarah Kagingo, the NRM spokesperson of some sort, who owns the Soft Power Communications LLC and the Softpower.ug, to spread the positive message of the arrests and actions of Tumukunde. Just check the track-record, the friendliness of Softpower to it all is staggering.

We can know that these sort of stories will make the actions of Tumukunde sound like masterpieces of intelligence, even if the CMI and ISO are doing this as retribution for something Kayihura has either said or done. Because the Boda Boda 2010 was not an for Tumukunde in 2016 or 2017. But suddenly became so in 2018. We know that this is a sign of power-struggle between the two leaders under Museveni.

We will follow this and we should worry if this escalates, if Kayihura will try to take allies and leaders close to Tumukunde for something criminal. Even establish sort of monitoring over his men like he did to Besigye. We never know. Kayihura is surely blocked and under fire. As his supportive group has been taken down by the military and their operatives. Peace.