Burundi parades alleged Rwandan spy (Youtube-Clip)

“Security forces in Burundi have paraded a man accused of being a Rwandan spy before journalists, as tensions between the two countries simmer amid a ten-month-long political crisis. The man, whose name was given as Corporal Rucyahintare Cyprien, was arrested on Monday near the Rwandan border, according to police spokesman Pierre Nkurikiye.”He was on a spying mission and it was the third such mission he carried out in Burundi,” said Nkurikiye, who added that the missions were intended to “dest…READ MORE : http://www.africanews.com/2016/03/13/… ” (Africa News, 2016)

“A Rwandan Affirms to be a Millitary Spy in Burundi”

“On this Saturday 12th March, the Burundian police has shown to the journalist a Rwandan who asserts to be a military spy of the Rwandan army with a grade of caporal, he was arrested on Burundi soil” (Iwacu Web TV, 2016).

Press Release: Number of Burundian Refugees Tops 250,000, Says UNHCR (07.03.2016)

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GENEVA, March 7 – With tension remaining high in Burundi, the number of people who have sought shelter in neighbouring states has now passed the 250,000 mark, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency notes, cautioning that people continue to flee and numbers could rise further.

UNHCR’s latest figures show that 250,473 people have been registered as refugees in Democratic Republic of the Congo (21,186); Rwanda (73,926); Tanzania (131,834); Uganda (22,330); and Zambia (1,197) since early April last year, when President Pierre Nkurunziza announced plans to run for a third term, which he later won.

The average rate of new arrivals per week is more than 1,000 in Tanzania, 500 in Uganda, 230 in Rwanda and 200 in Democratic Republic of the Congo. There have been small numbers of spontaneous returns.

Lusenda Burundi Refugee Camp

“Cool heads and continuing international attention are needed to avert further deterioration this year, and the right to leave the country and seek asylum should be respected,” UNHCR spokesperson Melissa Fleming told a news briefing in Geneva.

“Despite recent high-level efforts to engage the government, we have not seen significant improvement in the security and human rights situation on the ground. The deteriorating economic situation is also a cause for concern which could trigger further displacement,” she added.

“Although there has been a slight lull in violence recently in Burundi, refugees arriving in the host countries continue to report human rights violations and difficulty in leaving Burundi. We have also been receiving a growing number of refugee reports about detention and sexual and gender-based violence in transit,” Fleming said.

Some 1,700 Burundian refugees have arrived in Democratic Republic of the Congo so far this year, down on the 2,051 of October last year, but still a steady flow. Many are living in poor rural areas, where conditions are harsh, and about two-thirds (14,772) are in Lusenda camp, which is nearing its capacity of 18,000.

Overcrowding is a problem in all host countries, including Tanzania, which has taken in more Burundians than any other. Nyarugusu camp hosts some 143,000 people, including almost 80,000 who have arrived since last April. The decongestion of the camp is a priority and new arrivals go to Ndutu, while others at Nyarugusu are sent to the recently reopened Mutendeli camp. Another camp is planned at Karago, but capacity there and at Mutendeli is limited by insufficient water reserves.

Nakivale Refugee Camp Isingiro District

In Rwanda, close to 48,000 Burundian refugees are living in Mahama camp, the largest camp in Rwanda, and more than 26,400 in Kigali and other towns. As the insecurity persists in Burundi they are running out of savings, which will increase their need for assistance. The Rwandan government, meanwhile, has clarified that it has no plans to relocate Burundian refugees and will keep its doors open.

In Uganda, about two thirds of Burundian arrivals in the past year are being hosted in Nakivale Refugee Settlement (14,876) in the South-West Region, 21 per cent in the capital Kampala, and the remainder in Kyaka II, Oruchinga and Kisoro settlements.

Most are young women and children, with a disproportionately low number of young men. Work is under way to extend settlement areas at Nakivale and other locations. Access to water continues to be a problem and UNHCR is delivering by truck in Nakivale, which is costly and unsustainable.

As with the other asylum countries, funding is a major problem which is affecting access to education, health care, livelihoods, counselling and more, though Uganda allows people to work and travel.

