Museveni pledges roads contstuction again for Kotido: Done so since 1998!

Well, someone has to, because it is not like Chimp Reports or Soft Power going to question his word, neither New Vision, maybe the Observer or Daily Monitor. But a very selective group of media will question President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni as quickly as he deserves. Because he speaks filthy and lack of truth at a pace it is hard to follow. Especially with the steady phase of By-Elections and new district elections that is happening these days. He is being their to boost the National Resistance Movement (NRM) hand-picked candidates, but in the midst of that, some of the common lies are coming.

Here is small piece of what he said in Kotido:

The government has tarmacked the road to Moroto town. We have begun discussions with some companies on the possibility of constructing a road from Karamoja to Ethiopia. We shall continue studying the idea to see its viability” (…) “When I come to these rallies, it is because I want you to understand that the NRM is the party with a concrete plan for Uganda and we have a history of proof that we deliver on what we promise. It is therefore important that you support a tried and tested party. About cohesion in the party, I want you to know that we are like a football team. While some players are on the pitch, others are on the reserve bench. If the ones on the pitch don’t play well, we shall get the substitutes at the next match. We must have this discipline” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in Kotido Muncipality on the 22nd July 2018).

It is special that Museveni speaks about keeping its promises, every season it is recycling promises and pledges. He did it here too, making new roads and new development projects. Surely, he has promised the Karamoja everything between the Sun and the dusty dirt itself. The NRM have come with empty promises since 1986. The 10 point program is a forgotten tale, but not much of that is kept.

Neither can be said about the promises given during the campaign before the General Election 2016 or 2011. There are so many promises given by this party, it is hard to follow. In 2015 he promised to build the same road as today, but extend it to Ethiopia. Just to pitch it an inch different than in the past. Proving his selfish self I suppose. When he traveled here in 1998 even on a national tour, the people were preparing for road construction promises, that meaning he has been doing it 20 years. Promising the same old roads to the Karamoja people. That is so rich of him.

So, he is promising and saying he is keeping his promises. However, if you test those promises. You can see they are not holding water. That is why it is tiring to prove it. But someone has too. Peace.

Lest We Forget: The Mukura Massacre in Teso Region on the 11th July 1989

Mukura is in Kumi District which is in Teso and Teso is in the North-East which Museveni told the diplomats as having been pacified. Why was it that some three hundred young men were imprisoned and locked by the NRA in Railway wagons at Mukura, a pacified area, and then MASSACRED by setting fire under the wagons! The answer can only be that the destruction of the foodstuff of millions of people, the destruction of their homes, the MASSACRES of some three million people and at Mukura were all a deliberate policy to depopulate Uganda so as to provide land for foreigners to farm” (Dr. Milton Obote – ‘THE MUKURA MASSACRE’ 07.07.1999).

This here is a sad story of something that happen early in the National Resistance Movement regime, this was just three years into the NRM regime and after the coup of 1986. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and his rebels was “new” in office. Still, this crimes shall not be forgotten, as the innocent lives taken. Should always be a stain on the legacy of the regime. Which never really have taken account or responsibility. The President shows up with military fatigue after the NRA have killed the locals. It is just wrong and doesn’t show any redeeming factor, but showing force instead of humility and willingness to lead.

Even at this point, he had to spring out fear, instead of building the republic. The same he does to this day, as he can have a budget speech in the military fatigue. It is not to long ago since the killings and massacres of Kasese, this here is just an older tale of the murders that is rightfully pinned on Museveni. As he and his Bush-War Generals haven’t taken accountability for.

