“Uganda sacrificing civil liberties for the sake of stability” says US envoy (Youtube-Clip) & Ofwono Opondo responds!

“The United States Ambassador to Uganda has raised concern that government appears to be sacrificing the civil liberties of citizens rights at the altar of maintaining stability. Ambassador Deborah Malac who was addressing students from higher institutions of learning here in Kampala says the poor organization of the elections and detention of opposition politicians has dented Uganda’s democratic credentials. Herbert Zziwa has the details of that report” (NTV Uganda, 2016).

RESPONSE TO US AMBASSODOR MS. DEBORAH MALAC
7th April 2016

The Uganda Government notes and takes strong exception to the continued unfair criticisms about its elections and human rights records by the US Ambassador Ms. Deborah Malac. We would like to briefly respond as follows;
The U.S. Government sponsored an election observer team under the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy (EISD) in Africa, through the International Republican Institute (IRI) Washington D.C. This was led by former Zambian President Rupiah Banda, which issued a report giving credit to Uganda’s just concluded elections. We would like to advise Ambassador Deborah Malac to carefully read that report. Unless she is giving it a vote of no confidence, then she is at liberty to keep referring to and relying on the partisan and very shallow EU report.
lt is strange that Ambassador Malac doesn’t refer to the report her government commissioned. Secondly, she doesn’t acknowledge that late delivery of ballot materials was in only two out of 112 districts in Uganda. These were isolated incidents and indeed time was extended and all voters who wished to vote did cast their votes, and those votes were counted, tallied and added to final results.

Since the publication of the Uganda Presidential Election results, none of the observer groups has come with credible evidence to challenge the results posted by Electoral Commission. We therefore wish to ask them to either adduce evidence or keep their peace for good. Otherwise, we know that some groups in the US and EU, including diplomats accredited to Uganda, funded and are still funding opposition elements in Uganda to cause government change outside the constitutional framework but are disappointed this hasn’t been successful as yet.
The U.S., which uses raw power to project its influence and interests around the world, is the least competent to ask other nations for democratic accountability. Uganda’s democracy is progressing well and we are satisfied with both the pace and achievements registered so far.

Ofwono Opondo
Government Spokesperson

Dr. Kizza Besigye released from Bond from Naggalama P.S. for “Unlawful Procession” in Kampala today (05.04.2016)

Besigye Release on Bond 05.04.2016 P2

“Just released from Naggalama Police Station. I was Charged with Unlawful Procession! I left home with one vehicle and never disembarked” – Dr. Kizza Besigye

I have to ask; Where is Wangegeya Police Station, Mr. Officer? I think you guys arrest and detained wrong person as Dr. Col. Kiiza Besigye must be an interesting character! The same UPF Police Officer also wrote “Prossession” when tthe right word is “Procession” as Dr. Kizza Besigye is quoted with as well.  Well, what else can you expect from a Police Officer who clervly just follows orders and does not think for himself. As the Naggalama Police Station is an ordinary place for Dr. Kizza Besigye to spend his time in.  Must be weird for the Officer to write a bond as he is not used to either. IT wasn’t done during the routinly activities after the Presidential Elections. So why now ,Mr. Officer? With the current and adherent stay from hours during day eating dinner there and then going back to rest in home. Something Besigye did many days during the late February, but does this look like a organized procession?

FDC Besigye 05.04.2016

No, it doesn’t look like a planned event! But the NRM can’t help themselves.

Kampala NRM Celebration 31.03.2016 P1

This is an organized one right? Why wasn’t any of them in detained? Well, wait there where more people praying at Watoto;then in the streets of Kampala at this moment of celebrations for the NRM in Kampala. My bad Mr. Officer. Forgive this is the almighty N-R-M. No-Rescue-Me. Not-Repeat-Me. Nonsense-Raised-Me. And so on.

Dr. Kizza Besigye can show up in Wandegeya Police Station close to Makerere University. I am surely he will struggle to pass without making an illegal pocession through Central Kampala. As was the issue before the grand Election Day, but the NRM have forgotten that piece of intelligence together with their ability to write correctly.

I rest my case. Peace. 

FDC Supporters detained in Entebbe; while FDC Officials visits Besigye who is detained in Naggalama Police Station; FDC Supporters and Boda-Boda drivers beaten and detained at Naggalama P.S. as well!

Entebbe 05.04.2016 Clear cut

As the FDC Leader Dr. Kizza Besigye got detained the reaction sparked instantly in the FDC branch in Entebbe, where a group of FDC supporters went to walk-around the State House in silent demonstration against the oppression of their party.

This was not something the NRM-Regime could accept, this defying spirit and peaceful demonstration around the premises of state property, so the FDC supporters who was walking along the sides of State House, was finally taken by the Special Force Command and detained as well.