UNHCR requested US$175.1 million for the Burundi humanitarian response in 2016 and has to date received US$4.7 million, or about 3 per cent. –UNHCR

Joint Communique: 17th Ordinary Summity of the East African Community Heads of State

17 EAC Joint Communique P117 EAC Joint Communique P217 EAC Joint Communique P317 EAC Joint Communique P417 EAC Joint Communique P5

“Why Africa has old leaders and young people?” (BBC News – Youtube-Clip)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u21sUOvyo2k

Why Africa has old leaders and young people. The recent election victory of Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has once again raised questions about term limits and democracy in some African countries. However, the Ugandan leader, who is entering his fifth term in office, is not the only one. The issue of presidential terms has caused public protests in Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo and in 2014 led to the ousting of Blaise Compaore, long-time leader of Burkina Faso. BBC Africa Business Report’s Matthew Davies looks at the contrast between Africa’s old leaders and its young population” (BBC News, 04.03.2016).

My Letter to President Museveni after the recent polls and post-election period; I am sorry, but not sorry; Mr. President you are a coward!

M7 2016 Post Interview quote

1st March 2016, Oslo

Dear His Excellency (H.E.) President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni!

It isn’t easy writing this letter to in this moment as your astonishing Police Force holds 300 FDC agents detained. At this moment Dr. Kizza Besigye is still under house-arrest, as you and your men does what you can destroy the evidence of a flawed election. That you claim to get 80 % of the votes; While your cadre Dr. Badru Kiggundu only gave 60%. If it was so, why were there more army men in the streets than people celebrating your massive victory? That meagre display of people happens after the Electoral Commission announced you the winner of the 5th official term on the 20th February; I am still not giving in, if you have this whole term: it is your 7th. His Excellency, I can’t shave of a decade of your rule that is disrespectful towards you.

I have a hard time writing this word about you His Excellency as a Bush-war leader, a man who has sent so many of his citizens into battles in South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Central African Republic and Somalia. It is hard to say your acting cowardly. Yes, President and commander-in-chief right now you’re acting as coward.

museveni 2016 Poster

I know that there are many decisions to take in and to live with. As how to feed your cows and how many cars you need to travel between Mbarara and Kampala. How many you need to hire in the Special Forces Command. That his hard questions. Also it is how to be able to make yourself yet again president of the country you have been ruling since 1986.

The world is looking at your actions Mr. President. The notion of your ways getting viral now, not like when you first took power and could control the media and the people; the people can now spread information. Before the Executive get time to edit the news and message you want spread to the general public. I know that is hard to swallow as you want to rule and have the power of their minds. This is something that differs from earlier times and even when you tried to stop the social media. We know you dislike the Social Media, so during the Election Day and such you really showed how much you hate it; there is still ways of broadcasting there without the ordinary channels that you blocked. I know that hurt your pride and that your “Yes Men” didn’t know about that technical solution. During the Election Day he was also a coward to make sure that Kampala and Wakiso District got the polling material very late, while in Amuru and Kisoro had it on time. So it was cowardly to not give the same treatment everywhere especially with the short distance from the Electoral Commission office and the central region. A very cowardly move… That was so disrespectful actions from the EC and the regime toward the most populace area in the country.

MuseveniQuote

Well, I called you coward Mr. President. I know that is disrespectful from a commoner like me. But the issue is that you’re disrespecting the people and the institutions you have facilitated. While attacking freedoms and liberty of other peoples in your country. That is why you’re a coward in my eyes. As you cannot and don’t have the ability to be questioned by your greatest opponent in court. Especially since you also selected the Electoral Commission and the way you have facilitated this General Election. The way the Police Force and Army has spread fear and been Partisan in your favour as they are on your pay-roll. All of this action’s shows that you’re a coward Mr. President, I know I am not supposed to say that, but I think you would understand as you didn’t give the opposition a same level between the opposition and your ruling party; The NRM your beloved NRM, Mr. President.