The Preparation for the Massacre:

After setting up their detach at Okungulo Railway Station, soldiers of the Pili-Pili battalion embarked on an operation to round up suspected rebels and rebel collaborators. The operation was planned to cover villages and parishes in the sub counties of Kapir, Mukura and Ngora (all located in Ngora county) in which rebels were believed to be hiding. The date chosen for the main operation was July 8, 1989. According to survivors and other eyewitnesses, the operation by the Pili-Pili battalion of the NRA started a few days prior to the massacre with the arrival of many soldiers to back up those already stationed at Okungulo Railway Station in Mukura trading centre. The soldiers were then divided up into several units and sent to different locations to begin rounding up suspected rebel collaborators” (JRP Field Note XII, March 2011 – ‘The Mukura Massacre of 1989’ P: 7-8).

The Massacre itself:

This paradox of double standard was captured by a reader in a recent letter to the New Vision comparing the action taken against the Inspector General of the Police and his deputy on account of a shooting incident at the Makerere University campus and the notorious “Mukura Massacre” where over 60 innocent and defenseless people were suffocated to death in a train cabin by officers and men of the NRA. We quote from the letter in extenso:” Even more seriously, 69 youths were suffocated to death in train wagons by some NRA solders in Kumi in 1989. More recently some civilians were reportedly burnt to death in a hut in Serere, while others were clubbed to death near Soroti, allegedly by some NRA soldiers. These naked atrocities have practically been swept under the carpet by the authorities. But the Army Chief of Staff did not lose his job because of what his soldiers, who were miles away from him at the time, did. Are these not double standards?” (New Vision, January 3, 1991 :5). It is also useful to remember that none of the soldiers involved in the Mukura incident were arrested, as were those at Makerere. This then is the concrete reality of Uganda today” (OLOKA-ONYANGO, Joe – ‘Governance, Democracy and Development in Uganda Today: A Socio-Legal Examination’ 1992, P: 102-103, Kyoto University).

President Museveni false apologies:

President Yoweri Museveni visited Mukura a few months after the massacre. Eyewitnesses testified that he addressed the crowd in full military fatigues. He apologized for what had happened and promised a decent burial for the dead plus compensation for the families of the people who had died. He also promised to construct a secondary school in memory of the victims and promised accountability for the soldiers who perpetrated the massacre. According to respondents: He addressed the people at a rally. He was dressed in his military attire. He apologised and said the Government was prepared and ready to give the dead a decent burial. … then he said action would be taken against those who [committed the massacre] and that decent burials for the dead would be organized. He promised compensation for the families [of the dead] and asked our MP [for Kumi], Fiona Egunyu, to follow up the issue” (…) “It appears, however, that the President’s apologies, on both occasions, were not well received by the people. As one of the survivors remarked: The President’s apology was just to appease us, but it was not from the bottom of his heart. This is a man who came with armoured vehicles, a full uniform [of army fatigues] and started talking to us civilians. What could a civilian say in return? We kept quiet throughout. He came in that military attire with his [bodyguards]. So psychologically the civilians kept quiet, and then he started talking and said that “I am sorry for this.” But people just kept quiet. And when he promised compensation for the victims some people faintly clapped, but nobody knew what was going on in the civilians’ hearts and whether they had really accepted that apology. And then he drove off. That was when people began to murmur among each other and that meant there was already a discontent” (JRP Field Note XII, March 2011 – ‘The Mukura Massacre of 1989’, P: 13, 17).

All of these words is signs that this massacre should not be forgotten, as the people who was killed innocently deserves justice. They don’t deserve to be pawns used by Museveni in Campaign Rallies. They deserve that the relatives and the people of Teso/Kumi get what is righteous.

This actions will not be forgotten, the people will remember what Museveni’s troops did in 1989. How they rounded up civilians, claiming to be rebels and killing them in rail-wagons. This shall not be forgotten, also that the President visiting the area came as General and not as a man of Peace. He came for battle and not to damage the hurt. Just came because he had to, but not because he wanted to. Museveni knew what his soldiers did on his command. They did act with impunity and killed the innocent. The President should answer for the battalion attack in 1989 in Kumi District of Teso Region.

