Kaabong By-Election Woman MP: NRM candidate won – Declararation Form (29.08.2017)

Tired of President Museveni’s “1986”!

I know I am born in 1985, but I am tired of the year of 1986 and the year National Resistance Army (NRA). The now National Resistance Movement (NRM) and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. The liberation movement that has run the republic since 1986. This war lasted from 1981 to 1986, the NRA went out of the Milton Obote II government after the illegitimate election of 1980s. Which from then on has been used as the scapegoat and the ones to put to blame for ever since.

The 1986 is the magical year that Museveni entered into supremacy. The Supreme kingpin and mastermind of all it. Sowing the mustard seed and creating a newer safer Republic. The one time the peasants was supposed to have their say in government and make the republic a democracy. The Republic of Uganda was going from strong-men and big-men to run the Republic. Instead, it has been now three decades with manufactured democracy in-line with the vision of Museveni.

President Museveni have used all techniques to fix election results, paying villagers and making new government forms to fit his paradigm. Instead of releasing his promises he has built elite around him that is loyal to his brown envelopes or public fearing his security organizations. This is a special coming from the man promises all the possible governance and government structures needed, if he got into power. Instead, he has done the opposite.

It was supposed to get into a middle-Income Country instead of the Less Developed Country, which is the state is in now. The LDC that Uganda now is because of the state of government that President Museveni has created around him. That can be seen with amounts of debt, the massive overspending on the State House and the pledges around the President. Government of Uganda, GoU have been built around Museveni, instead of institutions and procedures. Therefore, the state are following the orders of the President and his Presidential Handshakes.

That is why, every-time in a speech at any sort of occasion the President will mention 1986 and how the state used to be. As of today 1 out of 5 in the Republic or 21% are between 15 to 24 year old. And by 2016 there we’re only 2% who are older than 65 years old. Which means that the President are part of a minority age bracket. President Museveni 30 years old rule are older than many of the youths in the Republic. They should also wonder what is so special about the years they never we’re living and about governments they never lived under. There are big proportions of the population who cannot remember or has been apart of the first years of the NRA or the civil-war during the 1980s.

They would be like me, they would feel the same fatigue of the NRA and Museveni rule, the extension of the liberation from Obote and Amin. The ones that Museveni mention whenever he needs someone or somebody to blame. Certainly mention 1986. The 1986 that are the most important year since independence, therefore, the NRM Day, the 26^th January 1986, liberation day. Instead of the Independence Day 9^th October 1962. That one is not so often mentioned by the President, since he didn’t get them out of the British Empire and not be a British Protectorate anymore.

Still, the 9^th October 1962 doesn’t seem to be important for Museveni, the 26^th January 1986 is the most vital one. The one that sets the standard, the day that changed everything and gave him total access. Therefore, the celebration of 1986 is so key and be levied at any occasion, and at any speech. President Museveni praises his overthrow of Amin, Obote, Okello and Biniasa.

They all just had to be overthrown, he had to make coup d’etat and make folklore out of it. So his name can ring out and be praised. Let it be clear, the President sings 1986… 1986… 1986… like a jingle never stopping. Peace.

Some Campaign updates from the NRM and Go-Forward today; Fake FDC Membership cards; Tear-gas before NRM rally; Deflections from Amama; and more!

I will not write about all the things that actually happen on the campaign rallies, that has been going on for so long. So the rallies in general are not important for me. What the parties does on the outside of that is the important, since it is local pledges and local MPs who surface the campaign rallies. But the big thing in the late part before the polls gets it more interesting. As they will now take stands and make difference as we see how Sam Kuteesa does right now. Will also go into the actions of Amama Mbabazi and his Go-Forward Group! Take a look!

Yesterday before the NRM was to hold a campaign rally in Sembabule. Sam Kuteesa had gotten 540 printed FDC membership cards with aim to show them to President Museveni. As a way of telling a story that 540 FDC members had deflected to NRM.

Before the rallies the NRM has been busy with ferrying people to the venue at Sembabule as they are busy with their second trade Voter Tourism, the new future of steady progress under the NRM! Take a look at today’s photos:

Also before the rallies there been issues between the Police and the NRM Campaign Convoy. The Supporters of Ssekikubo and Patrick Nkalubo that was supposed to have a rally before the President; that did not happen as the police shot tear-gas and dispersed the supports of the fellow candidates.