It is extraordinary how you have ordered the Police to rig the results and change the declaration forms, while detaining the FDC agents. That is because the original Polling Station forms would not be favour of you Mr. President. At the same time keeping the FDC Headquarter under siege and the house-arrest of Dr. Kizza Besigye; also keeping Hon. Amama Mbabazi under the same treatment on the other side of town. This proves your cowardice ways. As you could not manage the dirty laundry in public and put into systematic order during court sessions as the elections has been a shambles of procedure. Deep inside you, Mr. President you know, what I mean as you went to war because of rigged election. The rigged election of Mr. Paolo Muwanga in 1980 for Dr. Milton Obote. So that you do the same now proves how you have changed. The glory days are totally over for you!

Museveni Odoi EC Flag Bearer P2

Even with the Go-Forward and Amama Mbabazi petition. You’re still a coward. I mean that because you have acted cowardly. With surely cowardice ways of using all tools of oppression and governmental funds to secure the presidency! This is something you have prepared since the Kyankawazi Resolution during February 2014. That means that you have been two years ago. You have worked for the sole-candidacy and the road to the elections have showed you have become a coward. A sole-candidacy of a coward that can’t have a honest campaign or a honest result. Not even a honest speech or even honest pledges. As a coward you even had to recycle old pledges to look formidable in rural districts; that you only visit if there is rallies and campaigning Mr. President.

The disregard for the other parties to meet and consult their supporters for rallies and mobilization; while you could as president travel all around on government funded trips as a honourable gentlemen and leader. That proves your disregard and is a coward’s way of pre-campaigning.

The biggest coward move from you Mr. President was the booming hiring of unemployed youth in the Crime Preventers program. That was groups of youth used cowardly to intimidate opposition and the public, not securing the violent behaviour or security in general. Second cowardly behaviour was your Post-Election Violence budget and the new Personnel Armoured Vehicles (PAV) and special anti-riot vehicles just before the Election Day. That was cowardly of you and your brigade.

Museveni - Road building

It isn’t easy saying you’re a coward. While the behaviour of the state your sponsor and the men you have around you make you look like a coward. You’re not acting like a proud man. This election and result is not an honest victory, if it had been so Mr. President. It would be more than Uganda Media Centre had celebrated your victory and you hadn’t felt the need to be with your cattle instead of your celebrating people. That is actions of coward.

The coward’s way continued with ban of social media and using the Uganda Communication to shut down radios and broadcasters who was not positive to you. Another cowardly move is how the Police continue to arrest and harass the journalist who follows the elections and the candidates as the ones that have lost their cameras, the ones that been detained, the ones that has been shot and so on. As you the coward you are complained at the state of journalism and the ethics they had while following your campaign trail. At one point Mr. President you suspended NTV Uganda from your trail. Others has felt your wreath and been detained and had to delete photos. You even called all Ugandan Newspapers rubbish and said you only read headlines and looked at the pictures. If you read some newspapers you might read and understand how people really feeling about you. I am sure your listening to your “Yes Men” like Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, Hon. Ofwono Opono and Hon. Dr. Ruhakana Ruganda; they will only tell you what you want to hear and not the truth, Mr. President!

Uganda Term Limits Museveni

Another cowardly move is the use of tear-gas and use of violence. You have also used mental violence through your hate speeches and sectarianism; something that counter the vision of you; Mr. President and you even speaks with that rhetoric as you called people around Kampala “rats” days before Election Day. Also Mr. President it is cowardly to say you are the only one who can keep the country safe. That is cowardly as you play your safety card and telling nobody else can; as most of the citizens hasn’t seen anybody else being a President.

If I offended you by calling you a coward, than I am not sorry! I am more sorry for the people behind bars, just for their political allegiance or belief in universal human rights. It cowardly not to let them counter your policies and your security outfits. It is cowardly that you not let them speak up and give them that freedom. Even one human rights activist had teaching in Namutumba district got detained for doing so! That is not peaceful and security that talk when you can’t teach youth about human rights without ending behind bars. That is a coward’s move Mr. President.

As long as you militarize politics and uses military as a tool to secure your power in the country you’re not a legitimate president. So long you use the police to harass your opposition and civil society, even citizens who are caring about politics and going to rallies. You’re a coward Mr. President. Because all of this shows that you don’t have faith in your presence or your policies. Mr. President it is strange that you don’t believe in your own programs and political framework. As it seems not to be strong enough to bring the masses or gain you goodwill. That shows the moral authority that has dwindled away over time as you have yet to fulfil ten-point program. You’re such a coward that you trust more in the Army and Police than in the political program of his beloved party!