These actions done by the NRA deserves to be remembered. Not because it is an event of grandeur or betterment of the Republic. But because it shows the ill-intent of the NRM. This here show the ills of this government and how it will not be accountable for its crimes against humanity.

The ones ordering it, the ones who has been apart of it should answer for it and the leadership today. Should also answer for it, as they are repeating it. They did it recently in Kasese, who knows if they will do it again. Just to answer the public, because they can and the people will not have the power or will to answer back. Peace.

The EU is so forgetful: Forgetting the sentiment of Museveni concerning the ICC!

ICC is a bunch of useless people” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on the 12th May 2016.

It is like certain leaders doesn’t learn from their behavior and attitude. At the same moment, they are forgetting the sentiment and what that been said in the past. A man or a President like Museveni has said anything between the moon and Lake Albert. However, the European Union doesn’t need to condemn this activity, they need to show force and show character. The statement made by them yesterday concerning the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the non-arrest of Sudanese President Al-Bashir. Instead of being released could have been scrapped. They should have known that he doesn’t care about the ICC.

First show the statement made by EU, before more statement of how Museveni feels about the legal international entity. Look!

Based on the information we received, on 5-7 July President Omar Al-Bashir visited Djibouti and Uganda” (…) “The European Union and its Member States regret that Djibouti and Uganda, both States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), did not comply with their obligations under international law and as State Parties to the ICC and did not surrender President Al-Bashir to the Court.” (The European Council – ‘Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on President Al-Bashir’s visits to Djibouti and Uganda’ 09.07.2018).

Just as you seen the EU is regretting that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the President Museveni didn’t deliver President Al-Bashir after his visit in Entebbe for the Peace Summit for South Sudan there. The EU are clearly forgetful, because Museveni isn’t friendly to the ICC anymore.

At the Inauguration of Uhuru Kenyatta, the extract of the speech on the 9th April 2013:

Furthermore, I want to salute the Kenyan voters on one other issue – the rejection of the blackmail by the International Criminal Court (ICC) and those who seek to abuse this institution for their own agenda. I was one of those that supported the ICC because I abhor impunity. However, the usual opinionated and arrogant actors using their careless analysis have distorted the purpose of that institution. They are now using it to install leaders of their choice in Africa and eliminate the ones they do not like” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 09.03.2013).

On the 52nd Independence Day celebration speech at Kololo on the 10th October 2014:

For International Criminal Court to handle them as just legal matters, demonstrates their level of shallowness. My view is that, at the next summit, African countries should review their membership to the ICC treaty” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 10.10.2014).

At Televised Presidential Candidate Debate on the 14th February 2016, the President said this:

A founding signatory of the Rome Statute, on ICC: Yes we should be out of the ICC. ICC is not serious. It is partisan. There are so many people who should have been tried if they were serious. The way to go is to have our own African Criminal Court. Trying to work with ICC was a mistake” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 14.02.2016).

President Museveni have not liked the ICC in recent years. The President really despise the ICC now. He has not shown any concern or care for it. He call it a mistake and also that they are blackmailing the African Nations. That is why, the EU should have figured it out. If anyone is on the ICC list or wanted for arrest. It is not like Museveni will respect it, he hates the ICC and what it does. He has shown that.

The administrators and secretaries in Brussels should know this, they should have records, even remember that the Ambassadors of EU walked out on the inauguration ceremony in 2016. The statements from 2013 unto 2016 are alone telling the story. Certainly, he has the same sentiment in 2018. He is an old man, not a miracle worker.

President Museveni doesn’t give a fig about the ICC and what they say. Neither does he fear the EU, as they need him to keep the refugees from spawning to shores of Europe. So he can say what he like and not fear for retribution. The EU knows this and therefore, will not push Museveni to comply to the provisions of the ICC. He doesn’t have to fear it or respect it even. Al-Bashir is a friend of Museveni at this point. Peace.