Sam Kutesa who was busy yesterday getting and producing fake FDC Membership-Cards have been accused for delivering around money and NRM T-Shirts to Nkalubo while the public was trying to get away from the tear-gas.

Ssekikubo said in a rally today before President Museveni spoke said:

“Ugandans are tired of tear-gas and bullets”.  

Now we are going into the Go-Forward Group:

Low Turn-up:

“Supporters of independent presidential candidate, Amama Mbabazi are accusing the Go-Forward mobilisers in Tooro region for the poor turn up at his campaign rallies” (…)”At some of the venues especially in Kabarole district, Mbabazi and his team didn’t find people to address, forcing him to wait for more than twenty minutes. His supporters are accusing the mobilisers of the Go Forward team for incompetence, which they say will cost their candidate votes in the general election” (Sanyu Radio, 31.01.2016).

A big hunch of Amama Security team deflects to NRM:

“A group of 68 members of the security team for former Prime Minister and Go Forward Presidential candidate Amama Mbabazi has denounced him and joined President Yoweri Museveni’s campaign team” (…)

”George Sebyala their leader said this: “From today onward, we have parted ways with Mr. Mbabazi to join President Museveni’s camp after realizing we were not achieving what was promised to us while joining the Go Forward camp” (…)”We have realized he is not the right person to lead this country, considering the problems that befell us after the Ntungamo incident .With the huge sums of money and wealth he has amassed, we were not well catered for by Mr. Mbabazi” (…)On the Ntungamo clashes: “The people we beat were brothers and sisters to us and we ask for forgiveness. We were only misled but we pledge not to repeat such inhuman acts to our fellow Ugandans”.

As it comes to the rallies today, the locals got bored of listening to NRM Frank Tumbewaze so they left the venue and walked to the nearby Amama Mbabazi rally. That proves that the trusted minister of Mzee doesn’t have the pull as he think he has, as the people just leave him high and dry. As they did today!

I think that is enough. Peace.

Go-Forward meet hardships in Kaabong; Plus election violence towards the Go-Forward/TDA in the rest of the country

Today the Go-Forward Group and the TDA Joint Presidential Candidate have been in hot water all day. Yesterday in Northern Uganda there we’re rumors and reports about booing him and making mockery of him while on stage because of his deliverance in NRM government. That is not something I will focus on, because with his history in mind. It is understandable, wish they would do the same to Mzee though! But then they the Police and Crime Preventers would make issues so understand their silence when he entered the town in Karamoja. I wish I was writing something profound and deep, meaningful and giving. Instead I litter of the sadness and tragedy that follows the Go-Forward and the TDA supporters and team.

Today in Kabong Town in Kaabong district the public and citizens we’re expected and told to wear NRM t-shirts. While the town and people knew that Amama Mbabazi we’re expected to hold a campaign rally there. DPC Peter Cherome has made his people busy today and the forcing the public to wear NRM clothes is just the beginning.

Well, Amama Mbabazi tried to visit Kidepo National Park, but the Police blocked it and closed it. So he could not check the conservation and resettlement of the animals in the National Park. That is not allowed I suppose! Yeah, it is not a prayer house? Not a school? Not a, well, house with sick people called Hospital! So why can’t and where is the rules from the Electoral Commission or Police stopping his movement? Please explain?

This morning in Kabale this happen:

“Hon. Stephen Kalibba, the former Prime Minister for Tooro Kingdom, and former Member of Parliament who has been Go Forward Cordinator for Tooro and Rwenzori sub-regions has defected to NRM”.

Yesterday in Bukedea district:

The Amama Mbabazi aid in Bukedea district we’re attacked and flocked by local NRM supporters and badly hurt. The pictures of the man are spreading online; the sadness of how the NRM-Regime goes against their opposition. I will not show the picture, but think the story should be told!

Reports from Amudat yesterday:

“Currently happening in Amudat one of the districts from Karamoja region the mobilizers of Hon. Amama Mbabazi have been identified and bundled in different cars including Police cars forcefully now crossing to Kenya”.

In Ntungamo and aftermath of the clashes in the town last year:

“Eleven supporters of independent Presidential Candidate Amama Mbabazi who were charged with assault, causing grievous harm and malicious damage to property, have been remanded for seven more days at Ntungamo Central Prison, due to lack of sureties and legal representation” (…)”Seven of them were first remanded five days ago after pleading not guilty, to the charges presented to them before Grade One Magistrate Richard Ndangwa. The magistrate said he needed more time to peruse through documents tendered in court by their sureties before granting them bail”.