Naggalama Police Station 05.04.2016

Also later in the day the FDC Officials went to Naggalama Police Station in Mukono to visit the detained leader:

“Visiting The People’s president at Nagalama police station.I am with General Muntu, Hon Wafula, Hon Nandala, Hon Mwijukye, Pastor Ngabo e.t.c. The OC CID, DPC have all fled their offices” (Doreeen Nyajura, 2016).

Naggalama Police Station 05.04.2016 P2

There are more people there with him from the FDC, like  Susan Norma, Ingrid Turinawe and more where they are getting Past Ngabo to pray for Besigye!

Naggalama Police Station 05.04.2016 P3

More actions at the Naggalama Police Station:

“KB supporters terribly beaten and arrested here at Nagalama police station, the bodabodas that were transporting them have been arrested 2!” (Doreen Nyajura, 2016).

Also been said about actions there:

“Police are scared and firing bullets in Nagalama now. The people have had enough of the police criminality, we have to confront these goons. They have arrested even Mr. Ajuna the FDC candidate Fort Portal municipality as if he is a petty criminal” (Moses Atocon Atyeko, 2016)

There will come more, as it evolves and as the Government of Uganda, and the Police continues to stifle and undermined the opposition in Uganda. Peace. 

UPF Press Statement: The Police explain the reason for detaining Dr. Kizza Besigye before going to FDC HQ at Najjankumbi for Tuesday Prayer (05.04.2016)

Besigye Kasangati 05.04.2016

The Uganda Police Force has learnt that tomorrow 5th April, 2016, RTD. Col Dr. Kiiza Besigye will attend prayers at the FDC party Headquarters at Najanankumbi. The prayers shall be held within the enclosed party premises and this therefore does not violate the law.

What is of particular security concern however, is information that after the prayers RTD. Col Dr. Kiiza Besigye intends to drive in a procession from Najanankumbi through Clock Tower to Container Village which is one of the most highly populated areas in Kampala City.

The purpose of this statement therefore is to caution RTD. Col. Dr. Kiiza Besigye to desist from carrying out any procession tomorrow because he has not notified the police in time as required by the Public Order Management Act sec 4 (1) 5(1). Violation of this law calls for sanctions as provided by the Act.

The public is strongly advised to shun anyone who tries to involve them in any unlawful activity that is likely to disrupt safety and peace within the city and which could result into damage to lives and people’s properties.

The Uganda Police Force assures all Ugandans and in particular the business community in Kampala that all measures are in place to ensure public order as well as security for persons and properties.By Blanshe Musinguzi

ACP Namaye Polly

Deputy PRO

UPF

Besigye had planned to participate at the Prayers at the FDC HQ in Najjankumbi by the Calvary; As praying is a tool of ‘Evil’ for the NRM-Regime; Dr. Kizza Besigye detained before the prayer and taken from Kiira Road P.S. to Naggalama Police Station to be detained!

Besigye Kasangati 05.04.2016

Today the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) had yet another planned Tuesday Prayers at their headquarters all over the country. This is the continuation of the boycott that has been going on from the Political Party since the Announcement of the Result from the Electoral Commission and Eng. Dr. Badru Kiggundu. So today was the first day that Dr. Kizza Besigye has driven out of his home since he went to All Saints, when he was detained straight after Service.

Besigye 04.05.2016 P1

While at the FDC Headquarter the Police have sieged the building and discontinued the planned prayers. Journalist from the area has been whisked away as the Police do not want this to be reported in the spirit of the new Kampala Metropolitan Police chief Andrew Felix Kaweesi.

Besigye 04.05.2016 P2

FDC reported:

“Many are gathered at our HQ, waiting for Dr. Kizza Besigye to arrive. The police has stopped him from proceeding and journalists denied the right to do their work. Police is armed to the teeth, beating up people” (Forum for Democratic Change, 05.04.2016).

Besigye Car Towed Yusuf Lule Road 05.04.2016

FDC’s Presidential Candidate’s Dr. Besigye car was towed away by insecurity police. This is a photo taken by Besigye’s in the car .Now at Yusuf Lule road. Meanwhile the FDC prayer has been disrupted by the same Uganda police.

Najjankumbi 05.04.2016

Dr. Kizza Besigye while being towed:

“Scared regime!! We couldn’t be allowed to get to Fdc Hqs for prayers. Now being towed to… I don’t know where!”

As the day went ahead and the Prayer was stopped and the Police had stopped the FDC convoy at Kalerwe and they planned to drive over Mulago to Central Kampala and the FDC Headquarter. But the Police towed his car and detained Dr. Kizza Besigye at the Kiira Road Police Station.

