Elton Joseph Mabirizi Post-Election Statement (29.02.2016)

Mabirizi Debate16

Kampala, Monday February 29, 2016

I, Elton Joseph Mabirizi, independent presidential candidate and flag bearer of The Independent Coalition, TIC, congratulate the people of Uganda on turning up in large numbers to vote on February 18, 2016.

I salute the 23 former presidential aspirants who put Uganda first, and backed my candidature. Through their individual and collective effort, we were able to present our campaign messages and to receive votes from every single district of Uganda. We ran a very challenging campaign that lacked equipment and money. But we were efficient.

We completed the race with honor. We did not win the election. We instead proved ourselves as front line stakeholders in Uganda’s democratic struggle. It is in this capacity that I issue this statement. We are not spectators. TIC and I are actors, and will continue to be, in the struggle for true democracy, justice and the rule of law to be established in Uganda.

On February 20, 2016, the Chairman of the Electoral commission declared Mr. Yoweri Museveni winner of the 2016 presidential elections. This is a shame. Mr. Museveni did not win this election. Besides, Dr. Badru Kiggundu, as all reports from local and international observers have indicated, presided over an election that was neither free, fair not credible.

Our own records obtained from our agents countrywide and from our colleagues with whom we cooperated in vote protection attest to the sad fact that the results announced by Dr. Kiggundu were and are a deplorable forgery.

The Independent Coalition and I reject these results. We consequently demand the immediate resignation of Chairman Kiggundu and his commissioners.

Working with our colleagues and partners, we shall challenge this result using all constitutional means available to us, until the stolen victory is reversed and handed back to the true winner of this election. In doing so, we shall not allow ourselves to be intimidated, coerced or blackmailed.

The nation is at cross roads. Something must be done quickly.

NTV 20.02.2016

To manage the scandal that was committed by Dr. Kiggundu and to avert possible violence, we propose the following:

a) Annulment of the declaration of Mr. Museveni as winner

b) For the avoidance of doubt, a vote recount be conducted, as national demand, as there was no tallying worth its name at the national tally center at Nambole, but periodic announcements of forged results. Results from at least 1700 polling stations were selectively not tallied.

c) To save the country and petitioners from the huge expenses of a court petition whose outcome is not likely to be different from that of 2001 and 2006, we propose an out of court settlement that involves a public hearing on the conduct of the 2016 Presidential election, during which all evidence of electoral irregularities will be presented and analyzed.

d) To halt preparations for the swearing in of the winner that never was.

e) To seek interpretation and guidance from the constitutional court on the matter of the likely event that the public hearing may not have been complete by May 2016

f) Return of the Army to barracks and to substantially reduce the presence of other armed personnel from the streets and some villages, which has created an atmosphere of intimidation, fear and siege.

g) Release all persons arrested on election related offences. Many of these have not been produced in court. Those that are already remanded through the court system should be produced in court as soon as possible and granted court bond.

h) Immediately remove the siege on Dr. Kizza Besigye residence and to guarantee his right of free movement within Uganda and abroad.

i) Establish a Contact Group on the Post-Election Situation comprising at least two representatives from each presidential candidate’s camp, Uganda Police Force, other security agencies, civil society, faith communities and other stakeholders to take care of emerging conflicts and security issues on a daily basis, during this period of uncertainty.

j) The Elders Forum, Inter Religious Council of Uganda, National Consultative Forum, and Inter-party Organization for Dialogue should jointly convene an urgent meeting of stakeholders to agree a minimum agenda for diffusion of tension.

k) All stakeholders meeting as in (j) above, should sign a declaration pledging peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict and desist from inciting the public into actions that could lead to break down of law and order, as an amicable solution is being sought.

For God and My Country.
Elton Joseph Mabirizi

Press Release: Uganda – Violations against opposition party impeding its efforts to contest election outcome (29.02.2016)

KB 25.02.2015

LONDON, United Kingdom, February 29, 2016. The Ugandan government is continuing to violate the human rights of leaders of the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and undermining the ability of their party to legally challenge the results of the 18 February elections, said Amnesty International in a statement, as the 10-day deadline for filing presidential election petitions looms.

Security forces have repeatedly arrested the aggrieved presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye, and some of his party leadership colleagues and supporters. They have also besieged his home, and raided the party’s main office in the capital Kampala.

“The FDC has a legal right to challenge the election results and it must be allowed to do so,” said Sarah Jackson, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for East Africa, the Horn and the Great Lakes.