Amama Mbabazi Security Team involved in a car crash:

“Three people were this morning injured in an accident involving members of the Security Team accompanying Presidential Candidate Amama Mbabazi to Karamoja Sub region. The team was on the way to Kaabong and Abim districts where Mbabazi is expected to hold a rally this afternoon when their vehicle, a Toyota Super Custom, registration number UAT 654Z swerved off the road overturning three times”.

“No one showed visible injuries at first but three of them collapsed and were rushed to a nearby hospital back to Moroto,” said the former Director-General of Uganda’s External Security Organisation Mr David Pulko, now working as Mr Mbabazi’s campaign mobiliser.

If you though this we’re worse. The planned campaign rally in Kabong town we’re blocked by Police and had to be held 70 kilometers away. This was happening today while the IGP Kale Kayihura told about 600 peaceful campaign rallies during the election periods. Not about the dirty dozen actions of his police in opposition Presidential Candidates hardships to actually work during the so called harmonized and Election Road Map worked together with Badru Kiggundu’s The Electoral Commission. Well, Hon. Amama Mbabazi had to move his main campaign rally because the local Police Force decided to do him wrong and he had to have the campaign rally in Karenga.

There been too much sadness brought to the table. Amama Mbabazi finally getting the Dr. Kizza Besigye treatment and harassment; nobody wishes to get it or feel the pain of humiliation and following of the police and governmental forces together with NRM-Supporters in the districts. Therefore the violence and extent of viciousness coming forward is dramatic and this just 45 days before the polls and general election proves that the NRM can only win on intimidation and fear, not on certainty of their political craft.

2nd Update of the hardship of the Go-Forward which continued after the publish of this article! 

Updated after first publish:

Amama Mbabazi we’re supposed to be attending and sharing his opinion on the Radio channel of Karamoja (Voice of Karamoja), but the Police continued their unbiased work and blocked him from entering the Radio’s premisis as the gentlemen of IGP Kale Kayihura usually do. Another proof of yet another type of place that other Presidential Candidates… can’t enter on their campaign trail. Be so very proud of your hardwork Police men in Northern Uganda hope you get your pay on time as teachers have struggled with in recent years in Uganda. Surely hope Mzee pays you well for tornmenting and harassing opposition candidates! Peace.  

Cavalary loses against the Difiance in Fort Portal today

Today the 17^th December 2015 there was a day when FDC Campaign trail team went to Kabarole and Fort Portal. The Forum for Democratic Change had harmonized their campaign strategy with Electoral Commission which also should be delivered to the Uganda Police Force. This doesn’t seem to matter.

On the 16th Eng. Dr. Badru M. Kiggundu said this:

“If the military is called to come in, I will approve. Yes, the military is part of Uganda; they are your brothers”.

The FDC Campaign Team was staying the night at the Eden lodge. Last night the Police came and entered the room of the delegates of the FDC. The Police went in to take all the campaign material like T-Shirts, Posters, Banners and such. The Kizza Besigye Security detail could not stop that. The day before Crime Preventers together with the Police we’re pinning down the FDC posters.

After this the FDC went into the Police Office and addressed the District Police Commander Musa Tibakirana where the FDC Campaign team we’re able to reclaim the confiscated campaign gear. While the Campaign team was doing so Dr. Kizza Besigye we’re starting campaign in villages.

In Fort Portal town while Dr. Kizza Besigye was still having rallies in the villages. In Fort Portal there was a Military Vehicle H4DF 1187 Military Pickup; there we’re 6 soldiers with a big machine gun.

Later when Dr. Kizza Besigye the NRM men and Crime Preventers scattered from Fort Portal, they had been seen around town all day; later when Dr. Kizza Besigye arrived and made the time blue. The Crime Preventers was not seen.

Dr. Kizza Besigye statement after the rallies:

“Many thanks, to the people of Tooro sub-region for endorsing our candidature, and keeping the message of liberation alive. The spirit and enthusiasm you have exhibited over the past days is what we shall need to win this election. Together we shall liberate our country. Mwebare muno! For God and my Country. One Uganda, One People”.