So it is a sorry state Mr. President, your Excellency that I can call you a coward. I could have given you lot words. But that is the most fitting in the way you have threaten your opposition, given fear to your people and rigged this election to come out with honour. You’re not legitimate until the petition is sealed. President Museveni you might have run your country since 1986, but from the start of the pre-election period your actions has been of a man who acts like a coward. The cowardly move was to even amendment to Financial Management Act to make sure you had enough cash for your campaign funds. It proves how big of a coward you are when your opposition had to get funds from supporters; while you had the government funds or state funds to pay for your ferrying crowds and giving NRM village funds.

Crime Preventers

So I hope more people than me will call for what you are now. I know this will not make me popular, like Andrew Mwenda who is your golden mouthpiece. The worst thing is that you can’t shut me down. Still as long as you treat you’re opposition, your citizens and your government as your own playground, than I will continue to address you as a coward. As it is well deserved as a man who is a hero and democrat does not need armies deployed on the streets during elections, a man who has the public behind him and their votes would see people celebrate and not mourn. A man who has the legitimacy does not need army instead of the people. But you have always relied one the guns and not the votes as you only got one MP under the election in 1980. Than you used the guns and you still do. You we’re seen as a hero from taking the people away from totalitarian and despotic rulers; but now your alike them. You’re a coward who can’t leave power and a coward with government institutions and a arms. That is what you are, not the proud man who built possible democratic institutions, but instead depleted the ideals you built them on. Be proud of that, Mr. President officially a coward who is soon sworn-in for his seventh term. Peace.

Best Regards.

Writer of Minbane.

Official Congratulations letter’s to President Museveni from South Africa (President Zuma, 22.02.2016), Rwanda (President Kagame, 21.02.2016) and Republic of Korea (President Guen-Hyen, 23.02.2016)

ZA Congs 22.02.2016

Rwanda Congs 23.02.2016

South Korea Congs 23.02.2016

President Kagame congratulates President Museveni after announcement of his 5th term

Kagame Museveni

Another one in the line of the men congratulating President Museveni after the announcement of his victory recently; President Paul Kagame shows his respect for his old ally. As the other ones who has congratulated him is the Russian Foreign Department, Both President Kiir and V.P. Riek Machar of South Sudan, President Kenyatta of Kenya, President Sheikh Mohamoud Hassan, President Jacob Zuma of South Africa, President Nkruanziza of Burundi, President Obiang of Equatorial Guinea and now the President of Rwanda.

This here is what’s has been said and written:

“In a diplomatic note sent Sunday to Uganda’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, Kagame said Museveni’s victory in the February 18 presidential elections is “certainly a reflection of the trust the Ugandan people have in your ability to lead them forward in their quest for prosperity and socio-economic transformation” (…)”According to officials at Uganda’s Foreign Affairs Ministry in Kampala, Kagame in his message told Museveni that Rwanda wishes him “success in your term of office, and remains ready to strengthen the excellent ties existing between our two brotherly countries” (Muhame, 2016).

This here proves the diplomatic ties between Uganda and Rwanda is still there and close as the faith President Kagame has in the leadership of President Museveni. He is ready to continue the progress as it gives the loyal friendship between them. For him it doesn’t matter if the Ugandan people had another will and wished another man to run the country. Peace.

Preliminary Statement: East African Community Election Observation Mission to the General Election of the Republic of Uganda held on the 18th February 2016 (20.02.2016)

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My letter to President Museveni on the recent polls and actions during the general election 2016

UPM Poster

19th February 2016, Oslo

Dear His Excellency (H.E.) President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni!

I write to you in this moment as you are in the midst of another turmoil called Ugandan elections. I know you are trying to ensure your kind of peace and your kind of democracy. Though we are many who disagree at what levels of freedom and validity of your concern of the ballots that the people of Uganda has casted during the last 48 hours in the country.

As you was the man who went to the bush for rigging after the 1980s. When the political platform Uganda Patriotic Movement which you founded Mr. President; was shattered in a well manufactured election by President Obote and his cronies. The same you are delivering today. The different are the amount of people, electronics, cellphones, parties, candidates, districts, cars and strength of the army. As you have seen the different the country is since you seized power in 1986.

