Opinion: How much impunity can the NRM and Museveni get away with?

What sort of level of oppression can the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and how many Members of Parliament; How many opposition leaders and activists can the NRM detain before the public says it is enough? How many of their leaders can their torture with impunity and forge charges on before it matters?

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the Security Organizations are now really misusing their power. As they have just twisted the people and the charges on the MPs. They are still charged with treason and awaiting trials, as the possible prolonged court cases are coming. The same has been shown with Dr. Kizza Besigye in the past, as well as other in his near sphere. Now, Robert Kyagulanyi are feeling the same sort of pain, together with Paul Mwiru, Gerald Karuhanga, Mubarak Munyagwa, Kassiano Wadri and the rest of Arua 33 whose awaiting trial. These are the latest people who are taken by the state, because the NRM suffered a defeating loss in the Arua By-Election. Something, the NRM and President couldn’t stomach.

While because of the riots in Kampala, Mukono, Mityana and in Jinja, there been at least 100 people detained during the aftermath of the elections and the Free Bobi Wine demonstrations. This been done with use of military force, police and also tear-gas, live-bullets and humiliating the public. That has been done systematically by the regime.

All of this is done, because of one man overstaying in power. Who has never had trouble using guns and ammunition to control the public. This will continue as the NRM will not give the power back to the people. They are having it and not interested to question it. The NRM are using all force, the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF), Internal Security Organization (ISO), Chief of Military Intelligence (CMI), Special Force Command (SFC) and Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF). All this entities are supposed to be there to serve the public, but right now all of them seem to serve the President. The President are using all of these Security Organizations to control the population and not to secure them.

Therefore, the public have to ask themselves, if they accept all of this methods to use to suppress them. The people have to ask if they will allow the President and his party to misuse the trust and forgetting that they are supposed to be served. Not be afraid of the police, security organizations to be used as a shield to protect the president, but take secure the safety of public. Nevertheless, that isn’t the case. That is why the President is going after opposition leaders, not really trying to figure out or finding he ones behind the crimes done by the state. The civilians who demonstrate can be arrested or die by use of the army or other outfits.

The President are misusing and silencing the public with all of these units. That is why this is impunity, they are using the laws against the public, instead of trying to secure civilians, they could easily kill them if they are in the way and also take away their freedom. The lack of liberty and the impunity is at a rate it is foolish. This because the President and the NRM wants to rule.

The arrests and the detentions of these people are showing the lack of respect for justice. The lack of care for the torturing of civilians and even killings of innocent as result of it. All of the ones hurt by state, because one man who wants all power, as the rest of the people are paying the price. We just have to wonder how long the people will accept paying the price and seeing their leaders being detained, because they have the guts to question the legitimacy of Museveni. Peace.

DPP Chibita letter to Lt. Gen. Andrew Guti on dropping gun charges on Bobi Wine but move him to High Court (22.08.2018)

Bobi Wine and the Opposition will have a long walk to FREEDOM: State Sponsored Oppression continues!

Today is start of a long journey, the ones celebrating that Bobi Wine got freed from Military Custody, celebrated to early. His journey to freedom is far from over. They will prolong his stay within in the legal system, as long as they can. Just like did to Gen. Moses Ali or even countless charges put on Kizza Besigye. Robert Kyagulanyi and the others will be in the Court system for ages, until the state finally drops it. When they have to get new charges for new crimes. That is what the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni does to opposition. This is a play we have seen again. The tortured and arrested MPs, will still be in custody and await trials, as the cases are push forward for further discovery or whatever needs the state has at any given moment.

While that has happen. Here is re-cap of what that has happen.

In the early morning as Dr. Kizza Besigye was planning to leave his home in Kasangati, Wakiso. He was taken away by unknown men, as he later surfaced in Mukono District at the Naggalama Police Station. Detained by the authorities.