Besigye Kiira Road P.S. 05.04.2016

MP-elect Francis Mwijuke statement:

“We were towed together with the president of the people Dr. Kizza Besigye and taken to Kiira rd police station. We were led to the DPCs office. Two minutes later we were asked to get out and board a police van. When we reached at the van UP 4860, only Dr. Was forced into the van and driven away. Meanwhile there was an van UP 4861 which police surrounded to confuse the journalists and the public. Later the journalists followed the second van and then we were release” (Francis Mwijuke, 05.04.2016).

FDC Najjakumbi 05.04.2016

Certain FDC Officials are now traversing to Kasangati, others plans to see at Naggalama Police Station where Dr. Kizza Besigye have been detained before. As the Uganda Police Force continues to display arrogance towards the opposition party and destroy their peaceful prayers. The final news is that Besigye is detained at Naggalama Police Station in Mukono.

FDC Besigye 05.04.2016

Kampala Police Spokesperson Onyango Said: “Besigye defied orders, charged at Wandegeya police station with participating in unlawful procession”.

Let me explain:

So for those who don’t know the coded langauge of the Uganda Police the people who turned up to finally see Dr. Kizza Besigye and followed him by their own will. Made a Procession that was not seeked for; as the Police Force need to award the Opposition Party and Opposition Officials for the planned activities that any other then NRM have to follow under the Public Order Management Act (POMA); who nicely been dubbed the Anti-Besigye-Act (ABA); so if Besigye to be allowed riding down to central Kampala and go to his office he has to file papers to allow his movement. If not the Police will through tear-gas, storm the Najjankumbi Headquarters of the FDC in the name of that draconian law!

Police 05.04.2016 Mukono

So as I expect and what we thought the Police would do when he entered out the home; Dr. Kizza Besigye would enter into pastures where he is well known in the Police Stations of Kiira and Naggalama, as the NRM-Regime keep him under surveillance and want to stop him from doing political work and drain his spirit. While he is strong keeps pushing the peaceful actions against the regime that uses tear-gas and preventative arrest of him and others to keep the opposition on leach. Peace.

On the orders of the sudden change of guards from the Calvary to leave the home of the People’s President in Kasangati; Let be clear the message of IGP Kayihura is not doing this out of goodwill; the Police leaves because Mzee thinks he is safe

Kayihura Mentoring Service

IGP Kale Kayihura: “We shall not allow Kizza Besigye to continue violating the law. We shall watch his conduct to ensure people and property aren’t in danger. We are extending a token of goodwill but we expect him to respect the law”. He also said: “he has instructed Kasangati Police Station DPC to withdraw deployment outside Dr Kizza Besigye’s home as they maintain close monitoring of his movements to ensure people’s safety”. He said this today at a Press Conference at Nguru, the Police Headquarters.

Daudi Mpaka Kasangati Court 18.03.2016

This was supposed to happen at the Kasangati Magistrate Court earlier today:

High Court judge Justice Elizabeth Kabanda is expected to rule on the matter in which the DPP is challenging Kasangati grade one magistrate’s decision of continuing with the hearing of Kizza Besigye’s case challenging unlawful incarceration at his home.

While that was supposed to happen this morning after over 40 days without charges or warrant the IGP Kayihura has ordered the Police to leave the property of Dr. Kizza Besiyge.

Kasangati 20.02.2016

Let’s be clear on the matter, it is not good-will, it happens the day after the petition and the “official” post-election period is over. Because now the judiciary and the Electoral Commission is scotch free by law. Therefore the “threat” of Dr. Kizza Besigye and his FDC is gone in the matter of the law and the Elections laws of the country.

IGP Kayihura says it is goodwill that they leave, be clear it is not and they have been squatting in an unlawful action against a presidential candidate and besieged his legal political party. Now it’s supposed to be ordered by him to the local District Police Commander James Kawalya of Kasangati. They have been there for 41 days!

How is it to violating the law to defy the regime who detain you without reason while preaching and executing orders who resists common sense, as the ruling party is following a Resistance Movement, but cannot handle Defiance; that must be a lie as the defying the matters is clearly resisting and being of resistance towards what was then an oppressive regime of Obote. They did their resistance against that and took power. So it is foolish to stumble over the rhetoric of defiance campaign as the defying of the regime who can’t stand by their unlawful actions and their draconian laws.

Kizza Besigye 23.02.2016

During the 41 days, twice the IGP Kayihura has gone out with statements and press releases and claimed he was not to be under house-arrest, but with the orders today he establishing precedence as they have closed his area and his movement. They have taken him lots of time to be detained at different Police Stations and sleeping at night in his home, before the Police-Van stopped coming in the mornings at his home.