DPC Tibakirana could have continued his campaign against the FDC even after the Campaign team arrived and picked up the confiscated material. He didn’t. The Electoral Commission has no opened to send the Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) on the defiance campaign. Dr Kiggundu must really fear the power and reach of the Dr. Kizza Besigye. That is why the Police and other security agents of the government of Uganda goes stronger and stronger against the leaders of Opposition. I have a feeling it can get rougher as we have seen in Ntungamo where Go-Forward held a campaign rally. Therefore I now believe that the Police secure the NRM, but chase the rest like their venom. Peace.

First Nomination Day of the Presidential Aspirants in Uganda

Today and tomorrow are the days where the stadiums will be filled for the nomination rallies in Uganda for before the General Election in 2016. This will be for Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (NRM), Amama Mbabai (Go-Forward) and Dr. Kizza Besigye (FDC). Even the businesses in central parts of Kampala are shut-down while people are going to Mbabazi’s Nakivubo stadium. It’s also been hectic and jams around Ntinda today. The Police have had check-points on the roads into the Nakivubo Stadium today! A strong police presence in Kampala is strong today!

Its election time so the NRM-Regime does something to the citizens they have actually given free fuel and free money before the Nomination Rally at Kololo Independence Ground today! Surely election season, things can sometimes become free!

Amama Mbabazi: “We are fully aware of the election obstacles in Uganda and we are going to overcome them”.

Yoweri Kagua Museveni extract from the recent speech to the NRM CEC 01.11.2015:

“I need to caution our members about branding each other ─ saying this, is “pro-Mbabazi” “pro-FDC”, etc. Ugandans know how to speak for themselves. Those who want to join Mr. Mbabazi can speak for themselves. Nobody else should speak for them. If they are acting as infiltrators, we shall discover them and deal with the infiltration”.

Mathias Mpuunga: “Enough is enough. 30 years is too long. We are here to assure you that we are ready for change” (…) “Opposition political parties, all regions of this country are going forward. We are going fooorward”.

The crowds coming to Kololo and the NRM stadium has been shipped in with buses from Jinja Road from all over the country and also closed local schools in town to support the President.

Earlier today this has happen:

Candidate Museveni duly nominated at 10.21 am, where he was with the Electoral Commission Chairman Eng. Dr. Badru M. Kiggundu hands him nomination certificate.

Professor Venasius Baryamureeba has also been certificated the nomination for the Presidential Aspirant, and he got nominated at 12:00 Am at Makerere University Business School (MUBS). The Professor has himself thanked the Uganda Police Force for handling the crowd well today. Prof Barya said this today: “Today is when we begin a serious journey of beginning back our country Uganda to the right track”.

Earlier reported that Charles Lwanga has arrived and been at the Electoral Commission has been accepted for his nomination as a Presidential Aspirant.  But later reports tell that he failed to fulfill requirements and also have the bank slip with the 20 million fee for the candidacy. So he will surely not run this 2016-2021.

Information from the Electoral Commission:

There been totally 48 picked nomination forms, the total 12 returned forms, 10 satisfied requirements for nomination has gotten the nomination certificate.

One of candidates who have now returned his Presidential candidacy is Nasser Ntege Ssebaggala the former Mayor of Kampala.

President Museveni said at the Nomination Rally today: “I request your vote to finish what I have started plus new development programs for the country”.

Amama Mbabazi says this: “I am happy I came after President Museveni this is how things are going to be”.

Iganga LCV Vice Forman Gabula Ezra defects from the NRM to the Go-Forward.  Acting DP Publicity Secretary Paul Kakande has deflected from the party to Go-Forward today and Lango elders vouch for the Amama Mbabazi as well. The Lango elders gave him a walking stick as a “sign of respect”, they gave him that the Nomination rally at the Nakivubo Stadium and even some Lango supporters gave him a spear.

The NRM Youth leaders Omodo-Omodo and Adam Ruzindana are at the Amama Mbabazi Nomination Rally today. There is reported to be some leaders from the Conservative Party also represented at the venue today! Uganda Federal Alliance’s Betti Kamya was also present at the Stadium. People’s Progressive Party has said it has supported the candidacy for Dr. Kizza Besigye three times and that has been in vain. So they now endorse Go-Forward now! Asuman Basaliirwa of the Justice Forum (JEEMA) said: “JEEMA will back Amama Mbabazi for and are positive for 2016 and is time for Amama” (…)”The country has only one problem…Mister Museveni”.  Former Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister Hon. Stephan Kaliba has endorsed Go-Forward! Medard Lubega Segona the Buganda Information Minster claims today: “gives credit to Amama Mbabazi for pilling pressure on Museveni to return Buganda property”.  Jimmy Akena claims to be the UPC President at the JPAM rally.