The message from Besigye before he was taken: “Every way out of my home is barricaded since very early today. The intention is to deny us freedom to move and to be at the Military Court where MP Robert Kyagulanyi is to be produced this morning. The struggle for freedom and sovereignty won’t be blocked! Museveni Must Go” (Dr. Kizza Besigye, 23.08.2018).

While Erias Lukwago, the lawyer representing Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. Which was set for Military Court Martial in Gulu today. He has been put under house-arrest by the authorities today.

Ingrid Turinawe have also been put under house-arrest by the authorities as well.

While the Director of Public Prosecution Mike Chibita has written to the Lt Gen Andrew Guti to drop the gun charges against Bobi Wine, Kassiano Wadri and the 28 other suspects. In the letter to Court Martial, he also asked the case to moved from the military courts to the civil courts.

While Bobi Wine was freed for a hot minute from the Gulu Military Court, he was re-arrested on similar charges as before of illegal procession and for treason. Therefore, he will have to answer in a civil High Court instead of a Military Court. He is remanded into custody until the 30th August 2018. He was on crutches and struggling to walk in the Court Martial today. He will be in Gulu Main Prison until next court date and be put back in Makindye Military Barracks. So, he was re-charges against at the Gulu Magistrate Court today and therefore, the case will continue.

What we have learned today, is that the government and authorities are still working overtime to silence and stop the opposition from having space. As Besigye has to behind bars, Lukwago has to be house-arrested and not allowed to represent his client. Neither is the like of Turinawe allowed to go out.

The NRM are really just showing their lack of tolerance, freedom and liberty for anyone else than the President. Who can call out everyone by name and say they are inciting violence, while his state sponsored violence can address anyone. He can arrest and detain anyone at the snap of his fingers. That is why Besigye is behind bars, Lukwago blocked and Turinawe blocked. While Bobi Wine is just moved from the military to the civic one. He is still in legal jeopardy, just another place than before.

The rest are still charged with treason, even if the gun-charges are taken away, while the forged destruction of the Presidential Convoy continues. As the President had to swing by to check if they followed his orders. Peace.

Uganda Police Force have seized two truckloads of tyres (22.08.2018)

President Museveni continues his rants: Now condemning and strangely lacking executive powers!

Now that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is starting to write articles daily and posting them on Facebook. Today, he was at least a bit more subtle than of late. He was writing with more respect and not being such a brat in Office. President Museveni wasn’t telling people that they are pseudo-intellectual or hooligans directly, if they are supporters of Robert Kyagulanyi or anyone else, which isn’t him.

As the aftermath of the Arua By-Election are continuing, because of the how the state has acted, used the Special Force Command and other Security Organizations to silence the Members of Parliament, but also the public. The state sponsored violence and random arrests, as well as the ones planned and the charges made by the state by the authorities. I will write side notes to each piece of the ones I have taken, because I will not care for commenting the economic parts of his writing, because at this point. The oppression and silencing of them is the ones that matters. Not the financial aspect, because no one really deem that important right now. We want them MPs and Arua33 released. Take a look!

I condemn in the strongest terms, the killing of somebody, in the Katwe area, whose name I have not yet been told by elements of the Security forces. When I asked the Police, I was told of a stray bullet being responsible for the death. A stray bullet (a bullet that goes away from the target) originally aimed at what and why? I was told that the Kampala demonstrating groups of Monday were more of a nuisance than a menace- which the Arua groups were. The Monday groups were operating in small groups, burning tyres and, then, sending them to social media, working for those who pay them, to show that Uganda is unstable. The enemies of Uganda are now worried at the emerging strength of the economy of Uganda” (Museveni, 22.08.2018).

The magic bullet of Houston has arrived in Katwe, Kampala. There been bullets hitting random victims and not where the Security Officers aimed. As they are killing at random. They are shooting in the air and suddenly hitting random places. Just like during the protests, tear-gas has been even thrown into the class-rooms and destroyed a class for the kids. These bullets, are because the security forces are ordered to quell by all means. They come with live-bullets, mambas and tear-gas to silence the public. Than, the President has trouble that the leaked pictures and messages of the violence happens online. Because he wants state sponsored violence done in darkness, without people knowing or reporting what is happening directly for the world to know. The OTT Tax is used to address and tell the world what is happening, as the Police, masked Special Force Command and others are quelling the peaceful protest by any means. He should beg forgiveness for all the lives, all the families and all the innocent people that is hurt by his authorities. Something, he never does, he condemns like the African Union and moves on.