You have gotten a Police Force and Special Force Command who kills and destroys; and in the end, doesn’t give assurance of safety; as the “mambas” and tear-gas thunder through streets; as they demolish and kills the democratic values the country supposed to have.

Museveni Butiaba 07112015

You as commander-in-chief and a fellow army-man even before the polls, in the weeks before pictures of you shooting rifles and later calling out that you was the only one who could keep Uganda safe; doesn’t speak of integrity of the laws and systems you put in place or the governmental structure you have been in charge of; if the legacy of your rule is that you couldn’t let anybody else become President in the country and have the ability to control the army. As if you have secrets in the army you don’t want the society to know.

Mr. President your continuation of detaining opposition leaders, presidential candidates, human-rights-activists, journalists and such does not speak of the free society for the peasants you wanted to liberate in the 1980s. It seems more like the society you wanted to free, have you now made in the same image as the your predecessors did. It does not speak of freedom or liberty seeing army men walking down with AK47 in broad-day light and taking ballot-boxes His Excellency! That sounds more like a totalitarian state and a police state. What was the hurry of the Special Forces Command the other day, when they had to take control of Nakasero Hospital on the day of polls?

Milton Obote_pic

Mr. President you did not only go to the bush for fighting against the vote-rigging regime of Obote, you went to war because of the knowledge of the Northern control or the Acholi in the army; this was even proved by Professor Gingyera-Pinycwa at Makerere in 1988. You have during your time turned the Government Officials, Army and Police into a Ankoli or Western-Ugandan people in the institutions, and the people connected to you Mr. President. You have made the state in the image of Obote!

Mr. President you have a flash car, flash air-plane, big-farm, own businesses, your brother Salim Selah own businesses, your daughter owns businesses and the Museveni family is interconnected in higher parts of life, the same as the cronies of the Obote, difference is that your family has been living for decades on the laurels of you His Excellency!

I beg you too see your ways and think about the values you talked about while being in the bush and the peoples who died for the reasons that the peasants deserved a government who truly represent them and tried to build society together with them. At some point you did, you even by narrow escape and people believed in you; the reforms and constitution and laws was positive. The reaction was that the country got more donor funding and strengthening of the army. Also a better relationship with the countries around as Idi Amin and Obote had offended Tanzania and neighbors.

Old Taxi Park 16.02.2016

The then peasants are now grown people and know all of your terms, known your rhetoric and how you have changed. Mr. President you have had the chance of going with glory, but your lingering into power has proven to be one of your sticking points, even if that beats your own words that was: “The problem of Africa in general and Uganda in particular is not the people, but leaders who want to overstay in power”. Today you are in a elections that if you wins you will start your official 5th Term, though I am coining it your 7th. I am sure you will disagree with me there Mr. President, but I have issues with taking away your first decade in power.

Mr. President I know it is much to ask as your wasn’t officially elected in 1986 and as if you get men to cook the ballots to fit you now; to think about what made you go to the bush in 1980, and what made the start of February 7th and 8th with the battle of Kakamba School and taking the town of Kiboga Town to take some guns for the guerilla warfare. This here should make you think of the progression and the state of affairs, as the army, elections rigging and governmental institutions are placed and made for you instead of the peasants you was out to liberate.

Uganda EC Wall

The lives that have died during the polls and during the pre-elections period should be a reminder of the way you have made the state of affairs right now. Mr. President you have done everything in your power to let out information by stopping mobile-money and social media; even if your own media-houses spread information through them. As you also will try to remember the opposition men and woman who has been hurt and gone by your army and police. Mr. President you serve your opposition as much as your own yellow brigade of yes-men even the people of Elegu close to South Sudan as much as the men in Kisoro close to Rwanda, the people of Bududa district; the people of Mbale and Tororo district and even in Kawempe, Kampala. Peasants and blue-collar men deserve security and not having “mambas” driving around making kids and parents afraid to buy splash at the Muhindi store down the street. The helicopter shouldn’t wake people up and look for people with pre-ticket ballot papers for you who hasn’t been counted. Mr. President! This here is your people and the people who at one point trusted you and thought you wanted them well. The times have change and the opposition should be given a chance as you were given. Mr. President you have represented them for ages, but you do not own the country or the people; I am sure Paul Ssemogerere would like to ask how you rigged the 1996 election. Those years nobody can’t take back, but at the same time; Uganda and Government of Uganda deserves a future!

