GLCSMS Statement on Police brutality against Journalists (29.12.2020)

A memo to Gen. Museveni [one day you will answer for the dead]

General Yoweri Tibuhaburwa Kaguta Museveni.

One day you will answer for the dead during your rule. The ones dying in the early days of your reign. The ones dying by the National Resistance Army (NRA). The ones who you could have saved, if you built better government services. All of these lives, you will have to answer too. You we’re in-charge. All the lives taken and all the guns used to stay in power.

Every single lives counts. We are all equal under God. Under the same sky and coming into the world with nothing and leaving the world with nothing. We will answer for our sins. It is just a matter of time before you do.

If it is in Courts of men or Courts of the Gods. At some point you will answer for the dead, General Museveni. You will answer for all the unanswered death of men. The ones ordered by your mercenaries, soldiers, police officers and whatnot. Who on your orders killed, murdered and silenced someone on your words. If it was a former ally, enemy soldiers or collateral damage.

All of these you will answer for. The ones that has been buried in mass-graves. The ones that has been bury in the dark of the night. The ones who had no funerals and ones taken away from burning villages. All the spillage of blood, the suffering and families in tatters. The pain and suffering you have caused to families. Supported wars and been part-taking of assassinations. All of that you will answer for one day.

That one day is something I might never see. The verdict and the results, I will never get to see. No matter how many lives you touch during my life-time. How many lives you take to stay in office. In the end… you will answer for this.

General Museveni these deaths, these lives taken is your burden to carry. These souls and lives will be haunting you to eternity. It might seem like nothing now. However, when you meet the Gods and the Spirit of Eternity. You will answer to the ills of men and you we’re one of them. You have to answer for your decisions and reasons to this.

The people dying, the people deceased and the people killed. All of them will forever follow you General Museveni. All the lives from the skulls of Luweero to this day. The murders of all the various outfits you have had. All the citizens taken by stray-bullets and the ones you have murdered of high ranking officials. All of them will follow you. They are already haunting your dreams and creating nightmares.

General Museveni. This cannot last forever. You cannot kill and not answer for it. At one point you kill the one that sparks a revolution and that one will bring you down. You will be brought down and captured like a chicken thief. Mocked and humiliated in the street. Before they secure your demise. Nevertheless, that story is for another and only Gods knows how this all will end.

The only thing I know. Is that on judgement day. You will have to answer. If you don’t answer in this life. You will answer in the next. There will be repercussions and these lives will be answered. If it not by the Courts of Men, then by the Court of God. That is all up to the almighty, the one entity you cannot challenge or make your servant. Peace.

FDC Presidential Candidate Patrick Oboi Amuriat sprayed with an unknown chemical substance

FDC Presidential Candidate Patrick Oboi Amuriat admitted at Fastline medical center Bugiri after police reportedly sprayed unknown chemicals in his eyes” (91.2 Crooze FM, 28.12.2020).

In April 2011 the then FDC Presidential Candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye was temporary blinded by the authorities. As they sprayed him with unknown substances as he was planning more demonstrations against the state.

Now in December 28th 2020 the same happens to the now Presidential Candidate Patrick Oboi Amuriat as he was holding campaigns and traversing the republic between venues to hold rallies. Therefore, today is yet another attempt to thwart the opposition and one of the main opponents of Museveni.

Today is already a bleak day. As the authorities are not take any accountability for the brutality and fatalities that happen on their watch. They are blaming journalists for covering and participating as monitors over the campaigns.

Again, more blunt violence is happening. God knows what sort of chemical substance the police officer used on POA. That man should answer for the damages and suffering of POA. POA was deemed as a dangerous criminal, apparently before he was even tried in the courts. This is an act of vengeance.

It is tragic that the authorities have to repeat the sins of the past. That even more people have to go through the pain that Besigye had. This just shows that nothing changes, only the targets of the state. It used to be him, but now its them. That will not change unless there is a peaceful transition, which is something that is not in the interests of ruling regime.

They are willing to bury its children so that a old ruler can rule indefinitely. Peace.

National Associations of Broadcasters (NAB) letter to IGP Okoth-Ochola – The Continous Assault and Brutal Attacs on the Media by Security Forces (28.12.2020)

Opinion: UPDF says journalist shouldn’t report on the “wrong side”

But it takes two to tangle. If we all care to stick to professionalism, these unnecessary things will be minimized. You can’t have a State that is a threat to its citizens, and our position is clear. The State is there to mitigate internal and external threats. It gets hard when these are being implemented. If you mingle with a very volatile situation, it may be difficult to isolate the actors who are on the wrong side. Once you are a journalist, prove to us that you are exercising journalism. Professionalism will help all of us” – Chief Political Commissar UPDF, Henry Matsiko (28.12.2020).

What is a spectacle after yesterday that the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) or the National Army are now telling journalists and the media how to do their work. The ones that is supposed to defend them. Just like the President they are “enlightening” the crowds how they are supposed to work.