I condemn, again, in the strongest terms the beating of journalists by elements of the Security forces. It is true that the journalists working for foreign interests or for our own local parasites tell lies, they do not do balanced reporting. On account of that you can block them because sometimes they interfere with the scene of crime. If they refuse, you arrest them and charge them with disobeying lawful command. Beating, however, is wrong because the Security forces do not have that power. People should not be beaten even as a punishment. They can be imprisoned, fined, hanged, etc according to the law and logic but they cannot, be beaten (flogged) except if the Police is dispersing a menacing mob threatening to kill people or damage property. In some countries, they use batons. On the issue of releasing Bobi Wine and the others, the President of Uganda does not have such powers. Once somebody is arrested, charged and remanded, it is only two authorities who can release such people in any way: the Courts or the DPP withdrawing charges if the evidence is not enough. Let us therefore, wait for the Courts and see what they decide” (Museveni, 22.08.2018).

President Museveni can lie, but this one is a major one, as per Security Organizations Act of 1987, which he enacted 13th November 1987, that says the President of Uganda can: “4. Restrictions on exercise of duties. (1) No officer or employee of either organisation shall take action directed against or affecting any person following intelligence gathered pursuant to section 3 unless that action has first been sanctioned by the President or such other authority as the President may direct; except that either of the Directors General may direct the police to arrest and detain, in relation to intelligence gathered, any person for not more than forty-eight hours pending a report by the Director General under section 3(b) and a decision by the President”. Therefore, he can direct the Director General, the DPP and the other agencies, if he has intelligence gathered to direct them. That is a clear lie. Easy lie, as he cannot even remember the laws he himself has enacted.

Finally, the anti-riot SOPs(Standard Operational Procedures) give the whole spectrum of options: warning rioters using loud- speakers, using shields and batons, using tear gas, using rubber bullets, using water – cannons, using rifles but firing in the air and, finally, shooting directly at the rioter in self- defence( for the Security personnel), to stop him harming a mwanainchi or damaging property if they do not pay heed. Therefore, Bazukulu, do not be misled by those who are misusing you that the Security cannot use deadly force. It all depends on the circumstances” (Museveni, 22.08.2018).

He defending the Police and the Army, as the quelling of the voice of the people. They are not allowed to protest. The Public Order Management Act, would have been used to stop the processions or any protests against the cause of the state. That is why the public isn’t informing the state of this. As they know the tear-gas, the live-bullets and the state sponsored violence will arrive. The videos of how the Security Organizations have acted towards the citizens, isn’t with respect. Neither, the way they have put them in the wagons and also the Nasser Road incident. Shows the lack of tolerance, where the intimidation and misuse of power, because the state has the biggest guns. They are killing people and arresting them. So, this defense is lying straight out, as the protocol isn’t followed and the key is to intimidate and silence the people, because the power of the President is the key.

When he lies, he should lie better, he has had training of doing so since starting to rule in 1986. I feel it bad, when I can use laws he is supposed to know and knowledge of powers he has given himself. Therefore, step your game of Mr. President and free them MPs, the Arua33 and everyone that has detained since the By-Election. Act like your responsible and not like a kingpin. Like you are doing at the moment. While thinking the public is stupid and not taking responsibility. Peace.

An Update from ULS on the Arua, Mityana and Kampala Issues (22.08.2018)

Heartbreaking Ad-Hoc Report on the Aftermath of the Arua By-Election!