“It is unacceptable for the government to stifle a lawfully-registered party from pursuing the only legal recourse available for it to contest the electoral outcome.”

Since the results were announced, Dr Besigye has been detained without charge at police stations or at his home in Kasangati, near Kampala.

His first post-election arrest was on 22 February, as he attempted to leave his home the day after he had suggested in a televised speech that he would challenge the outcome of the election in the Supreme Court.

“These arbitrary arrests are an affront to Dr Besigye’s right to freedom of movement and a clear sign of the prevailing climate of impunity and disregard for rule of law in Uganda,” said Sarah Jackson.

“The Ugandan government must fully and effectively respect its own constitution, and honour its voluntary international obligations to protect every Ugandan’s human rights, including to freedom of movement, freedom of expression, and freedom of peaceful assembly”.

Background

On 20 February, the Electoral Commission declared incumbent President Yoweri Museveni winner of the presidential election with 60.75% of the vote as opposed to Besigye’s 35.37%, an outcome Dr Besigye dismissed as fraudulent.

The election took place amidst a government-ordered social media shutdown that according to European Union (EU) election observers “unreasonably constrained freedom of expression and access to information”.

According to the police, Dr Besigye’s continued arrest was made under powers of “preventive arrest” for “utterances and activities that amount to incitement to violence and defiance of the law”. Amnesty International has examined Dr Besigye’s televised remarks and does not consider him to have incited violence.

FDC headquarters were raided by police on 19 February, while elections were ongoing in parts of Kampala. Witnesses interviewed by Amnesty International said police officers fired tear gas canisters at crowds gathered at the scene.

Bwanika criticizes EC for mishandling elections (Youtube-Clip)

“Former presidential candidate Abed Bwanika has criticised the manner in which the electoral commission handled the electoral process. Bwanika said the commission has failed to give an account of how the tallying was done and what caused the irregularities registered on the presidential polling day. While addressing journalists in Kampala, Bwanika said he would headed to Kasangati to visit former FDC Presidential candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye who is under heavy police guard and movements restricted” (NTV Uganda, 29.02.2016).

The Jobless Brotherhood statement on the Yellow Pig outside the State House (29.02.2016)

Jobless Brotherhood Statement 29.02

Some reports on the post-election clashes in Bundibugyo

Bundibugyo 28.02.2016

There some NRM propaganda and certain nonsense going out saying it is reported to FDC or P10 people behind this clashes as they are the ones responsible while this is a reaction; the rigging in Fort Portal that reacted the groups that has clashed before. The last big clash that caught national attention was in 2014 when the Police and Army went in when it escalated between the groups as the sub-region.

Reports:

“Suspected electoral tribal clashes has hit Busaru sub county in Bundibugyo leaving at least 17 people dead as per police reports. Locals however tell the Investigator the number is higher. The clashes between the Bamba and pockets of Bakonjo have hit the villages of Bubandi, Bumaddu, Nyahuka and Buhindu leaving 15 homes torched and over 400 fleeing for their dear lives” (The Investigator, 27.02.2016).

Bundibugyo 27.02.2016

Second Report:

“50 arrested over Bundibugyo post-election clashes. 12 killed during clashes, over 300 people have already fled their homes. Police have been deployed to restore calm” (URN, 27.02.2016).

Certain rumors for the actions in Bundibugyo:

“That minority king of Bundibugyo, Ntabazi and the ousted chairman five are the ones causing violence in Bundibugyo the chairman deceived the Bamba that if Mr. Mutegeki won their kingdom would lose weight. The omudingiya(king) said,he would undress his crown if Mr. Mutegeki and finally passed the elections.to a surprise they all passed.so there is fear the Bakonzo are deing for voting Mr Mutegeki.(truth everyday)who is causing the problem”.

Bundibugyo 27.02.2018

There been reports that this stems from the change of the ballots and rigging the result after the Electoral Commission changed the results. This here is footage proving the counting of the result from the Busaru sub-county in Bundibugyo, Mr. Mutegeki was supposed to elect but the incumbent Jolly got the place and after that the violence escalated.