Matsiko is following the trend of former IGP Kale Kayihura who also had the skills to tell how others should operate or do their work. Kayihura could tell both journalists and opposition politicians how to work. Now he does the same.

However, Matsiko says its harder to know who is on the wrong side. We all know that is coded for “opposition”. To say anything else… is just rubbish. They are telling the journalists to be professional, while their operatives and soldiers are shooting bullets into crowds and hitting journalists in the head. That is really serious…

If the UPDF is afraid of threats. Shouldn’t they get help to investigate and look into the issues before they go into a situation like a warzone. When the Opposition have notified and sent letters to the authorities telling where they are campaigning and planning to go. So, it is not like the army doesn’t know where the NUP or FDC was planning to go. They have to get verified and allowed to continuing their campaigning in the Election Road Map.

The state knows this and the Army knows this. Especially a brother like Henry who happens to be the Chief Political Commissar. That man should know this and he knows perfectly well that there are journalists following and covering the convoys of the opposition. That was something Kayihura complained about too. So, the state knows this … and he cannot use professionalism. When the army is acting unprofessional and causing fatalities to unarmed civilians during campaign seasons.

That is what is infuriating here. If the soldiers, the authorities was professional. They wouldn’t kill or injure innocent civilians carrying around cameras and voice recorders. No, they would ensure their safety. Also, not hit people in the head as they are covering Bobi Wine’s campaign. Alas, that is too much to ask these days. It is the victims fault like always in the Republic. Victims are the ones to blame and not the trigger happy soldiers… Because, if these trigger happy folks was professional. Maybe they would have secured the territory and not gone after journalists. Peace.

Economic Freedom Fighters: EFF Statement on the Banning of Elections Campaigns (27.12.2020)

FDC Presidential Candidate Patrick Oboi Amuriat arrested in Jinja district…

4UPDATE: FDC presidential candidate Patrick Oboi Amuriat has been arrested in Buwenge town council as he headed to Jinja district from Kamuli” (Radio 4 – 103.3 FM, 27.12.2020).

As we speak the Police Force abducted Forum for Democratic Change Patrick Oboi Amuriat from his vehicle in Jinja district as he was campaigning.

The Police have been in the direct of Kampala, but for now we don’t know which way they are taking. Neither is there any knowledge of what caused this or what law his supposed to have violated. As he was taken brazenly from the campaign trail with no proper cause or warrant.

This unwarranted arrest of the FDC Presidential Candidate. Is yet another act of injustice during this campaign.

If he would enter some sort of Police Station before the night. That wouldn’t be shocking. Neither if he suddenly was detained at Nalufenya Police Station or anywhere else. However, that is just mere speculations as to God knows where they are taking him.

Nevertheless, the charade of elections continues and police brutality persists as the state is on overdrive to attack and assault its opposition. Peace.

Opinion: No way this election can be either free or fair…

I lack words today… just enough of the suffering. As yet another man dies on the roads to campaign. Yet more people are shot by the authorities in Masaka. As the 14th January 2021 is approaching. Like that is a final end of things.

These sort of actions. The abductions of political affiliates, the arbitrary arrests and extra judicial killings. The state is on full alert. Arresting and nailing the coffins on the ones associated with either the National Unity Platform (NUP) or the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).

Where activists, party leaders are going missing. Getting arrested like chicken thieves by law enforcement in the night. They are incommunicado and the news are breaking in the morning after. Since, suddenly these folks aren’t appearing or answering the calls like they used too.

This is the sort devious acts the government does. The usage of tear-gas, blocking and closing off public venues. The road-blocks, the arrests on the road and the live-bullets is bad enough. As the stray bullets are hitting civilians. Civilians are hurt by the state sponsored violence and the general public is tearing eyes as the pink tear-gas is appearing. This is happening again and again. A repetitive measure and the suffering continues.

If the National Resistance Movement (NRM) thinks this is cool. They are fools. They are allowing citizens to die on their watch. They are allowing citizens being deemed criminal before evidence and a fair trail ever happening. They are preventative arrests and usage of the power of the state to abduct and keep associated people hostage. This while they are neither getting justice or freedom. A freedom and liberty, a peace that the NRM claims the public has gotten under them.

However, doing this day and night ahead of the polls. Only shows the world one thing. That the President is a tyrant and a dictator. He got no back-bone to have real opposition. He cannot stomach a multi-party democracy. If he did, he would be happy that the NUP and FDC was campaigning and building up their parties. Alas, he rather destroy them with his military and his police.

While the President speaks of correct ideology. How can it be correct to use these means to silence critics? How can it be right to arrest people without warrants or evidence? How can it be right to use fatal force against civilians? You tell me, because I don’t have the answer.

