Rukungiri on fire: Because the FDC Planned a Thanksgiving Prayer!

If you ever thought, there would be justice in a place called Rukungiri Town. You most certainly wrong, there been plenty of occasions over the past few years where the Police Force and other Security Outfits has ambushed and besieged the town. Because the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) are planning a rally or like today, they were planning to hold a Thanksgiving Prayer. However, the Police Force came there as if it was terrorists on a jihadi mission.

Today, is just another meagre sign of the lack of tolerance, freedom of speech and assembly in Uganda. Again, another proof of how the Police Force is pre-occupied with arresting, ferrying and taking away FDC leaders and activists. As the home of Dr. Kizza Besigye was sealed off early in morning. While, Ingrid Turinawe was taken away from the FDC Offices in Rukungiri and in custody in Ntungamo Police Station. There was countless others who was arrested and who knows to what extent of hurt. Because the police didn’t only fire tear-gas to the public, but also live-bullets. Surely, these stray-bullets can kill.

That they without warrants and any legal effort are putting Besigye again under House Arrest. Shows their intent and the fear of the popularity of the FDC leader. They are clearly sending a message again. The same with the continues arrest of Turinawe, who has been steadily in legal jeopardy. This is all happening because one scheduled PRAYER. Not a defiant rally or uproar to resistance against the authorities. But a GOD-DAMN PRAYER. What is wrong with the authorities to stop these activities and these events?

The Police are calling it an Illegal Ceremony, they are using the Preventative arrests and Public Order Management Act of 2010 as if there is no tomorrow. We know the Drill, but still, it pains to see it returns again and again.

This is what the Police did:

“Police in Rukungiri District in western Uganda Monday blocked the Opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party from holding thanksgiving prayers for the deceased supporters” (91.2 Crooze FM, 26.11.2018).

That is showing what extent of impunity, as they are trying to pray for the fallen ones, the supporters who stood by the party and lost their lives. Because of that, there is more tear-gas and live bullets, more people detained and huge caravan of mambas, vans and police officers on the ground. Ensuring that the FDC doesn’t hold the prayer.

This is yet another sign of how oppressive the NRM Regime is, how President Museveni carries himself and his brigade against the opposition. Nothing else to say really. Impunity in action, Impunity in orders, and the only correct line is to honour Bosco/Jajja/Mzee/M7, or whatever you call him. Peace.

Opinion: EU Envoy Schmidt are an speaking like an NRM apologist similar to Ofwono Opondo over Besigye’s 2016 Election defiance!

I feel sorry for European Union Envoy Kristian Schmidt who are now sounding like a National Resistance Movement (NRM) apologist, instead of an independent spirit and understanding of the short-falls of the NRM Regime. He seems to been misunderstanding what happen during the General Election 2016. Surely, he wants the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and Dr. Kizza Besigye, to say it just water under bridge and let it go. Since the Supreme Court followed the orders of the 31 Years and counting President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. First introduce some of the beautiful words of Ofwono Opondo, before the Kristian Schmidt’s foolish interview with Daily Monitor, before enlightening fellow European of his ignorance or forgetting the blatant impunity towards Besigye and FDC in and around the General Election 2016. Since he has forgotten while drinking Nile Brew in the Embassy and going on Safaries with his dignitaries. Surely, Schmidt must feel good about himself!

““In this election, Besigye gained 1.5 million votes compared to two million votes he got in 2011 while Museveni’s gain was a paltry 500,000. To the NRM strategists, this is the most shocking, indeed worrying trend, and having located the cause as being our messaging, strategy, campaign style, internal laxity, occasioned fraud and widespread bickering. We shall not blame anybody else except ourselves. Actually, to be frank, we were almost swept away by our collective failure to robustly respond to the Opposition demagoguery on issues of youth unemployment, despair among the urban population, poor and yet expensive public service delivery and bad public relations, especially to distribution of soft campaign cash that often got stolen along the way among other issues. This, to the Besigye camp, should give hope that with better strategic organisation, not only falsehoods, they can in the future topple NRM through the ballot instead of being bad losers” (…) ““The claims of rigging, especially at the last minute through alleged intimidation of candidates’ agents, ballot stuffing, falsification or alteration of results on tally and declaration sheets and at announcements are perturbing and incredibly unbelievable. These could pass as truth if the peddlers could at least adduce some verifiable evidence from eyewitnesses and documents in their possession that differ from those of the EC, which ought to be available from the multiple sources, including the media that observed these elections” (Opondo, 2016).