Here is the evidence:

“As ‪‎Okware this is my proof to show that ‪Hon. Mutegeki Ronald is the newly Elected LC V chairperson ‪#‎Bundibugyo in addition to today’s monitor and last night’s bulletin on NTV-Uganda at 9:00pm. let Jolly’s team produce evidence”

So the public should know what has happen and that is what not a P10 actions that put this in motion, but the NRM-Regime rigging, and the aftermath was a natural as the locals could not accept the defeat. Especially when the results is not the ones that people expected it to be, the sad thing is the people who lost their lives and the people’s fled their homes. This here is sad story of violence that is unnecessary deaths because of election rigging. What worries me is the way the NRM-Regime and their loyal subjects supress the media with bias. Telling it is Power 10 groups who has done it; without any information blaming Besigye and other officials as they don’t have the manpower or the structure. The ones with guns and mambas are the police, army and crime-preventers not the P10!

Something not needed and proves yet again that the Electoral Commission have done something vile. While they have forgot the outcome of their rigging. That certain men and woman might take revenge or vengeance. Especially in areas like this where they have gone violent before and done skirmishes because of tribal codes. That is why the government should work for unity and for their will, not for the will of one man and his cadres as the President Museveni continues to work for himself and his power. Not the people, and the people of Bundibugyo is the ones that suffers. Peace.

Discussion: My thoughts on a Power-Sharing deal between President Museveni and Dr. Kizza Besigye

m7, besigye

This here is something that has surfaced after Gen. Benon Buta Biraaro entered the premise and compound of Dr. Kizza Besigye on the 26th of February 2016. This is just days after the announcement of victory of President Museveni on the 20th February from the Electoral Commission.

So that the days of arrests and detaining of Dr. Kizza Besigye together with the oppression of the opposition party and his loyal officials and agents has been violated and arrested for following up on a flawed and a fraud of an election. The violence and police utilization as a tool to oppress the men who has declaration results forms from the districts agents as the candidates are getting to validate the counting of the ballots from the district before being announced and getting the right verdict of the will of their constituency. This here says it all when the police follows the men and trying to get the FDC officials and agents jailed and at gun-point or to rewrite the forms to fix the malfunction from the registered outcome that was announced from the Electoral Commission; it is in this context there have been talked about the opportunity to have talks to make President Museveni still in power, while giving Dr. Kizza Besigye to become his Vice President (V.P.) in a new government.

Biraaro UGDebate16

Let me be clear: this comes as the presidential candidate of the Farmers Party Gen. Biraaro have been at Kasangati home of Besigye; there been reports of meetings between Inter-Religious Council of Uganda and the Commonwealth Observer Group leader and former Nigerian President Olesegun Obasanjo, as he is supposed to mediate between President Museveni and Dr. Kizza Besigye; he is supposed to be able to talk them both into a deal that with power-sharing and keeping the peace between the persons in question.

Zim 2008

This here happen between Morgan Tsvangirai of Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and President Robert Mugabe of Zanu-PF this happen after 200 dead and violent election during 2008 after a fraudulent election that opposition leader Tsvangirai was expected to have won as his popularity had risen in the public, while the economy had gone bonkers. Thabo Mbeki the President of South Africa mediated in this crisis of leadership and got the deal between the parties, where Tsvangirai accepted becoming the deputy in a coalition government that one that still President Mugabe controlled.

Salva Kiir Poster

In the South Sudan there been issues in the leadership between the fractions of the Sudan People Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/SPLA) as they even have an outfit that is SPLM in Opposition (SPLM-O). This is as the power-struggle between President Salva Kiir and Vice-President Riek Machar; they had even used arms against each other. So when they signed a peace-agreement that was settled during the winter of 2015, has stopped the months on months with violence and destruction in the country. President Kiir has become of this also made his former enemy and now Vice President Machar. He was re-appointed after on the 12th of February 2016.

FDC HQ 19.02.2016 Police Siege

This here shows examples of it of power-sharing deals between the ruling-party and the opposition. That is the dream of some people now as the tension is running high while the Police is harassing and detaining the FDC party officials and agents. While house-arresting Dr. Kizza Besigye since the Election Day; so that he cannot file in the petition to counter the declared results of the election results. Something that President Museveni and his security outfits works to stop by any means these days and also destroy the evidence of the actual rigging of the 18th February 2016.