The Police have detained people trying to visit him, not letting FDC officials getting to his home and conduct party meetings, they have roadblocks and even squatted at neighbors’ homes since the Police never established mobile-toilets to the Police-Officers who besieged his home.

So the whole ordeal is messed up and the UPF, IGP Kayihura and the NRM-Regime do this like amateurs and like fools. They whined-up the Electoral Process, the people who got ecstatic and think that there will be changes, but that is not the fate of the people, as the NRM-Regime had it all already decided for them.

They might leave him for now, but don’t be surprised if he leaves his compound that the monitoring of his movement will leave him the opportunity to yet again visit and be detained at Naggalama Police Station or Kiira Road Police Station, even if he is extra lucky get a arrested and taken to Kampala Central Police Station, he knows the cell of every station because of the special place in the heart of Mzee.

Kiira Road Police 15.02.2016 FDC

What they fear is that he can ignite the people and no matter how much the army or the Police try to control them, they cannot shut it down when it becomes like his Nomination rally in November 2015. So they have not kept him under house-arrest since mid-February out of good heart or of the best of the country, but for the best of the Executive and for him to dissolve the will of the people as the monument of the opposition have been under siege and not really had the freedom or liberty to be an ordinary human being.

So IGP Kayihura, you can stick your “Goodwill” up your blindly following the Executives behind and take that arrogant mentality somewhere it is fitting. Because you have told fairytales and told nonsense for so long that the goodwill you speak of, is not a true assessment; for the simple matter you have no charge or warrant, taken the freedom of a presidential candidate and taken it away with force and made his home a prison.

Also the blatant disregard done by the Kasangati Magistrate Court and the judges who has used Pro-Bono, Waiting days and then send the matter to the High Court without the judgement been done there either. Therefore the matter of illegal house-arrest was today been set to determine at the Court again. While the IGP Kayihura orders might inflict and gives “freedom” under “monitoring” Police proves that he is still seen as a “criminal” by the NRM-Regime. Because a free-man and ordinary citizen would not be monitored and followed by the security organization. That is something that IGP Kayihura and the NRM have totally forgotten. But hey they don’t believe in the will of their people, only of the one man with a vision; the old man with a hat who has the only vision that matters and the orders that IGP Kayihura follows blindly.

This also happen at Kasangati today!

As this has been said there been a meeting with Youth Leaders at the home of Kizza Besigye.

Kasangati 01.04.2016

Think that is enough. Peace.

MCC suspends United States Aid to the Tanzanian Gov. on the grounds of the recent Zanzibar election and a draconian law; while the US. Gov. and USAID have no troubles continuing to aide the Ugandan Gov. with their draconian laws and fraudulent election; Double Standard or just me?

Citizen Front Page March 2016

A strange action happened from an Agency that is a part of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). They have all of sudden suspended projects in Tanzania after both a so-called draconian law and the recent election on the Island of Zanzibar. Take a quick look!

“A US international development agency has suspended its partnership with Tanzania, citing flawed Zanzibar elections and the draconian Cybercrime Act. The move by the board of directors of Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) means that Tanzania will not be receiving an envisioned $472 million in funding for electricity projects” (…)”The US suspension-of-aid notification cites “arrests made during the elections” in Zanzibar as an indication of the Tanzania government having “engaged in a pattern of actions inconsistent with MCC’s eligibility criteria.” (…) “MCC’s model has a partner country’s commitment to democracy and free and fair elections at its core,” the directors’ statement said” (Kelley, 2016).

Why I will discuss this move and the motivation for it. Is because the USAID and MCC have not done anything after the recent election and all of the laws that have enhanced the powers of the Executive and possibility to move around the Parliament for the Government and certain ministries, therefore easily get funding and short-term loans from the Bank of Uganda without permission of the Parliament, Police laws that monitors the Opposition and controls them even more, also the well-known rigging of the General Election, Parliamentary Election and the Presidential Election in February and early March in 2016.

Zanzibar Election 2016

While the United Republic of Tanzania might have stepped on some toes and had issues during the Zanzibar elections, they have not been close to the systematical oppression the Police and Army have had in Uganda. And the USAID and their agencies have not acted upon it or reissue any of the aid initiatives or anything in the Republic of Uganda, but the United Republic of Tanzania get punished straight away for the similar actions. I wonder if the the Public Order Management Act of 2013 is sweeter and nicer; then the Cybercrime Act and that the Cybercrime act is the official Bad-Act of the Tanzanian Government in the opinion of the United States.