So when a NRM spokesperson and Uganda Media Centre director had to come in defense of his master. In the aftermath and with the current illegitimate government. Who has no problems in misusing the government funds and had no problem rigging the election in their favor. As the FDC had massive scores of leaders behind bars, had people with Declarations Forms from Polling Stations at Gun-Point, had their Headquarter barricaded and sealed off, Besigye was under house-arrest and the story goes on. Not an adventure, but a true theft a nation. Still Schmidt says this to the FDC and former Presidential Candidate:

“He added: “That is of course an issue that is dividing but I think it would have been good to come together and discuss. It has not happened and election reforms seem to be not going forward.” (…) “The law of Uganda is what it is: the conditions of petitions are what they are, and for a petition to be successful you have to do a lot of homework. Under your Constitution I believe you have little time, 10 days. I know one of the recommendations of the Supreme Court is to extend that time which I believe makes sense.” (…) “ He said “I think if Dr Besigye was convinced before elections that he would not be happy with the outcomes and the process, he should have been the one to petition. He should have prepared for that but he decided before that he was not going to and under the rule of law.” (Musisi, 2017).

EU Envoy to Uganda Kristian Schmidt, I know you visited him while on undetermined house-arrest. Since the Police Force had been stationed in Kasangati, Wakiso for so long days before the election and until May 2016. When he was able to escape and have his own swearing-in ceremony, before air-lifted to Moroto, where the state charged him with Treason charges. Which he still carries today, he is an arch-criminal and seen as an enemy of the state. Than after all of this, you talk about rule of law, justice and courts. Like Dr. Kizza Besigye haven’t had his time in court, haven’t been detained on more occasions than ordinary thief, even more than average murderers in the Republic.

So, the FDC was unable to counter with a petition, Amama Mbabazi was the only one able to fill in a form or petition. Because FDC has done so after General Election 2011. So it is like the EU Envoy for Uganda Schmidt is not in concern anymore of all the breaches that happen to Besigye. Like the whole House-Arrest period, the whole part of the general assault on the rule of law considering the elections and polls. The self sufficient pre-ticket ballots and Badru Kiggundu’s own special math-class. The statistics and the vicious attempt of forging the whole election in favor of President Museveni.

It like he wants the one on Treason Charges since May 2016, since the coup d’etat in February 20^th 2016, when the Electoral Commission announced the result. That as the whole NRM and state organization was behind the whole ordeal. Even the European Election Observation Mission and the Commonwealth Election Observation Mission was explaining the massive flaws of the General Election. Still, the EU Envoy want Besigye just to let it go.

Let’s take his first reasoning, since it is shows his true passion, the Danish dignitary: “Now if this was in any other democracy, like in some European countries, it would be unacceptable that the Opposition party does not then recognise the winner of the elections” (Musisi, 2017). If this was an election in Europe, all of these ploys of the NRM wouldn’t have happen. Not normally, that the army is used to intimidate, that local leaders are paid-off with new cars, that ballot are pre-ticket ballots and all powers to be to silence the FDC. Together with the obvious rigging and mismatch of acts in favor of Museveni. If this would not have happen in a European elections and EU Envoy to Uganda knows this. That why it is remarkable that he says about Besigye.

Besigye knows better and the Ugandan people knows so. They are not fools, even if Schmidt is sounding like Ofwono Opondo and has taken lectures from Andrew Mwenda. He surely has hanged in the same bars in Kampala as these two. To sound so blatant ignorant and so forgetful. Peace.