The way the Police have deteriorating the opposition after the elections. So they could not gather their evidence and they continue to arrest candidates agents; as they try to deliver evidence and Declaration Results Forms to the Central Organization to secure the evidence and gather the basics to the petition. If you think this kind of actions talks of somebody who want to share power. Then your blind man trying to lead another blind man; that will lead the government with somebody else, seems more like a man who wants to own the executive position. Especially also his own words for the opposition and blame of stifling development on MPs, Opposition MPs and LCV of Opposition is usually the reason for the wrong kind of development. The last straw was when he wrote in the article on the 27th February that the opposition is an “endangered species”. That says what kind of methods he will use together with the “knock-out” victory he proclaim in the article is just wild-talk from a President.

Missing boxes 20.02.2016

If President really wanted to have dialogue and actually honor Dr. Kizza Besigye and his FDC; than he hadn’t constantly stopped his movement and opportunities to make a petition or meet fellow officials to make a best casework possible. This here is viable and exercise of violent behavior that does not give credible and legitimacy for President Museveni. Except for his loyal cadres and payed mouth-pieces; the ones that has accepted his salaries for being there for the NRM and the Government under the Museveni umbrella, it is not like that will change with Dr. Kizza Besigye as V.P. The only result of such a match is to give credit to the fraudulent elections and kiss and make-up. But not do a substantial groundwork and honor the voters that were not taken care of during the Election Day and the tally that followed.

I do not believe that this is a good idea. For the simple argument: Legitimacy of a NRM-Regime and the NRM led Government. I stay clear on that point as the results has been deliberately cooked while mouthpiece of NRM Andrew Mwenda blames on twitter that opposition is lying; Mr. Mwenda there to many perfect scores and polling stations that doesn’t make sense; especially that 100% for Museveni in 133 stations, every single registered person, living and dead, every ballot and not a single invalid ballot. For some strange reason Mr. Mwenda every single ballot in those polling stations went to President Musveni! That is an amazing achievement when NGOs and CSOs who followed the elections claimed that the voter educations was lacking and missing during the pre-election period. So there are certain and even more questionable acts of fraud as the Declarations Results Forms that has altered so they can be compared to the released result from the Electoral Commission. And the voter intimidation and the way the army and police acted accordingly even facilitated rigging in certain areas, questions also the faith in the ballots and the tally result from this presidential election exercise. And with all of that mind; the FDC and Dr. Kizza Besigye should not legitimize a government who got power in that way, and by house-arresting their presidential candidate days in and days out without a warrant or reason.

The only one earning on this President Museveni and his NRM, by trading away a ceremonial position of the Vice President; silencing the opposition and their claims while still having the Executive power. The same way President Mugabe through thorough negotiations gave the V.P. to Morgan Tsvangirai, but got little legitimacy and even credit for sorting out peace between political parties. That gave him also time to give more power and access to it to the Executive. That is the same way would happen with President Museveni and instead of Mbeki negotiating the agreement; It would be Obansanjo. He is not the kind who serve power away and if a person get to much of following. And that follwing not beeing directed  to him or he feels that person has to much control in the NRM; then he clips your wings. Just as he has done in the past with Gilbert Bukenya and Amama Mbabazi; they are the essential former loyalist to NRM and Museveni, but is now outplayed by their former master.

Obansanjo Uganda 2016

In the same way President Museveni would have done with Dr. Kizza Besigye. At this point former Nigerian President Obasanjo should just take a ticket home to Lagos instead of trying to mediate between the NRM and the FDC. As this here is a stalemate and deserve to be one until justice and rule of law is followed; not only orders from President Museveni. That is the tale of the day and the way the Police and Army uses to oppress the opposition.

As he has said he wants to destroy the opposition and make them go away as they are burden to his rule. And when a President has that kind of wish and does not respect the ballots or electoral reform that does not fit him. Why should the opposition give him the honor of legitimizing his stay in power?

Museveni Debate16

Dr. Kizza Besigye, Amama Mbabazi, Olara Otunnu, Norbert Mao and all the other opposition leaders should shun the President and not honor him. Instead they should stay away from or not negotiate with him, until justice prevails and the truth of the matter get to the surface as the blatant disregard for the election from the regime is obvious and carefully orchestrated and taken care of to secure President Museveni, not the will of the people, just as Dr. Milton Obote did what he could to secure his will in 1980 election.

Kigwa Leero!  Peace.  

Footage from the General Election of 1980 in Uganda (Youtube-Clip)

What do you think and does it sound similar, doesn’t it? Back to the Future President Museveni Style! Peace.

Dr. Kizza Besigye went to All Saints for Service; detained straight-away after Service at Kiira Road P.S.; Before escorted back to Kasangati for more House-Arrest!