NRM Muhanga Museum 4.1.2016 P3

Mr. President, as it seems by the rallies and the will of the people, you should give them a chance to have a positive change. Give the peasants and the people what is theirs. Their will and ballots, their representatives and their lives that has been altered by your orders and the way you have used government funds to get tear-gas and bullets, instead of medicines for hospitals and wages for teachers. You know this Mr. President and don’t think of it or haven’t been advised about it. Times for that to change as the people should be behind their President and be sure that the government entities as Army and Police working and hurting them now.

Mr. President the Army and Police is issuing and making violence against the people and not securing their homes as they are securing your power. That is not what 1986 was about. You know that Mr. President, the constitution of 1995 was not about your staying in power for life Mr. President. Mr. President this cannot be what legacy you want to live behind. You might write two editions of Sowing the Mustard Seed, but it is the people like me, who either build reputations or destroys it; As the truth of the different times of your regime Mr. President, the times has changed since 1986 and 2016. 30 years of power should be enough for any man. Mr. President do you remember the smile on the face of President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania when he gave-way to the new President of Tanzania? That is something that also could been you and the people would have remembered the big-man who had it in him to step-down and let new blood control the country. Mr. President I never expect you or any of your men to read my letter. Though I hope that somebody tells you the sentiment and the care; the concern of the state of affairs, the violence, the unnecessary deaths and the careless attacks on democratic values from the government entities.

Best Regards
The Writer of Minbane.

Second report as the first polls close in Uganda; with more tear gas; some demonstrations and other poll stations postponed; Dr. Kizza Besigye arrested yet AGAIN and more!

Kampala 18.02.2016

As the day has gone and some first results is coming. I will not comment on them now, as they are not as interesting as the reactions and violations of democratic values and vile display of disgrace of the public will from the authorities and the ruling party in Uganda.

As the Uganda Communication Commission together with Electoral Commission banned Twitter, WhatsApp and Facebook, even mobile-money transfers services. As this could give biased news and dangerous bribing of voters, as the voters has not been bribed during the pre-election period at all. Well, the public found other ways of finding the social media and avoid the issue with Uganda Telecom (UTL/Mango), MTN and Airtel. As they download different VPN services on their phone and still got in to the social media outlets. The actual numbers of downloads this day was staggering 1,432,653. By my reckoning also the apparent ghost that will also in total vote in the election when the tally is done.

VPN 18.02.2016 P2

At one point of the day the Special Forces Command took control of Nakasero Referal Hospital as it had a technical and importance for the authorities as the Presidential guards needed to secure the premises.

In Gaba a suburb of Kampala the public first waited for hours. This happen:

“In Gaba at St Dennis church a full box was brought with ballot papers already ticked in favor of the incumbent who triggered a riot by locals. Military, Police and black mamba security in tinted cars without number-plate were seen patrolling the place. Voting has ended”. As well as the actions contained this as well: “The voters set fire on all the ballots boxes brought”.

Gaba Kampala 18.02.2016 P1

Even early in the day there we’re little or no voting material in vast amounts of polling stations in Wakiso District and Kampala Capital City as the Electoral Commission hadn’t delivered the ballots-papers to the stations. As people came early as the voting starting 07.00 and was to end with the new time 16.00 but with the late arrival nearly at 13.00 or 14.00 even as late as 14.54 that gave the long waiting ques simmering anger at the incompetence or deliberate plunder of time of the people in the area. Even the with the UCC and Telecom bans the Electoral Commission wanted people on Social Media around 14.00 to tell that the Polling stations in the affected areas would be officially open to 19.00 as the people should be able to do their civic duty.