While somewhere else is Olara A. Otunnu claims to be the President of the UPC.  So while this is happening, who is really running the UPC? We have known for a while about the split and Otunnu and Akena wings of the Party… but the introduction of both leaders as leader of the Ugandan People’s Congress is a bit tricky on a day like this! Olara A. Otunnu said this: “All those who want the change should come together and unite to be one. Unite with Amama Mbabazi”. Mira Matembe said that this the motto of the country has changed from “For God and Country” to “For my stomach and my family” she continues: “Even Mbabazi realized that things had changed for the worst, that’s when he gave it (Regime) up!” (…)”NRM simply uses and discards its woman and youth”.

Dr. Abdi Bwanika will launch his candidacy for Precedency tomorrow and launch his campaign at the Nsambya Sharing Hall.

Dr. Ian Clarke who has run as Mayor for Makindye, he is now officially running for MP.

Important Notice for 5th of November:

Eng. Dr. Badru M. Kiggundu the Electoral Commission Chairman has told the media that he will have meeting with the Presidential Aspirants and Candidates so they can harmonize their campaigns on the 5^th November.

There was rumored about the buses from the other parts of the country for getting NRM-Supporters to Kololo Independence ground and the Nomination Rally of Yoweri Kaguta Museveni today. The issue and reports now is that the same people does not have a de-tour or return buses from the NRM. So certain NRM supporters from Up-Country are stuck at and around the Kampala Central Police Station and Bombo Road. For the simple reason there is no official transport back to Lira, Gulu and Arua. This was from where they was shipped from to get to the venue and start of the Campaign for 2016 for Mzee.

Press statement from The Democratic Alliance (TDA):

“Hon. Amama Mbabazi was successfully nominated a presidential candidate today morning. He is currently addressing a mammoth rally at Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium. Go Forward is part of the forces of change under The Democratic Alliance (TDA)”.

This is interesting start to the official start of this presidential election in February 2016. Tomorrow is the others candidates start as official candidates.  As the big one tomorrow is Dr. Kizza Besigye.  And the other candidates that might have a clarity to run; even if we have a mighty big chance of the NRM-Regime to rig the coming elections in favor of Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the NRM, then we shouldn’t be surprised. The thing we can see if there will calm and clarity and if the UPF will keep their heads cool! That is something to look forward to… see if they can achieve that.

Official Program for Tomorrow:

NOMINATION PROGRAMME FOR COL. DR. KIZZA BESIGYE ON 04th NOVEMBER, 2015:

07.00 am SUPPORTERS ASSEMBLE AT DESIGNATED LOCATIONS

08.00 am PROCESSIONS START FROM NAJJANANKUMBI

10.00 am PROCESSION ARRIVES AT BANDA

10.30 am PROCESSION ARRIVES AT KIREKA

10.40 am PROCESSION ARRIVES AT BWEYOGERERE

11.00 am PROCESSION ARRIVES AT NAMBOOLE

11.00 am ARRIVAL OF FLAGBEARER AT NAMBOOLE

12.00 am FLAGBEARER LEAVES NAMBOOLE FOR NAKIVUBO STADIUM

01.30 pm ARRIVAL OF INVITED GUESTS

02.30 pm SPEECHES MADE BY THE LOCAL LEADERS

02.45 pm SPEECH BY THE FDC PARTY CHAIRMAN

02.50 pm THE LORD MAYOR GREETS THE PEOPLE

03.00 pm THE PRESIDENT CONSERVATIVE PARTY GREETS THE PEOPLE

03.10 pm SPEECH BY THE FDC PARTY PRESIDENT

03.20 pm FLAG BEARERS SPEECH

06.00 pm END OF THE RALLY AND ENTERTAINMENT

Party Partisan media, really? Aga Khan is surely loyal to M7 🙂 Don’t think so while looking at that?

This is just so you know and this will be interesting. Peace!