Kizza Besigye 28.02.2016

This day started as it has done in the recent days at the besieged Kasangati in Wakiso District, where Dr. Kizza Besigye is under house-arrest with heavy deployment of the Police; the Police have sealed of the area and getting people detained for trying to get to the house of the presidential candidate.

Today Reverend Augustine of Namirembe Diocese in Kampala has arrived at Dr. Besigye’s residence to pick and take him to church at All Saints. First the Police officers around the home would not allow him to leave the compound. Even with the reverend taking him there!

Kizza Besigye 28.02.2016 P2

The good news before the church-service is the people turned around the car of Kizza Besigye, just as they did during the campaign and pre-election period. While the fear was gone even when he was escorted by heavy police presence like he was the most dangerous person in Uganda!

Even the Journalist have to discuss the oppertunity to monitor the situation:

“Following “serious consultations”, journalists have been allowed to enter All Saints Cathedral with their phones and cameras” (NBS TV Uganda, 28.02.2016).

All Saints 28.02.2016 KB

After some time:

“Let’s all head to All Saints, Nakasero for prayers with Dr. Kizza Besigye. He’s been released after thirty minutes of waiting and phone calls from “above” (Forum for Democratic Change, 28.02.2016).

The message from the Service at the All Saints:

“Rev Dr. Medard Birungi leading service at All Saints Cathedral Nakasero falls short of declaring Kizza Besigye president!” (…)”Uganda is going to be a nation of One Uganda One People Moving Forward in Steady Progress” (…)”God is going to punish this country. Because what is going on in Uganda is against God’s will. All institutions are dead. Hospitals are dead, school system is dead ……ooh God the Electoral Commission. …. (he pauses) Yamaweeeee….!! This nation is dead, it needs to raise again. The Uganda electoral commission…how can people go to a polling station, they vote for a person but EC declares a different person. What is going on is treating symptoms. Beating demonstrators is not a solution to Uganda. You need to ask yourself why people are demonstrating then solve the problems. God is weeping over this nation. He is weeping over Kampala today. Jesus will never leave u alone. When EC steals your election, just call the Lord and say JESUS WILL NEVER LEAVE ME ALONE!” (…)”There are people who celebrated when Jesus died on Friday but on the 3rd day, they melted like ice. Those who had put a big stone on the grave could not understand what happened.” (…)”He told a story of the disaster he went through when his team Liverpool was playing the Champions League final against AC Millan. The first half was a disaster. Liverpool had been beaten 3:0. But then the 2nd half started and Liverpool charged. At the end of it Liverpool was champion” (…)“I tell you my brothers and sisters your second half is coming. Just stay focused and steadfast. You are going to be the champion.” (Forum for Democratic Change, 28.02.2016).

All Saints 28.02.2016 KB P2

Then when he was leaving the church and the service, the Police went back to normal. The Police force started to tow his car on Nakasero Road and make sure that Dr. Kizza Besigye would not go home directly to Kasangati.

Kizza Besigye Message after the Service today:

“Glad that for first time in a week I left home. Attended All Saints church service. Now detained at Kiira Rd Police Station”.

Kiir Road 28.02.2016

Kampala Metropolitan spokesperson Partick Onyango has uttered these beautiful quotes on the detaining of Kizza Besigye at Kiira Road Police Station:

“Kizza Besigye is not arrested or detained but he is a Kiira Road Police Station he is “chatting with people”. Well, the spokesperson continued: “Kizza Besigye wanted to go home via the Kiseka Market is a “hotbed of strikes”. If you thought he was done Onyango said this to: “he is still free as a bird”. MR Onyango a free bird doesn’t ask permission to go to church or get his car towed. I think somebody should give you permission to talk, since you have today just talked nonsense.

KB 28.02.2016 Car Towed

Back to house-arrest:

“Dr Kiiza Besigye back at his Kasangati home after police escorted him there following brief detention at Kira Police Station” (NBS TV Uganda, 2016).

If you wonder about the security detail to his place from Kampala to Kasangati:

“There are now three road blocks to KB’s place, One is in Lutete before you reach Kasangati, the second one is in Kasangati trading center, the third is on the route that branches off to KB’s home, Police thoroughly checks each and every vehicle, if you miss the first and second road block minus being netted, you will definitely be netted on the third one and they (police) will immediately disperse you” (Paisely, 28.02.2016)

So things are back to normal, he got a brief time of some strange sort of freedom and feel the presence of people and the country where he was campaigning for the cause of liberty and justice. Something that he still does not have; the Police continues to keep him on lock-down and under siege in his own home. This Sunday was rear, but still only a bliss moment of normalcy, but the totalitarian state that is now under control of President Museveni could not see Dr. Kizza Besigye walking around with the people as they surrounded him just on the way to Church. Peace.