Uganda Human Rights Commission – Re: Detention of Hon. Betty Bakireke Nambooze, MP. Mukono Muncipality (21.06.2018)

Opinion: Is Hon. Nambooze a terrorist? Since she is investigated as her condition is worsening!

Its been a week where the Democratic Party MP for Mukono Betty Nambooze has been charged and arrested for offensive communications in the case of deceased politician Abiriga. So since 13th June 2018, the troubles has been heavy for the Member of Parliament, she was even taken from her home and dispatched between police stations before she was supposed to be allowed on bond. However, she has been buried in cases.

Where she with her heart condition has not gotten the needed treatment, even seen enough doctors and be to the hospital. So her condition is deteriorating. Not that it matters to the law and the authorities. They don’t care if her body and mind is failing, if the sickness are creating more weakness for the MP. Because they are building a case and showing force.

So finally, yesterday, because what she wrote after Abiriga was assassinated. She has deserved treatment and if she had violated any law. It could be postponed until her health was better. That she would be normal and not bed-ridden in uncertainty like now. This is really showing the lack of understanding and needs of the citizen.

That on top of this, they are now ceasing her phones, tablets and computers to be used in investigation as per Court Order on the 20th June, as well as prolonging the investigation by 14 more days. That means the state will use in the first part of the discovery and to investigate the matter, a total of 22 days or a little over 3 weeks. This while her heart condition is making her life worse. That is punishment in itself and harming her.

The Police have even used Court Order to storm the Kirudu Hospital where she is bedridden to get the collect the evidence, as she was for over 48 hours in Police Stations. Before she was taken to the Hospital by the lawyers and also with help from the Uganda Human Rights Commission. Clearly, this shouldn’t be this hard and the state should be ashamed of how they are charging and investigating a fellow citizen.

It is like Nambooze is the biggest terrorist and the one that is the biggest threat to the state. With the acts of the Police, you would think that she was cousin of Kony and if she was the offspring of the ADF. Because that would make sense. However, common sense is that she is pinned and a picked victim of the failing insecurity in Uganda. They are pinning her and using her statements to show the people what is justice. Instead of actually considering her words, they are detaining and ready to suffer for her comments.

The state is ready to violate human beings and misuse their powers, that is the signal of the activity and oppression that the MP is going through. This will not bring Abiriga back and she is not the killer. There is someone out there laughing at this and thinking how foolish the Police are, as they are pinning offensive communications on someone as they please. Even Museveni has said much worse about random state subject since 14th June 2018. Therefore, the law is justified. Peace.

A Message to the UPF: You won’t solve Abiriga’s murder by arresting MPs!

I don’t know if this is the remedy, the Uganda Police Force has or the National Resistance Movement (NRM) have to secure their existence, because at some point of time. They just have to arrest some Members of Parliament on some fraudulent charges. This time it hon. Hassan Fungaroo Kaps, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) the Obangi County MP and also Betty Nambooze Bakireke, the Democratic Party (DP), the Mukono Municipality MP.

Today, the Police Force first took Nambooze from her home in Mukono, than she was put in Jinja Road Police Station before taken to Naggalama Police Station. Where she after a whole day was released. This after producing a statement and let out on bond until Friday, as the probe on Abiriga continues. That is because the Police says the MP has delivered “Offensive Communications”. Meaning, she said something profound online or in a broadcast. Which was insulting the intelligence of the NRM.

Certainly, the same must have been done by Fungaroo too. Both of them have to show up on Friday as the Police are investigating them. This is all a charade, where they are used as pawns to create chaos. Certainly, the UPF and UPDF don’t want people to look into the cover-ups and the sudden arrests surrounding Gen. Kale Kayihura, also the strange events around his airlift. Nothing seems like the statement the UPDF said. Neither, the changing narrative. They are doing that, as people are worked-up of the assassination of Abiriga.