Obote Government (1966-1971) versus Museveni Governments(1986-2014)

Obote government did this infrastructure development (among others) in less than 5 years (1967-71): 

1. Pakwach Bridge (West Nile)
2. Almost all the tarmac roads built in Uganda after independence, beyond the Entebbe-Kampala axis
• The New Entebbe International Airport
• Soroti Flying School
• Airfields and aerodromes in most of the original 18 districts of Uganda
• International Conference Centre and Nile Hotel (now Serena Hotel and Conference Centre)
• The dual carriage-way from Jinja to Kakira
• Iganga-Tirinyi Road
• The Pakwach-Arua Highway (West Nile)
• The Gulu-Pakwach road
* The Jinja-Kamuli highway
• The Kampala-Mbarara-Ntungamo Highway
• The Ntungamo-Kabale Highway
• The Kampala-Mityana Highway
• The Kampala-Gulu Highway
• Most of the feeder roads in the coffee-cotton-matooke areas of Butembe and Bugabula in Busoga
• First Class Murram roads in all the areas of the country growing cash crops (coffee, cotton, tobacco, sisal and pyrethrum), where there was a Cooperative Union, stretching from West Nile, Acholi, Lango, Teso, Bugisu, Bukedi, Busoga, Buganda, Bunyoro, Ankole, Toro and Kigezi
• The Arua-Koboko Road (West Nile)
• The Busia-Tororo-Mbale-Soroti-Lira-Gulu highway
• The railway from Busia to Gulu
• National Housing and Construction Corporation
• Kampala’s Crested Towers building
• Bugolobi Flats in Kampala
• Kampala’s Wandegeya Flats
• Kampala’s Bukoto Flats
• In virtually all district towns, the housing estates known as “Senior Quarters” and “Junior Quarters” built for new civil servants under the programme to Africanise Uganda’s Civil Service
• Dozens of Post Offices and telephone exchanges across the country and the extension of the national telephone system beyond Entebbe, Jinja and Kampala
• East African Airways
• Uganda Transport [Bus] Corporation, serving southern and western Uganda
• Peoples Transport [Bus] Company, serving northern and eastern Uganda
• East African Railways and Harbours Corporation
• The Port Bell railway link
• The Busoga railway loop (Iganga-Kamuli-Busembatia-Iganga)
• The Jinja pier (enabling cargo from Lake Victoria to be transferred to rail and road)
• The Kalangala ferry and ferries on Lake Kyoga and Lake Bisina in Teso
• Tarmac upgrade of the Kampala-Mukono highway and the highway from Mukono to Busia.

Here is what Museveni has done since 1986 until now in 2014! 

 

If this doesn’t make your mind wonder and also how come? Its not more built since 1986..

That is something we all should ask ourself and the NRM government. But, I don’t think they will answer in a proper way which the truth isn’t massaged into a perfect message that fit their view and make everything into a golden goose. Where they will tell that in just a few years it have a economy that is of a middelclass county and be without corruption. Trust me, you will hear that in the near future. An so many times that your ears hurt!

Peace!

 

 

Interesting WikiLeaks about Uganda: Bunyoro, Lake Albert & Oil-deals

Here is WikiLeaks which shows quotes from 2007 to 2011 where Bunyoro, Rwenzuru and the security of the oil-rich Western-Uganda. Think that this should be interesting reading – also insights to the situation. Have an awesome time reading!

The Corruption story of Muhwezi and Mukula amd the NRM:

“Many Ugandans were happy to see Muhwezi and Mukula, members of the so-called “mafia”, arrested for corrupt activities” (…)”oo Much or Inefficient Corruption. Kategaya and Musa Ecweru, Minister of State for Relief and Disaster Preparedness, told P/E Chief the core issue was that Muhwezi, Mukula, and Kamugisha took more money than they had been authorized and failed to account for it. Muhwezi had been found “not politically responsible” in a Cabinet white paper follow-up on the Global Fund Investigation report in March. According to the Kategaya and Ecweru, the debate within the Cabinet over Muhwezi’s fate was heated, but that ultimately a majority of ministers rallied behind Muhwezi because they themselves could be implicated for corrupt activities. The President accepted the Cabinet recommendation, but still wanted to find a way to “clip Muhwezi’s wings.” The President decided that the use of the immunization fund for personal gain would provide a strong case against Muhwezi” (…)”Succession Politics. Another possibility, and not excluded by other theories, was that the arrests were an attempt by President Museveni to remove potential successors. This includes both Jim Muhwezi and First Lady Janet Museveni. Both have presidential ambitions and both profited beyond Museveni’s expectations from the embezzlement. Muhwezi’s financial independence, alleged ties to the Forum for Democratic Change’s Kizza Besigye, and the perception that he was advancing his own political ambitions rather than the ruling party’s could have contributed to the decision to arrest him at this time. Several Cabinet members say that Muhwezi, the former Chief of Military Intelligence, has been allowed to get away with corrupt activities because he has files on key political players and the First Family and has threatened to use them” (…)”The NRM-dominated Parliament also selected Muhwezi to head the Parliamentary Group for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. One Cabinet member told PolChief that there are signs of other politicians rallying to Muhwezi’s side because they fear they could be next in line for an arrest warrant. Ecweru posted Mukula’s bond to demonstrate ethnic solidarity” (…)”The arrests are generating a significant amount of speculation regarding the future of the ruling party and implications for the war on corruption. Many political contacts and other Western diplomats are wondering if Museveni has a clear game plan, desired outcome, or defined roles for the IGG and public prosecutors” (WikiLeaks, 29.05.2007).