The Parliament created an Ad Hoc Report by the 10th Parliament, as Members of Parliament (MPs) was arrested and tortured after the Arua By-Election. This is the aftermath of the Elections and the state of affairs. As of the documentation of the whole ordeal, this is biggest detail, though it is not countering the words of the lawyers of Robert Kyagulanyi or really showing loyalty to the texts of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. As this one is not defending the way the government have taken these men and woman in custody. Neither has this report vindicated the state, as the revelation that the MPs was arrested in detention facilities that isn’t gazetted or registered. Shows how the militarism is and how they are not following protocol as they have given a get-out-of-jail free-card to the Special Force Command (SFC).

This is a sad report to read, as this is human beings like me and you. What is special of the PDF that the Parliament has dropped, of the members of the Ad Hoc Committee, the Chairman Doreen Amule didn’t sign it, and I wonder why? Why didn’t she sign the report? Because all the other 5 members of the Committee signed it. That is really a weird moment and you should comment on it.

I will now that the quotes or the paragraphs from the report that I feel is worth mentioning. This is showing what the state has done and what the Special Force Command has brought to the table and served the MPs.

Later when the Committee met with thc UPDF 4th Division Commander Brigadier Kanyesigze Emmanuel, he initially denied holding Hon. Kyagulanyi Robert Sentamu at his barracks, but later implicitly contradictcd himself. He informed the Committee that Hon. Kyagulanyi had been brought to the barracks, specifically to the military hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in a fight with unknown people, Tasked to reveal the identities of whoever had brought Hon. Kyagulanyi Robert to the military facility, he referred the Committee to the Special Forces Command (SFC) and the Police” (Ad Hoc Report, P: 6, 2018).

An interface with and observation of the detained MPs and other suspects revealed that they had been severely battered with Hon. Karuhanga Gerald, Hon. Mwiru Paul and Hon. Michael Mabikke complaining of chest and back pain. Hon. Karuhanga Gerald was limping as a result of an injury to his knee. They stated that they had been viciously brutalized during and after arrest while in Police custody in Arua and during transportation between the place of arrest and detention at Arua CPS and later Bondo Military barracks. They further informed the Committee that the brutality and beating was administered by men dressed in uniforms of the Special Forces Command (SFC)” (Ad Hoc Report, P: 7, 2018).

Some of the suspects in detention, whom the Committee was able to interact with were in dire need of urgent medical attention, notably the two women and one gentleman who could neither sit nor walk and were visibiy in deep pain, Hon. Mwiru Pau1, Hon. Karuhanga Gerald and Hon. Mabikke Michael. However, they had not been accorded access to requisite medical he1p, save for diagnosis by the Police Surgeon more over without medication” (…) “Hon. Lubega Medard Sseggona and Hon. Basalirwa Asuman who volunteered pro bono legal services were allowed by the Military to witness the proceedings of the General Court Martial before whom Hon. Kyagulanyi Robert Ssentamu, in his disquieting physical state was arraigned pleaded with the Military for an opportunity to have private medical personnel urgently access Hon. Kyagulanyi. They were reportedly assured that this would not happen immediately but rather in the future while the suspect was at the Makindye Military detention facility” (Ad Hoc Report P: 10, 2018).

The Committee observes that Hon. Kyagulanyi Robert Ssentamu was detained in 2 military barracks- Gulu Fourth Division and Bondo. Hon. Francis Zaake’s place of detention was never brought to the attention of the Committee. The rest of the Members of Parliament were detained in Bondo Military barracks and Arua and Gulu Police Stations. Gulu and Bondo Military barracks are not gazetted detention facilities; therefore the detention of suspects in those places violated Article 23 (2) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1995” (Ad Hoc Report, P: 11, 2018).

Hon. Kyagulanyi Robert Ssentamu informed the Committee that he feels pain all over his body and was only surviving on pain killing injections. The left side of his abdomen is visibly painful and the wounds on his head are sti1l visible. He complains of chest pain and says his teeth were loosened by the beating he suffered at the hands of the men clad in uniforms of the Special Forccs Command (SFC)” (Ad Hoc Report, P: 14, 2018).