I also wonder if the Tanzanian Government had armies in the wars that the United States does not want to touch, not even with the filthy lying lips of Donald Trump. Because the Tanzanian could have oppressed their opposition, made draconian laws and laws who applies in ways that the ministries and the Executive does not need to take the decision through Parliament before acting. That is Uganda and they have no issues with the USAID and the MCC. Only UNRA have had issues with World Bank and the progression of the World Bank funded Infrastructure and road-building have been suspended because of embezzlement and bad management in the Uganda National Roads Authority; who due the diligence on the development projects. Still the Ugandan Government have had no trouble with the government funds and army exercises from the United States, even the American Fire-Helicopter training together with U.S. Army happened in a month time after the Election Day.

EC 22.02.2015 Guarded Heavy

The Double-Standard is too obvious, what is okay for the Ugandan Government is not apparently okay for the Tanzanian Government. That is openly displayed by the United States this time as well.

So I feel there is a theory behind the actions against the Tanzanian government and their actions during the Zanzibar elections, while the Ugandan could walk skootch free with some disregard of the actions in country, but nothing that affects the relationship between Uganda and the Americans. While today the Tanzanian has lost their extra funding for the Projects through the MCC and the USAID operational company. So there is a political factor behind this and the main factor in why the USAID and MCC suspends, but not do the same in Uganda.

UPDF Lira NRM 14.02.2016

The Tanzanian Government does not have army operations or have the close military relationship that Ugandan Government has at the moment. The American are even training in Uganda and the Ugandan army fights wars for them and are likely in the Peacekeepers missions together with buying and getting military equipment from the U.S. even if the Ugandan once in a while buys Anti-Riot Equipment from China and Military equipment from the Russian Federation. Still, the Ugandan has a clearer mission for the American Foreign Affairs and because of that a close ally of Uganda. Something the Tanzanian is not.

Police 29.02.2016 Kasangati

Therefore it is easy for the American Government to suspend and punish the Tanzanian. That is why the Ugandan Government have not gotten punished for their lax activity with the former M23 rebels and the allegations of them to be on the payroll of the State House of Uganda, even then the American Government does not questions or punish that behavior. But a few arrests on Zanzibar and the Tanzanian Government get slapped. This while many of the opposition officials have lingered in jail without charges, gone missing and even been in house-arrest for over 40 days in Uganda, without any consequences. That is the double-standard and makes President Museveni Teflon, because he is a necessity for their role in the area. I am not sure why the Americans does this and support him with only remarks in the United Nations and letting go of the European Union comments after the Presidential Elections in the country.

But we have all rights to question the reasons from the Americans as they are supposed to be a moral stature and moral authority; something they cannot be seen in this instance. The Double Moral is staggering. Uganda gets a pass, while Tanzania get suspended its aid. That is the case and cannot be hidden under a rug or be not blasted; especially when we know it happens in such a short time span and under the same administrations in all countries and board-rooms. There are no reasons why Tanzania gets the harsh treatment while the Ugandan walks away with no scratches on their arms. Peace.  

Reference:

Kelley, Keven J. – ‘US donor agency suspends $472m aid to Tanzania over Zanzibar elections’ (29.03.2016) link: http://www.nation.co.ke/news/africa/US-donor-agency-suspends-aid-to-Tanzania/-/1066/3138264/-/1144o38/-/index.html

Hon. Nasasira’s new curse-word: “and with the approval of Parliament”, as he wants to rewrite the Ugandan Communication Act of 2013 with the new amendment!

VPN 18.02.2016 P2

I will here go through the piece of the Communication Act of 2013 sub-section 93 Regulation, where the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MoICT), the man who is the sponsor behind the new amendment of the act in 2016, happens to be the Minister of ICT Hon. Eng John Nasasira, he is now repealing a sentence from the law; he is not rewriting the law in a big part or changing the whole law. He is just crossing over a sentence, but that sentence gives the Minister less power, as if he uses the Communications Act of 2013, he have together with the UCC go to Parliament to get it approved for using the act; That is the major fact! And Hon. Nasasira want to do as he please without questions, open accountable actions or with the consent of other people than himself, he want this to be like the Public Order Management Act or the Public Finance Management Act; where the Police or Ministry can go into the Bank of Uganda without having approval of the Parliament to use those laws, this is the same Hon. Nasasira wishes to do. Take a look!

UCC

The Communication Act of 2013:

“93. Regulations.

(1) The Minister may, after consultation with the Commission

and with the approval of Parliament, by statutory instrument, make

regulations for better carrying into effect the provisions of this Act

(2) Without prejudice to subsection (1) the Minister may make

regulations relating to—

(a)fees payable upon the grant or renewal of a licence”.

The new Uganda Communication Act Amendment of 2016 says this:

“1. Amendment of Act No. 1 of 2013.