Reference:

Opondo, Ofwono – ‘The media shouldn’t parrot Opposition false claims’ (28.03.2016) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Media-parrot-Opposition-false-claims/-/689364/3135890/-/2m2g7v/-/index.html

Musisi, Fredric – ‘Besigye refusal to recognise government not helpful – EU envoy’ (09.07.2017) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Besigye-refusal-recognise-government-not-helpful-EU-envoy/688334-4006606-er8gyr/index.html

Dr. Kizza Besigye still under house-arrest; The FDC have been oppressed by the Police in the recent days; Arrests of FDC Agents or Officials while trying to deliver Declartion Results Forms; Journalists arrested in Kasangati! (27.02.2016)

Recent days reports of how the oppression and harrasment of the FDC continues. Something that has been going before the Pre-Election period. As the Police continues to work against the opposition members, their methods are getting clear; there was reported that around 15 FDC supporters was taken from Kasangati while trying to visit Dr. Kizza Besigye.

Dr Kizza Besigye says about the situation today: “Situation at my home is getting worse. All traffic is now diverted from the road passing by our home and no one is allowed to come near home” (…)”David Mpanga & Ernest Kalibbala have been stopped at a roadblock in Lutete (3km before Kasangati) and told they can’t come to my home!

David Mpanga has commented on the matter: “Myself and other lawyers were invited to to attend. My colleague and I were stopped at a road block from attending the meeting”.

There been reported that four NTV Journalist and two Daily Monitor Journalists, while they we’re trying to enter the Kasangati home. They have been detained by the Police. As their equipment and also the driver for the NTV crew has been taken. And escorted in a dark van to Kasangati Police Post. There been reported that 11 more journalist gotten the same treatment by the Police as well. All of this arrests has happen without a direct reason from the DPC of Kasangati.

The more reports from the FDC, is that UPDF under orders of Andrew Felix Kaweesi has directed all people from entering the Kasangati area. As also Wassaw Birigwa, Gen. Mugisha Muntu and the legal teams of Amama Mbabazi and the FDC also have not been allowed to enter the home of Dr. Kizza Besigye! All the Traffic is general now blocked from the home. The UPDF and UPF is now evacuating all of the area and surroundings there.

At Wampewo where Amama Mbabazi was on the way to Kasangati to see how the situation of Dr. Kizza Besigye, he was there blocked from coming to him, but not allowed! The Police is claiming his life would be in danger if he enter the Kasangati area, apparently. What they was supposed to do (Kizza Besigye and Amama Mbabazi) was to compare their notes, the feasibility and what strategy of the petition. That is the danger that Police see as the Opposition are dangerous now-a-days!

Police to Amama Mbabazi: “We have info about what you are going to discuss with Besigye and we don’t want that meeting to happen”.

Today the reports are getting clearer as the FDC agents and officials who have the declarations forms from the election. They have tried to get to FDC Headquarter in Najjankumbi, they are not getting access to it. Those who have gone to the home of Dr. Kizza Besigye with the papers, has been beaten, tortured and arrested by the Police. Today at Najjankumbi:”Ibrahim Ngnda Semuju On Capital Gang: “When we went to visit our FDC headquarters , which are under police siege , Gen. Muntu opened the gate and he was immediately arrested and ordered to squat down by armed crime preventers “.

In the last 48 hours there been reported from the FDC that 40 agents and officials from the party has been taken to custody or threaten in a manner which isn’t gentle, they are either detained at the Kireka Police Station or Kasangati Police Post. And the one in charge here is DPC Kasangati James Kawalya who does what he can to stifle the business and life of Dr. Kizza Besigye.

Also reports of the Police are “Heavy deployed” and have surrounded the Rukungiri FDC offices in the town. So the Police is really working against the party at all levels and what Hon. Mafabi has said during the week that FDC officials, agents and supporters been at gun-point to either rewrite or give up declarations forms from the 18th February elections. Hon. Nathan Nandala Mafabi wrote on the 25th February: “Security agents and NRM functionaries are looking for our agents and FDC leaders across the rural areas of Western, Eastern and Northern Uganda to sign falsified Candidates’ Declaration Result Forms. They are being put on gun point to sign them with either an exchange for money or get arrested for those who refuse”.