The obvious similarities between the 2016 Elections and the 1980 Elections; President Museveni should be proud!

M7 rescue

There been saying that there are similarities between the 1980s General Election and 2016 General Election when it comes to the Presidency and Parliament. Because of that I have checked and read some reports. Here is stories from the 1980 General Election, as the stories comes out and this here is not from articles from New Vision or Daily Monitor, this here is direct reports or educational-papers, even the international media and some of the people involved in the matter like Yusuf Lule and Paolo Muwanga. But there are lots of questions still, but the certainty of British involvement in the result and the outcome has surely come to mind. Here is some information and not just mere speculation to how the General Election went.

Background to the General Election 1980:

“Thus assured of support, Obote now moved in fact to destabilize the UNLF Government in Uganda. In this he found an ally in the Military Commission of the UNLF, whose Chairman Paulo Muwanga and Vice-Chairman, Yoweri Museveni, joined hands to stage a coup against the UNLF in May 1980. But Museveni was out maneuvered by the Obote-Muwanga clique. The latter rigged the December 1980 elections in their favor” (…)”Britain, in tum, manipulated the Commonwealth to send an “Observer Group” to witness the elections – a ploy that served to “legitimize” Obote’s victory, and thus secure the official suppon of all members of the United Nations and the OAU. Needless to add, Britain was the first country to recognize Obote’s fraudulent victory. Margaret Thatcher convinced the Americans to back the regime and to give the green light for IMF stand-by credits. The full regalia of a neo-colonial restructuring of Uganda was opened in front of all eyes to see. Obote was “the man of the hour”. Whilst Britain played a key role in legitimising Obote (through the mediation of the Commonwealth Secretariat), and later in providing him with assistance to train his army, the role other imperialists played must also be mentioned. The Germans, and in particular the Christian Democratic Party and its foundation the Konrad Adenaur Foundation, all linked with German monopolies, have had an historical interest in Uganda, and close ties with the mainly Catholic Party, the DP. They decided that in the interest of protecting broader Western interests in Uganda, Obote’s election “victory”, though fraudulent, must be recognized. The CDU played a significant role in convincing the DP to accept Obote on the grounds that since Obote had offered to “respect” a “multi-party system”, the DP still had a chance in the future” (Tandon, 1987).

Muwanga

From the 11th December 1980 Proclamation:

“The Chairman of the Military Commission, Mr. Paolo Muwanga, has issued a declaration regarding the confirmation of who shall be considered as having been elected a member of Parliament following the end of the 1980 General Elections” (…)”Any results declared otherwise than in compliance with the provision of the declaration shall not be valid or binding in any publication or such purported result by any means whatsoever” (…)”For the purpose of the 1980 elections to the National Assembly, section 47 of the National Assembly (Elections) Act shall be substituted by the following: “47A(a) when the result of the poll of a constituency has been ascertained, the returning officer shall make no public declaration of the finding but forthwith communicate it to the Chairman of the Military Commission with a confidential report on various aspects of the conduct of the election” (Muwanga, 1980).

The official Results:

1980s Election Results

Yusef Lule claims this:

“I accepted the cabinet on an interim basis. Once I got to Uganda. I shuffled my cabinet and brought in better people. In the 69 days, I tried to rectify the mistakes. For example, one of the roots of troubles in Uganda has been the recruitment of the army from only a few ethnic groups. The British had started this for their own reasons. But as soon as I was President in Uganda, I ordered the recruitment of soldiers from all elements of the population to make it a national army. Nyerere and Obote immediately saw their plan to sieze power after a year might be thwarted. From the moment on Nyerere withdrew from me the support of the Tanzanian troops that controlled the country” (…)”Nyerere insisted that Lule must resign even though the Consultative Council had no legislative powers. (Indeed, the Ugandan High Court ruled, in October 1980, that Lule’s removal had been unconstitutional)” (…)”Since then have come the Uganda elections of December 1980 and much fighting. Lule is highly critical of the Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) because they issued their much-publicized interim report stating the voting had been relatively free and open, before the results of the polls had been announced” (…)”After the Commonwealth statement, Muwanga, contrary to his supposedly neutral role, intervened in the electoral affairs by suspending the announcement of growing victory of anti-Obote forces, and declaring victory for Obote. Muwanga became Obote’s Vice President and Defence Minister” (…)”After the ballots had been counted in Gulu, the permanent secretary – a close friend – called up  Mrs. Aliker in Nairobi to congratulate her on her husband’s victory by 40,000 votes against 3,000 for his opponent. The tide was running heavily toward the anti-Obote forces. Then Paulo Muwanga announced suspension of the results. There was immediate tension. When Radio Uganda came on air the next day, they first announcement was that in Gulu, Dr. Martin Aliker had been defeated by 40,000 to 3,000. The candidate falsely announced as the winner refused to believe the result” (Munger – Lule, 1983).