Gaba Kampala 18.02.2016 P2

In Kajanisi, Kampala a Police Officer was arrested and taken away as he held over 600 ballots-papers pre-ticket for the NRM and President Museveni.  Radio One report that Kajjansi B health center polling station in Kampala closed after 3 boxes with pre-ticked ballots in favor of President Museveni and Peter Sematimba were found in a car. Live Bullets in Namuwongo Taking Place. Police and Military Have Intimidated Voters hence forcing them NOT to cast their votes, remember, voting had just begun late at 2:03pm

As of Makindye:

“9:18PM Voting at 22 polling stations in Makindye affected by late delivery of voting materials postponed till tomorrow: Electoral Commission” (NBS TV, 18.02.2016).

In Fort Portal:

“At public library polling station in south division, Fort Portal, 450 ballot papers were received yet the number of registered voters is 429, an excess of 21 ballots. And yet Nyakagongo parish Headquarters in East division received less ballot papers than the number of registered voters. They received 10 booklets some containing 46 ballots, some 50 and others 49 instead of all containing 50 each booklet. There was a total of 500 ballot papers. They have 471 registered voters. They started voting at 7:15am Report: Scovia Atuhaire & Felix Basiime (Daily Monitor, 18.02.2016).

In Masaka:

“Polling agents in Kizungu, Masaka Sports Club have confirmed to Kampala FM that they were not given basins where voters will tick from. This has therefore delayed the voting process since they (agents) too can not afford buying basins” (Kampala FM, 18.02.2016).

More about elections in Masaka:

“‎Unindentified people have been with fifty Museveni pre-ticked ballot papers at Kaboyo Primary school polling station in Lwengo. The voters who were present at the polling station did not allow police to take the culprits and instead resorted to caining them. They were later on told to go back home and the pre ticked ballots were burnt”.

Kaabong 18.02.2016

In Karamoja:

“Karamojong tribeswoman casts her ballot at a polling station during the presidential elections in Kaabong in Karamoja region”.

Koboko 18.02.2016 Evelyn Anite Voting

In Koboko:

“NRM’s Evelyn Anite slips her ballot paper into the ballot box in Koboko Municipality in northern Uganda”.

Early in Apac Town today:

“Voting in Apac town area commenced by 07.10 am. Most polling stations have not had chaos yet, as they voted, Police are all round in Polling stations. Most of the busiest business centers are closed. The number of people in town has also gone down and a few petty businesses are going on” (Rupiny Newspaper, 18.02.2016).

In Arua:

“Last evening, 170 polling officials in River Oli Division in Arua district threatened to boycott work unless Electoral Commission increases their allowances. They include polling assistants and presiding officers. Geoffrey Drani, one of the affected presiding officers, told URN during their recruitment Electoral Commission promised to pay presiding officers Shillings 60,000 and 40,000 for polling assistants. He however, says they were shocked yesterday to receive appointment letters showing that they will receive Shillings 20, 000 each day. According to Drani, as a result, they have declined to sign the appointment letters until Electoral Commission increases the money”.

In Abletong:

“No incident has been registered while in Alebtong, Amolatar, Otuke and part of Lira districts by 9:00am the voting have not started despite the fact that many electorate turned up to cast to their votes.  “You cast you votes and you come back and continue with your business,” said Betty Akello shorting after voting at VH primary school polling station. Patrick Okello of Omoro Sub County in Alebtong said at Onyeroiye polling station business is going on well and the turned up was overwhelming. “We think the turned up will be 80% because people are voting seriously,” he said” (Rupiny Newspaper, 18.02.2016).

In Kween:

“Elections of the MP kween district have been postponed until further notice reason the symbols for the candidates didn’t match instead vice versa I mean interchanged for FDC was in independent and for independent in that of FDC”.

In Yumbe:

The Woman Parliamentary MP Vote for Yumbe was cancelled today! (88.7 Arua ONE FM, 18.02.2016).

Kahinda Otafiire

In Ruhinda:

If you ever thought Kahinda Otafiire would go away silent as the audio-tape of his bribing tactics as he tried to buy the seat from his opponent that beat him in the NRM Primaries during 2015. 2016, has not been his year and continues as he has been jailed today as he has been distributing bribes of UGX 20k to voters in Mitooma (theInsider.ug, 18.02.2016). Doesn’t seem that the UCC bribe act with stopping mobile-money service stopped Otafiire from acting up! (I was not supposed to write that or think that, my bad!).