The Ugandan Communication Act 2013 is amended in section 93 (1)

By the repealing of the words “and with the approval of Parliament”.

(I am just saying) If they do repeal it, since it is not yet voted in the amendment of the law.

Then it would be written like this:

“The Minister may, after consultation with the Commission, by statutory instrument, make regulations for better carrying into effect the provisions of this Act”. 

UCC 23.02.2016

Afterthought: 

That makes the simple matter that the Uganda Communication Committee can act without the approval of the Parliament and under regulation of the minister. That gives the minister the opportunity to act on his or her own without asking or questioned by the Parliament, that means that the powers of the minster is getting stronger, as the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, does not need the contact as the repeal of the law will give way to the Ministry of ICT.

The man behind the amendment is Hon. Eng John Nasasira he is the Minister of Information and Communication Technology (MoICT), so the man who support the amendment wants to give himself a bigger mandate without having to talk his arguments for using the Communication Act of 2013 can use with consent of the UCC, but does not need to get approval or tell anybody in Parliament! So the representative of the people and elected people does not have to power to question the MoICT and UCC for their actions, as the Ministry can on their own use the Act as they please, not according to the Parliament as a lawful provider and the custodian of the laws, as it is supposed to be.

So if you catch my drift the amendment will give more power the minister who oversees the law and the UCC, can use the act as they please, if they amend this amendment. The repeal of words gives the opportunity for the minister to use the extended law without questioning or accountability from the Parliament. So the Parliament should not accept this as this is a way of grabbing more power in a ministry and gives the minister more power. This is an example of draconian law where the minister eats the cake, control the cake and dispense the cake, without being questioned about how he share and show the cake. Hope you follow? Peace.

Reference:

The Ugandan Communication act 2013 – 18.01.2013

The Ugandan Communication (Amendment) Act 2016 – 11.03.2016

Opposition leader Besigye have been under house-arrest since Election Day; giving more legitimacy to his cause by every moment; while the government can’t give real reason for the continued arrest!

Road Block at Kasangati 22.02.2016

Today I am writing out of my mind, as the was reported that the MPs in Parliament wanted reasons for keeping Dr. Kizza Besigye under siege with the heavy police brigade in Kasangati, Wakiso District. Something they been up to since 18th February, not that he has not been house-arrested before, that has occurred before, just as the travels and detentions at Naggalama Police Station and Kiira Road Police Station, is seemingly normal for the Presidential Candidate. And for a Presidential Candidate the close relationship with the men of law should not be there.

In his defense he is a politician, an opposition leader and the ghost of democratic leadership in Uganda, which is big thing for the men of law in Uganda. As the Police is a useful tool of the NRM-Regime and their tireless behavior to discredit the opposition. As they have created laws to get legitimacy for their actions as they have done tirelessly for attempting to stop opposition parties from organizing themselves. This done by the most biased law ever Public Order Management Act (POMA), IGP Kale Kayihura, CP Fred Enaga and all other Police Officers knows this law better then receipt’s for G-Nut sauces.

The continuation of the House-Arrest that lasted since mid-February without any charges or warrants, other than the preventative-arrest because if he is released; the country will go into chaos and contagious violence of near Armageddon proportion. As he does not have a tank, mambas, army and militias ready to re-create the massacre of Luweero again, the issue with that is that he is a peaceful politician with peaceful agenda, also talking about a peaceful transition and government that supposed to be accountable and the be transparent. While the ruling regime uses the army to suppress the people, police-force to detain people before trial and without charges, police-force who takes and detain people human rights activists and so. So the NRM-Regime and the government institutions are the ones who use the laws and order to keep everybody under their oppressive regime, while the NRM can do as they please and the opposition get detained or arrested for trying to their political work. Because the NRM has the Executive and he runs the place, so the other just should just kneel to throne.

M7 2016 Post Interview quote

Well, that is not a representative government right now. That is why the public is morning. Many might not be able to home today, because they couldn’t afford not to lose their jobs or would risk it by staying home. But the boycott can be important as the public performance of the black clothes or blue clothes as a sign of solidarity. But this here is not about that, still it is important to look at. This is a reaction to the unfree and house-arrested Dr. Kizza Besigye.

He has been house-arrested since 18th February, even been back and fourth since the 15th February, when he tried to get to have a Makerere rally and was taken back from Wandegeya roundabout. Then detained and then taken home. So he has only been really out of his home, when he went to All Saints for service, he has not voted in the local elections and been a citizen for the last 22 days, or even more. As the times he has tried to go out even to shop he has been arrested and detained at Naggalama Police Station. Before the Police took him home for more house-arrest, as that is their business at the moment.