Obote

Another story of the 1980 elections:

“Meanwhile, in Uganda, controversy raged over the electoral arrangements, amid an increasingly febrile and violent atmosphere. While under the supervision of the Electoral Commission, the actual mechanics of the election were largely in the hands of the administration – in a continuation from late colonial practice, each district commissioner was the returning officer for all constituencies in his district, and was in effect in control of the hiring and supervision of electoral staff. Just over a month before the election, 14 of Uganda’s 33 district commissioners were dismissed and replaced by men appointed directly by the Military Commission; soon afterwards, Obote publicly warned civil servants to ‘stop frustrating the UPC election efforts’.  One man who was a young UPM activist at the time recalled that in his constituency, the district commissioner set about ensuring that all polling staff were UPC supporters” (…)”well over 80% of the registered voters in most places, which meant that rather more than one quarter of the total population voted. This a remarkable number in a country where slightly more than half the population were under 18, while one constituency saw a 103% turnout. Such figures might seem to suggest wholesale ballot-stuffing, and it seems likely that there was some local malpractice involving multiple voting and/or stuffing. But if there was manipulation, it appears to have balanced out, because turnout levels were generally consistent across UPC and DP strongholds.In Buganda, where the UPC suffered more or less complete electoral annihilation, the turnout was as high as it was in the UPC heartlands in the north(the 103% came here). Tito Okello, the commander of the UNLA, ‘praised Ugandans for their peaceful attitude and love for political progress’ and called the election ‘a day of rebirth when Uganda will once more have its rightful place in Africa and the world community’” (…)”The Electoral Commission had, however, fallen silent; its secretary had gone into hiding (and fled the country two nights later) and the rest of its members temporarily vanished from the office.  When it resumed the announcement of results, these showed a very substantial UPC victory. In the end, UPC secured 74 seats, against 51 for DP and 1 for UPM; though in terms of the overall vote, the DP secured more votes overall. The process of tallying at a constituency level had been largely unobserved, since the Observer Group had returned to Kampala on 11 December and – following an outbreak of shooting around their hotel that evening – were largely withdrawn on 12 December” (…)”In his memoirs, the senior British member of the Observer Group, Robert Wainwright, comforted himself that Obote would have won anyway, even had he not cheated in the nominations. Obote’s biographer, citing the Observer Group report, insisted that Obote had won the election simply because of its ‘superior organization’, and dismissed accusations of malpractice as unfounded”  (Willis).

In 1981:

Mr. Obote’s party gerrymandered voting districts, delayed opposition candidates past deadlines for qualifying and in the end shut down a public tally of votes to simply announce victory over national radio. In the last two weeks, the Obote administration also has closed five opposition newspapers” (…)”We are going back on a course we thought we had left, just as things were under Amin,” said Paul Ssemogerere, leader of the opposition Democratic Party. A Democratic Party member of Parliament, John Magezi, said in an interview this week that: ”I’m not sure I understand what’s happening myself. This isn’t even third world politics; this is fourth world.” (…)”The most serious threat to the Obote regime is thought to be a rebel force led by Yoweri Mseveni, who was a member of the six-member military commission that ruled Uganda until the election. Making War From the Bush” (…)”Mr. Mseveni was the only man on the board who did not support Mr. Obote. He formed a political party, but he was trounced in the election that he is convinced was stolen by Milton Obote. Now he is in the bush – with a force of five thousand, he claims – preparing for a major offensive unless the Obote administration steps down” (Jaynes, 1981).