This report really shows the intent of the state assault and hurt Robert Kyagulanyi, as the body of his is beaten and his pains are severe. Even as the President and others have tried to downplay the torture of the MP. As you see in the quotes, the other MPs and citizens has also been badly treated by the state. When Mwiru, Karuhanga and Mabikke have been complained with pains in their chest and back-pain, as well as Karuhanga are limping as a result of it. Therefore, the proof and affidavits here of witnessing the pains of fellow MPs. Shows the intent to hurt as they we’re becoming a group of opposition members who was standing in the way of the President. That is why the state had to send the Presidential Guards to attack them, arrest them, torture them and even detain them at locations that isn’t officially registered as prisons for civilians.

This report is really showing the injustice of the days in and after the By-Election in Arua. We are seeing MPs worried about how the lack of medical attention to the MPs and also the result of the violence done on these men. Where they were detained and how the SFC has become a vital instrument to attack these people. The SFC have really shown what they are there for, not for justice or liberty, but for intimidation and harassment of people. They are not there to secure the President, but instead used as a tool to oppress these people. Peace.

Reference:

REPORT OF THE ADHOC COMMITTEE ON THE PLIGHT OF MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT AND OTHER SUSPECTS WHO WERE BRUTALLY ARRESTED AND DETAINED BY SECURITY FORCES IN THE RUN UP TO THE ARUA MUNICIPALITY BY-ELECTIONS OF 15TH AUGUST 2018, 22,08.2018

ULS Statement on Torture of Journalists and Citizens by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (22.08.2018)

Opinion: Bebe Cool doesn’t understand the sentiment of the times!

When your in the hands of the tyrant, you anticipate anyone else to be as well. Because he has been a loyal cadre and defended the President on several of times. Bebe Cool was even not happy with Bobi Wine when he turned down Tubonga Naawe, which was the campaign song for the Museveni before the General Elections. That was an All-Star songs with many of the Republics stars praising the National Resistance Movement, like Radio & Weasel, Jose Chameleone and Bebe Cool.

However, the ones following their relationship with Museveni directly has been Chameleone and Bebe Cool. Bebe Cool who even invited and used Museveni in the promotion to his recent Golden Hearts Concert in Kampala. Therefore, he is now really not understanding how people about the 32 years of oppression and intimidation. Just because he has the good graces of the President. The random civilians in the recent week haven’t felt it, neither has Bobi Wine or any of the other detained MPs. Who are awaiting their fate and the current injustice towards them. As the saga of forged charges to silence opposition continues.

Bebe Cool should consider that, when he starts to hash-tag himself as #FreeBebeCool! That is just insulting to all the ones arrested in the recent days, all the ones that has died as a result of state violence and the ones in the hospital because of their participation in these demonstrations. While the government are claiming all citizens are hooligans and indisciplined.

Bebe Cool is really fooling himself, as he should understand the sympathy and the troubling ways the authorities has acted towards the opposition. Instead, he wants his views and perspective to be free. He shouldn’t be afraid anyway. He is one of the love-childs of the grandfather aka Old Man with the Hat. They have an admiration of each other and Bebe Cool has served a purpose during the campaigns before the General Elections 2016. When people showed up for the concerts sometimes, but left when the President came to the stage. Bebe Cool might have forgotten that part, but he is blind by the President and his love for him. They are both boosting each others egos.

Bebe Cool better back off politics and actually stay silent. As we know his admiration of the President. That is why many people don’t want to listen to or associate themselves with his music. It is tainted by his relationship with the President. Instead of thinking of the ones who is actually in legal jeopardy at this time. He wants to promote himself and act a fool. To be honest, that is not cool.

Bebe Cool, you are a tool for this, your not an honest person. We know your position with the President. That has been known for a long while and you been in the spotlight because of that. You have earned a fortune campaigning for the President. Therefore, we know who you are.