So this here is proof that his word had sense behind them. The struggle of Dr. Kizza Besigye and the whole party continues as the NRM-Regime is in high-gear as they try and do whatever to get rid of evidence of the electoral fraud and the vote-rigging as the paper-trail left behind and given to FDC Officials and agents, because they have kept this evidence that gives the Electoral Commission, the partisan police and the NRM who try to cover-up their misfortune and acts of actual coup d’état as the actions is not for free and fair elections. The peaceful actions are not there, as the FDC continues to get under fire as a visible unit of opposition; this here is not exemption. The Police oppression, harassment and tactical use for the NRM are so visible. We know IGP Kale Kayihura will write more nonsense to clean his hands from the actions of his police. Just as his boss President Museveni blames everything on everybody else, even if it is his fault. That is the way that he are and can’t help to do something else. Well, the people should know about the issues in general happening with the FDC, that Dr. Kizza Besigye continues to be under house-arrest is an issue, but there is also more oppression that needs to be addressed and put light on! Peace.

Campaign preview’s and updates on the ground in Uganda – The day before the day

There been the nominations days and harmonization of the campaigns with the Electoral Commission. So tomorrow is the official start to the long journey to 18^th February. They have already talked and commented about each other. Now the train has left the station and we will see how far the train goes of it ends well at the destination.

First- NRM in Luweero:

There have been pictures of the Yellow Buses arriving in Luweero without any joy of the locals. Also been reports of the Crime Preventers that was left behind in Kololo has been taken buses towards Luweero as we speak. So that they might get paid this time and also get a free t-shirt. So that the President has an eager crowd at the place! There are also reports that the NRM will treat the ones that show up a free lunch and transport to those who comes by the rally in town.

One Campaign plan by the NRM:

“The NRM is now on the move to Neutralize ‪#‎Goforward Msge saying they are the ones going forward and in effect it resonates with the No Change Slogan”.

Second – FDC in Rukungiri:

There have been reports that Dr. Kizza Besigye travelled through Ntungamo via Kahengye Bridge and continued through Nyakibare to Rukungiri Town. There been reports of supports walking from as long as 100 kilometers to stay over to take part of the election rally tomorrow! In the area the rally has called off work and become a Public Holiday in the area. The Kasiki has begun at the Fdc offices in Rukungiri in preparation for rally tomorrow today.

Later in the week some notices:

“All is set to welcome Col.(rtd)Dr. Kizza Waren Besigye Kifeefe to Kanungu on Thursday 12th.Nov.2015 – He is expected to arrive in the District on Wednesday evening and thereafter address his people via a Kanungu popular radio station KBS at 8:00pm. He will in the morning head to Mpungu to greet his people there and later pass Butogota where he will have a stop-over and greet his people. He will thereafter address a mega rally in Kihihi before heading to Kanungu Main Stadium for a final Mega rally in the evening” (Reports is saying so)

Third – Go Forward:

Muhamad Kikomeko who is a support of the Amama Mbabazi escapes death in Sembabule, a group attacked his car and burned his car.

The Amama Mbabazi rally will happen in Maska District.

Fourth and Fifth – Independent Candidates:

Tomorrow November 9, 2015 TIC Presidential Candidate Mr. Mabirizi Joseph and Mrs. Maureen Faith Kyala Waluube will hold various meetings in Iganga and Kaliro districts.

We have decided that the two cut costs and share resources – they will be campaigning on the same platform everywhere. Their time table is the same.

Tomorrow 9th Nov they are in Iganga and Kaliro. On Tuesday 10th – in Bugiri and Namayingo. On Wednesday,11th they will be in Jinja and Mayuge.

A Sidenote:

“Kagame on Nkurunziza: ‘What kind of president locks himself up, talks to no one — no one can find him — while bodies litter the streets?’”

Can’t wait for tomorrow! There will be movement on the ground and reports ticking in tomorrow. Can’t wait, not worth stressing about it before it ticks in and the campaigning will happen. An wonder how the people in the towns and villages around the areas where the Presidential Candidates are running their campaigns, not only also how the Tear-gas skirmishing police will deal with Leaders of Opposition, don’t expect any violence around the NRM campaign, but there rest there could be issues! Because the UPF has an history of going against the other ones. Peace.