Therefore, because these MP’s was speaking out, writing their heart out and actually taking a stand. The Police are shielding the state arresting them and trying to stop them from questioning the death of Abiriga. That is why the Uganda Communication Commission are also explaining how people should communicate about the investigation into Abiriga, because the state doesn’t like thinkers. The NRM Regime need loyal followers, everything else is sectarianism.

That is why this arrests and this threats against to MPs is just sad. They are used as tool from the state. Their arrests and their investigations into the words they said, won’t bear fruit and create any changes of the cause. This sort of investigation is more a public mirage, than actually making a difference. The investigation should be into the motorcycle killers and the leads from the murder-scene. Not if an MP wrote something on Facebook or talked on NTV. That is just nonsense and the world knows that.

What is saddest is that the state use these tools, instead of solving the murder. They are misusing the state resources on mirages on forgery and not on the initial investigation into who actually killed Abiriga. Because they are more preoccupied playing with these MPs and their lives. Using their time and spirit. This is not making the Republic better. Just hurting it instead and also the integrity of the Parliament. As again MPs are suddenly made criminals for speaking their mind. Peace.

Uganda Communications Commission: Warning Against Promotion of Hate Speech and Incitement to Violence (13.06.2018)

Uganda Police Force: Update on Hon. Ibrahim Yusuf Abiriga’s murder investigation (12.06.2018)

Uganda Law Society: Statement on Hon. Ibrahim Abiriga’s Murder and the Deteriorating Security Condition (11.06.2018)

Locals sings ‘Ale leleko’ on Abiriga’s return to Arua: The Army in return answered with bullets!

Ale leleko” – translated to “We don’t Want Yellow!”.

Today, the casket of Hon. Ibrahim Abiriga arrived to Arua Airfield and was ready for the citizens to have the public burial of their Member of Parliament. This is just mere days after the assassination of him. Therefore, the public was tense before his casket came there. The public is mourning and worried as their MP came home.

What was sad that the army sent 10 trucks of soldiers from Bondo Army Barracks, who where there to takeover Arua town before the ceremony. There is no redemption from this, as the burial became bloody. Not only destruction of plastic chairs. But the soldiers shot bullet into the air. That in a burial of an MP ended up in more dead. That is really just sad, that in Arua two more people is reported dead. Two more people died because of the burial of Abiriga.

The people of Arua chased away possibly Funeral Workers from Kampala who spoke Luganda. Also beat on Journalists. These was tense youth, who struggles with the death of their MP. They didn’t even want to see the Yellow Color and anything associated with it. There is reports that Abiriga’s relatives have seek refuge at the Arua Police Station.

As reported from Arua:

We the Arua people don’t move the bodies of our loved ones in cars,we carry them and walk wherever we have to go,it took them too long to realise,that van would reach the venue at midnight” (…) “He has always been a hero to Arua people, HATE is an understatement for what they feel for NRM, but Abiriga has always won the votes despite being NRM because he loved his people more than the money”.

This is sentiment from Arua itself. Not just some random person saying it. The mourners did take the casket out of the car. Because they wanted a walking procession, not a slow-downed drive to the funeral. The locals wanted to celebrate their hero and pay their respects properly. They are also tense, because the NRM would destroy the affair. There is also reports that the A-Persons Funeral Services got the other bodies taken away from them too. That is why the army and the violence appeared.

Yellow cars got burned, everything yellow burned in Arua. Motorcycles everything. The youth have really showed their anger and reacted to the affair.

They don’t want yellow now and is tired of it, as they didn’t take care of their representative.

So what we know after today’s violence. We can wonder if the Security and Army will act as swiftly tomorrow. As they went on rampage and the locals chased the police and journalists away. The affair went from celebrating their slain hero, into sad tragic event, no one worthy. The saddest part is that the public have even more people to mourn. As people got shot and killed by soldiers today.

This is a sad way of ending a life and the day before the burial. As the people wanted to celebrate the end of their MP’s life. Abiriga really got the people’s heart, more than we the outsider could understand.

Therefore – Ale leleko. Peace.