NRA marching to Kampala 1986

In 1982:

Without the investment budget, the economist said, Uganda’s chances of economic revival look slim. But frequent reports of violence, perpetrated particularly by Government troops, may make potential investors wary. And thus a vicious circle could be created with economic discontent fueling the problems that block economic revival. Many Ugandans still live in poverty. Dispute Over 1980 Election” (…)”Neither do the insurgents seem to offer an immediate alternative to the present Government. The guerrillas undoubtedly have considerable support among the Baganda people around Kampala, who form the nation’s largest single ethnic group. The Baganda have been opposed to President Obote since he banished their king during his first term of office, from independence in 1962 until his overthrow by Idi Amin in 1971. Mr. Obote returned to power in elections in December 1980, which the Baganda opposition charges were rigged, and which Mr. Obote says vehemently were free and fair”  (…)”The President himself asserts that, were the guerrillas to achieve their aims and install a Baganda leader, then the rest of the country – which, he says, voted solidly for him in the 1980 election – would rise up in revolt” (Cowell, 1982).

Certain Acholi feelings about the 1980s:

“This was followed by several short lived junta administration (governments) till the 1980 general election that was generally disputed by the majority of Ugandan political parties that participated. They claimed that the election was “not free and fair”. This led to a re-organization once more into another liberation movement that struggled till 1986 when they finally succeeded in capturing political power by force of arms. In this struggle, some members of the then defeated army were either taken as prisoners of war or voluntarily joined liberation movement or settled back home while a section regrouped in the north in order to launch a counter offensive to gain political power. It is generally accepted that this was the starting point of the Northern Uganda conflict that has changed faces of struggle which adversely affected the people of the greater North” (ARLPI, 2007).

Uganda 1980 Election UPM UPC

Here we see the British position to the matter and verifying the results and the way the rigging is open and blatant happening, even with witnesses and wife’s getting information about the victory by phone and the day after on the radio hearing and announced that the person didn’t get their seat in parliament after all.

The 1980s elections seem by many means rigged and the reports validate that sense. As some have question if that is true or something Uganda Patriotic Movement used to defend their rebellion towards the state, as the opposition does now; the FDC claims as the predecessor UPM did at one point. The worrying point about the whole election at that time is how the Commonwealth Observers is being used by British Officials, as the Dr. Milton Obote got the verifying force and the international credibility to stop the nuance of asking to accepted. While the Parliament and members was more selected than elected. Just as it seems as after 18th February as the Electoral Commission under Eng. Dr. Badru Kiggundu, put all the eggs in the basket of President Museveni and avoided lots of polling stations to benefit the ruling regime. The way the ruling regime of Uganda People’s Congress did their job and their Paolo Muwanga made the cake for Dr. Obote and his second term in office.

The way Obote told Civil Servants to serve UPC and not work against them, the same way Museveni today tells that everybody should stay behind NRM; they use other words, but initially mean the same. The same is also that Museveni says the election happen in a free and fair fashion as did Obote on the 1980s. They actually could be saying the same words or as similar as can be. They could be like brothers today and President Museveni did everything in his power in the beginning to demolish the legacy of Obote. So that he could be seen as the essential leader of the nation.

Today we see the ways that the army and police are used as tool of oppression as it was done during the Obote area as well. The determination of oppressing the opposition and making life hard for anybody who is not NRM is shown through the pre-election period and now after the polls as evidence today and the recent days where the Police have gone after the opposition with vigor and power. Jailed and detained FDC Mobilisers, Officials and others for affiliations or having the original declarations forms that the Electoral Commission have rigged, so to get rid of evidence.

So there is so many of the same traits that it is staggering… and the ways they are conducting the elections and polls; are nothing difference than from Obote, the man he fought for 5 years in a Bush-War to free the peasants, making himself to be like him. That is impressive as he was supposed to be an intellectual and a wise-guy who could make Uganda democratic, what that has happen is that President have made government of Uganda now acting the same ways as the ones he ousted. That is ironic and sad at the same time. Wished for the people Uganda another President who respect rule of law, the role of the executive and the true power of transparency and accountability, but that will not occur under President Museveni as he now will only seek his own gain and not care about the general state of Uganda; as his power and keeping that is main objective, everything else is secondary. Peace.

Opposition leaders say they saw rigging in Uganda polls (Youtube-Clip)

“Foreign observers say the polls were not free nor fair, and some former ruling party members agree.Malcolm Webb reports from the capital, Kampala” (Al Jazeera English, 2016)