This election is fraudulent and a charade even before the ballots are cast. These elections are marred with government sponsored violence and injustice. There is no justification to prolong the agony. The deaths and the injured says enough. The political prisoners and the issues of assembly. Says it all. Where the NRM can do whatever, while the others are tasting the brutal force of the state. They are coming in like the opposition are terrorists or serial killers. While the public are getting the blunt force right in their face. The authorities who are there to protect them are the ones that violates their space and their rights to gather and assemble. That is the tragedy here.

The President and his men can blame the victims, never take responsibility and call it “collateral damage”. Like they broke a glass at a pub during a brawl over who won the last game of Dominoes or something. However, the person who dies cannot be replicated like a glass. The person will not return, only the memory of what that person can linger in people’s heart. The death is the end of a life. That is why its tiring and exhausting knowing people dies over a campaign. Only to spread a political message and bring hope.

The NRM speaks highly of liberation from the past. However, these acts are like the past. The abduction, the arrests and usage of state to destroy the opposition. The amount of skulls, the amount of pain and suffering the NRM has caused. Will one day be tallied and be categorized. The day of reckoning and answering for its ills. Its injustice and impunity will one day happen. Even if it isn’t tomorrow.

Nevertheless, the 14th January 2021 is already set and the goal-post haven’t changed. The state is showing its insincerity and brutality. There is no way these elections will be free nor fair. That has been shown with this campaign. As Bobi Wine sleeps roadside in rural Uganda while awaiting a new day to campaign. That says it all.

These campaigns are rigged, the polls are rigged and the President is a bloodthirsty tyrant. If you don’t know, now you know. Peace.

Bobi Wine’s car shot at in Kyotera district

There has already been reported that the authorities have blocked Presidential Candidate Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine from accessing Kyotera town in Kyotera district. That is happening after he has campaigned in Rakai district earlier in the day.

So, as the authorities have blocked him. They have taken it further an flatten his wheels of his car. They actually shot at it again. This time as they we’re leaving Kifuuta village in Kyotera district. Clearly, the state is directly attacking him.

They have already done the same act in Jinja and Rwampara districts. Therefore, the state is really showing no signs of mercy. They are deliberately making it hard for Bobi Wine to campaign ahead of the 2021 polls. These actions are really stopping the NUP Presidential Candidate from doing job and speaking his message to the public.

They are always doing something that can thwart his work. This is another act of deviousness and shows the lack of tolerance for his campaign. When they have done this three times already. That says a lot. Peace.

Opinion: When Museveni stops, everyone else has to stop…

The EC has suspended campaign meetings in districts/cities categorised by Ministry of Health as having high spread of Covid19. From 26/12/20, no campaign meetings will be held in Mbarara, Kabarole, Luwero, Kasese, Masaka, Wakiso, Kabarole, Jinja, Kalungu, Kazo, Kampala & Tororo” (Paul Bukenya, 26.12.2020).

There is now reports that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is scheduled to finalize his ending of his campaign on the 30th December 2020 ahead of the January 14th 2021 Presidential Elections. It is therefore fitting that Electoral Commission cancel the abilities for all other candidates to campaign in several of opposition strongholds.

This is just areas where the President knows he lacks support and therefore, the opposition cannot campaign there. Even if the Electoral Commission lacks the mandate to do this. They haven’t issued “State of Emergency” neither has the President. The Parliament haven’t accepted it or even looked over the mandate to do so.

That they are doing this today 19 days ahead of the polls is really irregular and wrecking havoc. The President doesn’t care. He will bag this election with a rigged election and only going through the motions.

This here is really showing Kampala and Wakiso disregard. Just like the Electoral Commission and authorities did in the 2016 General Elections. They are continuing to do this and show repellent actions towards the citizens there. As they are undermined yet again. We are supposed to forget the vote delay and the postponement of polls in 2016?

Yes, the President and the Electoral Commission did that last time around. Yet, again in this election cycle they are doing things earlier. Just like they arrested Bobi Wine ahead of the polls already. Instead of house-arresting him to oblivion after the polls and not allowing him to vote. Just like they did to Besigye last time around.

This here is deliberately issuing and blocking the opposition from campaigning. Using COVID-19 or the Coronavirus as an excuse. This is all politicking and doing this stop the opposition. This is even breaching the Presidential Elections Act of 2000, which states:

21. Protection and immunity of candidates.

During the campaign period, every public officer and public authority and public institution shall give equal treatment to all candidates and their agents” (Presidential Act of 2000).

Not that the campaign period have given the opposition candidates the equal opportunity or the authorities have been fair during the campaign period. No, they hare been partisan and been blocking the opposition.

This is yet another move from the authorities to be unfair ahead of the polls. That its done in opposition strongholds isn’t surprising either. Just shows the state of affairs. The state and the President are just securing their bag, instead of the future.

President Museveni doesn’t care if the law enforcement is unfair and not giving equal opportunities to the opposition. That isn’t shocking… but just the mere reality. All the acts done by the authorities should be enough to challenge these elections in the courts. Though don’t expect favourable judgements, as these folks are appointed by the President and they are their to validate his reign. Peace.