That is why it is insulting, that your asking for people “Freeing You”, while actual political prisoners are detained. You don’t need freedom Mr. Cool, you need to be educated and adjust your ways. Your disrespectful to the ones actually behind bars because of their political affiliation. You are free and Bobi Wine is not. The Arua33 isn’t either.

So how dare you Bebe Cool asking for freedom, when actual people are behind bars?

Free Bobi Wine and the MPs, the activists and the rest who are political prisoners. Not Free BEBE COOL. He is already free and is a disgrace to humanity. Peace.

Good to see Bobi Wine smiling, but don’t be fooled!

It is good to see the clip of 8 seconds released by Deputy Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah where Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine is in detention there. Even the speaker was revealing that Bobi Wine was in severe pain. But good to see that the Member of Parliament being alive and able to communicate. Because everything before this, has been done in the shadows and in darkness. Not like the authorities has been keeping it all secret. As the little knowledge we have had of his condition, has been eye-witness and from the few doctors who has established his well-being. He has been in detention and arrested since 14th August 2018. Therefore, it is 8 days since it started.

Why did it take so many days, before we saw Bobi Wine? Why didn’t we see him in the first Court Martial? Why such a limited scope of him? Are they afraid of the reality, as they needed over 8 days to release an 8 seconds long clip of him smiling. It is hard to believe that he is all well, as we cannot see his skin and real damage. If it is the kidneys, they wouldn’t be visible to the naked eye anyways. The other damage is covered by the clothes and poor quality of how his face is. As we cannot see the face clearly in the poor quality short clip from the authorities.

The other MPs are still unsure of is Kassiano Wadri, Mubarak Munyagwa, Paul Mwiru, Gerald Karuhanga and also the hospitalized Francis Zaake, which is at the Rubaga Hospital. There is also 33 more people arrested in Arua, as well as the ones arrested in the riots in Kampala and Jinja. That was up to a 100 people before today. Therefore, there are plenty of people in detention and we cannot be sure how many whose been hurt in Arua, Kampala, Mukono and in Jinja during the last week. As well, as totol people who has been shot and fatally gone as the authorities has quelled demonstrations in various parts of Kampala, Arua and Jinja.

Just seeing Bobi Wine smiling is yet again giving hope. Even if he soon has to taken or airlifted to Gulu Court Martial and still be under detention through Military Law. Just like the rest of the MPs, who is in custody and not feeling freedom. They are not liberated, they still arrested and state property. We know that there was lack of medical care in the beginning and the worry was real, as his kidney and also swollen head and leg. That doesn’t grow over night, therefore, this has been stages as the wounds might have healed, but the pain might still be there.

We have seen similar things with Besigye, where everything been looking well, but suddenly ordered to another facility and new charges for something else. Even as Bobi Wine is charged with illegal firearms and treason for trying to overthrow Museveni. We know that is forged charges, as well as claiming the rest of the group was working towards that in Arua By-Election.

While Museveni and apologists have tried very hard to defend the violence, the military use and the quelling of protests. They have really defended using live bullets and tear-gas, even the Nasser Road incident should be defining moment for the people, as the Special Force Command and the army stopped all protests in Kampala on the 20th August 2018. Therefore, the kneeling on the ground and lifting hands of all citizens passing the street of Nasser Road. Shows how far the oppression can go and anyone who is in association

Therefore, these last days has shown the tyranny, not only for the FDC activists and leadership, who has been a lot of time under cross-fire with the authorities. Now, we are seeing further escalation and that the public is gearing up. More protests and tired of being played by a militarized government. Who uses all methods to silence the voices of the people, because it is only the junta government that is allowed to speak. The rest just got to shut up and try to eat. That is what the President and the NRM does right now.

It is a reason why the people are demanding the release of these MPs and the other ones arrested. Since they are violated by the state. As long as this continues, as long as the President and the NRM continues to spin it. They are lying either way, like the Zaake had the capacity to run away from both a hospital and a police station. While he was reported dropped off by the military at the Hospital. Therefore, the public is tired of this way and knowing that the authorities doesn’t serve them, only bills them. Peace.