This endless house-arrest is a meager display and arrogance of the ruling party, the Executive and the security forces who is in his hands. Besigye is under house-arrest for one simple reason: Legitimacy. The word who kills Museveni right now. No matter how the court case is going. How many people getting detained to hide the actual result, how many witnesses get missing, how many documents get forged to fit the announcement of Badru Kiggundu of 20th February; as the display of the government funds used to re-elect Museveni, the way the bribery and corrupt officials given voters money to sway their minds. This here is taking the vitality of the regimes new term and tenure. As the silence on the streets and the nearly warrior speech of NRM Secretary General Justine Kasule Lumumba right after the announcement! That should be visible sign as the only ones celebrated been Uganda Media Centre, Kiira Motors Company and the paid Youths who made a tiny made up victory rally in Kampala. Certainty is that simple reason for Dr. Kizza Besigye continuation of house arrest is Legitimacy.

EU Out of Politics Pre-Election Period

Legitimacy and legit assurance and trust come with validity of the support of your citizens and population. That you do not get with guns, arms and rigging government institutions. But that is not easy for President Museveni to see right now, as it is not “Who” but “What” for him while he talking to his best fans, instead for the cows of Mbarara.

There been demonstrations in the diaspora like in Boston, U.S. and London, U.K. but not openly in Uganda, as in Uganda the Army, Military Police and Police has been heavy deployed. The people trying to access Besigye’s home has been either sent away, stopped on one of the three main roadblocks from Kampala, or if they got close been detained the DPC Kawalya or DPC Kasangati, and then sent to Kasangati Police Station. While using around USh8m daily to make sure that the presidential candidate, so he does not make a fuzz. With 22 days detained by close calculation means the government of Uganda has spent on keeping Besigye under siege a total 22 days x 8M = 172m. And the total amount of Police Officers on the detail is 150. So the Uganda Police Force sees the pride in keeping him inside his gates and in his home in Kasangati. If not, they are wasting a lot of manpower and resources to keep him there.

That the People and Citizens have not done more can be questioned, as they really showed up at every step of his campaign trail from November until the last day before Election Day. Since then the mourning and sadness has attended the land, while the government and security forces has gone into state of emergency. As the state has deployed the army and police to intimidate the public!

Ugandan Election 2016 Grieving

So long as Kasangati and the home of Dr. Kizza Besigye is besieged by the police under order from up-high and the Executive; as he knows what torn and scars to his reputation it is to have him around and know that he does not have support that Besigye have! That FDC could not file a petition that was why I first suspected why he was house-arrested and detained. Now over a week later and still behind the Police siege; the Police siege is so great that the Police invades the homes of his neighbor’s homes to go to the toilet, as the police officers after so long has still no mobile-toilet or anything of sanitary facilities. Therefore they have done it around the house, before the ones got fined for doing so. This proves the disregard of the public and how the people who happen to live around him now, get the issues with police. As the reports of people struggling to visit neighbors and move around the area, as the police check everybody.

With that in mind, people should know by addition to the Besigye home under siege, the people around also besieged and even “invaded” by the Police. That says how far this guy’s goes with efforts and reasons. As still days upon days an opposition leader is behind siege and not allowed to live normally because of his wish to create change and another type of government. That is the “sin” Besigye has done and why he is behind the siege. While the world is forgetting and the people seem to forget that they supported him during the pre-election period and just wanted be part of rallies, and not create the change. If not the fear of the Police and Army with their ability of create violence to citizens and detaining people. Now it is so strong that they do it because the government spread massive amounts of fear. I think is the fear and the mourning, not because they don’t believe in the change and the wish of changing government that actually represent them and not representing Museveni. As it does now!

So Uganda should #FreeTheVote #FreeBesigye and Kigwa Leero! The long staying and prolonged house-arrest does not make sense, but to validate the legitimacy of Besigye and proving as Gen. Muntu and others said it was a Coup d’état on the 20th February as the army was heavy deployed and police in the streets, not celebrating crowds for yet another term for President Museveni. Peace!

The Police say the Boycott from “FDC is Illegal!” The Police use their holy grail POMA, and that some actually stay home in solidarity with Besigye today; Actual shop-keepers get arrested for closing their store in Rukungiri today!

Lumumba Block C 10.03.2016

Today it is first Thursday when many people stay home in solidarity to Dr. Kizza Besigye’s house arrest and the stealing of the votes on 18th Feburary 2016. The Police can’t handle that people are staying home and not talking. They can’t gather evidence and find out who really is opposition to harass. Therefore the CP of the Police said this to the media! And he had to use Public Order Management Act (POMA) the bill who is more used in Uganda then the Constitution to give the Police right to whatever they want.