In Kiruhura:

“The shame of Kiruhura, after yesterday all night harassment, detention and forceful eviction of opposition supporters in Kiruhura. Today what we are witnessing is, because of fear instilled on our supporters by the security and armed militias last night, they have stayed away from the polling stations”.

Tororo 18.02.2016

In Tororo:

“Police was forced to fire teargas to disperse hundreds of Apollo Yeri Ofwono’s supporters who had threatened to set a blaze the home of the prime minister of Iteso cultural union Paul Sande Emolot in Tororo municipality. Ofwono’s supporters raided Emolot’s home on suspicion that it was used to bribe residents to vote for the incumbent Member of Parliament Sanjay Tanna” (New Vision, 18.02.2016).

FDC 18.02.2016 Besigye Arrested

Later in the day Dr. Kizza Besigye arrested:

“Besigye was arrested when he joined his supporters and they stormed a house in Naguru, a Kampala upscale suburb arguing that there is alleged vote rigging taking place”. Kizza Besigye have after the arrest by the Police in Naguru, been taken to Kasangati Police Station. That is currently detained.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=735G3bn3AFI

“Video footage of an FDC raid on a reported safe house in Naguru being used to allegedly tick ballot papers led by Rtd. Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye in which he was also later arrested for trespassing” (NBS TV Uganda, 18.02.2016).

Shawn Mabiru says this about the detaining of Besigye:

“He was in his home district where he voted when he got information that there was an illegal tally centre manned by the NRM and police” (…)”He walked in and saw them pre-ticking ballot papers. They arrested him and took him to an unknown place”.

UPF 18.02.2016 Press Statement Tallying

In Lira yesterday:

“Lira Magistrate Court today released on Court bail seven people who were arrested over the weekend on allegation of defacing posters belonging to NRM Presidential Candidate Yoweri Museveni. Willy Omodo Omodo the GO Forward Candidate for Oyam North MP, Ibrahim Olong who is contesting for Lira Municipality Mayor and Abura James Walter Youth Councillor for Lira Municipality. Others are Mungu Richard Jakisa the News Editor at Radio North, Otim Innocent , Tile David and Patrick Awongo (Radio Wa 89.8 FM, 17.02.2016).

In Kihihi yesterday:

There was reports that the locals “delivered” and got a 100 Rwandan nationals ferried to vote in the election the 18th had come to Kihihi district to vote for President Museveni. They all stayed in Kihihi Police Station. As they wanted them to ship them home and let Ugandans vote in their election.

In Kayunga County yesterday as the government was kind yesterday:

“Kayunga District distributed more 66 heifers worth 102 million shillings to farmers under the Luwero Rwenzori Development Programme” (17.02.2016); the Government all of sudden share their funds just the day before the election, nothing suspicious about that at all…

Tally Error:

Nakasongola:

The magic is that President Museveni has gotten over 3000 votes while the original papers from the Electoral Commission are saying the total voters are 2098!

Rushere Primary School:

The tally shows another magical result for President Museveni he got 760 votes, Kizza Besigye 2 votes. The magical part is that the School and Polling station has 437 votes!

Fear level at certain places:

As the results are pouring in and the tallies are counted. The Army is deploying heavy forces in Luwero and Nakaseke!

AmamaNRMElection2016

Amama Mbabazi message during the elections today:

“I ask all voters in this election to keep vigilant and report any suspicious incident. I would like to thank the team from Karamoja that is vigilant and have reported the following anomalies. In Abim district, the District Registrar is withdrawing a Presidential booklet (50 ballots) from each polling station and taking to unknown destination claiming that some polling stations were in short supply/under served. We question this logic because it is not only President being voted for today but all Members of Parliament as well. There are 60 polling stations in Abim and this amounts to 3000 votes being taken away. South of Amudat in a place called Karita subcounty, our agents with polling agent letters and supervisors have been chased away by Crime Preventers who are armed. Tell us what is happening at your polling station” (Mbabazi, 18.02.2016).

There will come more in the coming days as the ministers, local council men and all the elections results will come and people will react to the new 10th Parliament and who will become the new president in Uganda, as the results hopefully get rid of President Museveni as his rigging time should be over and let the people’s will shine. Peace.