“These demonstrations are deemed illegal because they are not authorized by Police as required under the Public Order Management Act, due to the potential of culminating into riots across the city; including arson, looting of properties, destruction and vandalism, and violent clashes between Police and rock throwing protesters. It is on record during the last such unlawful protests that several businesses reported damage, buildings destroyed, vehicles vandalized and injuries sustained,” says Fred Enanga, the police spokesperson” (Afunah, 2016).

That not going to work is illegal and not authorized from the Police is amazing. That the Police can state that you are making arson and potentially destroying property by not going to work is flamboyant at best.

Take look here:

Eyewitness: “Time check. 9:00 am I am at home i mean staying at home. The thought rung in my mind..go out and access the situation and find out the public response towards call for stay at home. Here i took a 5 minute walk to Kitintale taxi stage. This is one of the busiest stages in Kampala”

And if the police has issues with black or blue t-shirts while walking to work, it proves their partisanship and really, really foolish to demolish this way of showing their agony in public. The Police might not gotten a petition or form filled in with the planned demonstration, but the issue is that if they had filled it in, they would not been accepted. They have themselves aggressively preventative arrests of FDC and GO-Forward activists/officials/agents. Therefore the initial activities from the Police is not giving justice, but securing the Presidency and the elite of NRM. Not caring about democratic actions as they have sieged the home of Dr. Kizza Besigye since before the Election Day, the way the Police has attacked the Najjankumbi Headquarter have been raided twice. So if the Police expected that the FDC would comply with their rules now, it would be strange as they themselves has no regards for laws or regulations as they attack the FDC and Go-Forward by any means since the 18th of February.

The Demonstration of the FDC and their supporters is peaceful defiance and defying the institutions and businesses that supply funding to the NRM-Regime. They do not say that people should stay home if they fear of losing their job! It is a demonstration of character as they will defy the regime by peaceful means. The destruction and vandalism is more the way of the Police and Army as they hurt and kill. While the FDC want to wear a shirt and stop using MTN. If that is hard for Police to understand, I understand that as they have shown that they only understand violence, as they create it or harass the public. The Police cannot harass the public if they stay in their own home. They are allowed not to listen to Bebe Cool or Dr. Jose Chameleone or anybody else who supported President Museveni during his campaigning. They can listen to Bobi Wine or Lucky Dube if they want to, with that should cause tension. As much as staying home is a way of showing disaffection, if you couldn’t do that; than the public could do that through clothing as a sign of defying the regime; both of them are is soft and peaceful ways of demonstrations, not making the violence and creating vandalism.

So Uganda Police I do not know what you do in your homes if that is violent or vandalism, but that is up to you, and if the public is wearing something dangerous by wearing blue or black. Than you should start to wear that yourself since the Police are often the most dangerous, as you throw tear-gas, live-bullets and other aggressive behavior towards the people. And telling people that they are breaking the “Public Order” by staying home or even wearing some other clothing is just unserious, even if the FDC and the FDC NEC didn’t send a form displaying the articles and decisions to demonstrate peacefully in the country.

Rukungiri 10.03.2016

The actions of Rukungiri where shops have been closed in solidarity of the FDC and “Free My vote” campaign; the shop owners are now being arrested and detained by the Police;  So the Police have now lawful power to tell if the stores can be open and closed. By the assumption of the public display arresting Mr. Batuma and Mr. Sonko of Sonko Electronics in Rukungiri who has been arrested today after their store been closed. The FDC has been informed that UPF is looking out for business-owners that closed their businesses voluntarily. Is this the proud state of Police and NRM-Regime that you order businesses to be open or be detained by government forces? Is that parts of President Museveni’s pledges and speaking of peace during the pre-election period. As nobody could create violence or unrest in the country as long as he was President, the old man with hat and his security organizations has gone to far, when they take the men who lay down the work in solidarity for a cause and then detaining them, while looking for the other ones.

The people do this without creating any of the violence and vandalism. Even if a government car got burnt by the Electoral Commission offices in Kampala, compared to the violence you created when Dr. Kizza Besigye was crossing town to go to the Makerere rally on the 15th February 2016, this here has been nothing. I am sure the Police will blame it on the opposition, even if it was the Police themselves blazing the car, even if it was just a disgruntled employee of the Electoral Commission, who hadn’t gotten his/hers pay-check.

So if the Police struggle with the sit-home demonstrations and the clothing to show allegiance with opposition, with boycotting NRM and showing public disobedience. That should be allowed and not be questioned. Peace.

Reference:

Afunah, Badru – ‘Police Warns As FDC’s Protests Begin’ (10.03.2016) link: http://news.ugo.co.ug/police-warns-fdcs-protests-begin/