Ugandan Boarder Tension:

“Museveni and his Congolese counterpart Joseph Kabila met in Tanzania to discuss border issues after Congolese military units moved a border demarcation four kilometers into an agreed-upon no-man’s zone on the Ugandan border” (…)”Lt. Gen. David Tinyefuza, Museveni’s security czar, reported to Museveni that Congolese units allegedly erected a border crossing four kilometers on the Ugandan side of the border. However, a team of security officials led by Deputy Director of the External Security Service Emmy Allio, who is from West Nile, determined that the Congolese had not moved the demarcation posts into Uganda, only into the agreed-upon no-man’s zone. In his report to President Museveni and the Minister of Security Amama Mbabazi, Allio argued that the GOU should not “make a big deal” out of the incident. He found that the powerful Governor of Ituri ordered the move, with backing from some elements in Kinshasa, but that Kabila was likely unaware” (WikiLeaks, 21.05.2008).

”According to a joint statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Museveni and Kabila “noted with satisfaction” that progress had been made in the border demarcation process. They pointed to the Fifth Session of the Joint Permanent Commission in Kampala December 12-15, 2007, the Joint Border Remarking Committee in Bunia and Entebbe, and other bilateral engagement on the issue as evidence that efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the border question were ongoing” (…)”Museveni and Kabila agreed to accelerate the co-administration of the Rukawanzi Island as the demarcation process takes place. Situated on Lake Albert, Rukawanzi Island was at the center of the August 2007 border flare-up that led to the Ngurdoto-Tanzania Agreement. (Note: Congolese soldiers killed a British Heritage Oil worker in August 2007 claiming that the oil barge had strayed into Congolese waters (ref A). End note.) The prospect of oil exploration on Lake Albert, which is dissected by the Ugandan-Congolese border, has further complicated the demarcation process” (WikiLeaks, 21.05.2008).

The Oil-deals and Boarder Tension:

“The most recent border tensions comes in the wake of Kinshasa’s decision to revoke an oil exploration concession to a neighboring block in eastern Congo’s oil-rich region that it had granted to Tullow Oil and Heritage, two of four oil companies operating in western Uganda. The Congolese government awarded the tender to South Africa’s state oil company PetroSA, claiming that Tullow and Heritage violated Congolese territorial waters on Lake Albert (refs A and B), (WikiLeaks, 21.05.2008).

Museveni’s Plan to “Ring-Fence” Bunyoro:

“An internal July 15 memo from Ugandan President Museveni has deepened the ethnic divide between groups living atop newfound oil reserves in Uganda’s Western Region.  The memo, which was leaked to the press on August 2, instructs the Minister for Presidential Affairs to consider restricting key elected offices – including parliamentary seats – in what was once the Bunyoro Kingdom in Western Uganda to ethnic Banyoro only.  The memo also recommends preferential land ownership rights for ethnic Banyoro for the next twenty years.  Museveni’s memo may have been designed to appease, or perhaps distract, Banyoro leaders angered by long-standing land disputes and the government’s continued refusal to reveal plans for oil revenue sharing (reftel)” (…)”Museveni has not backed away from the idea of investing specific ethnic groups with special electoral privileges in Western Uganda, and several members of his Cabinet who hail from Bunyoro have ratcheted up pressure on Museveni to move forward with his proposal. Museveni’s apparent willingness to consider rewarding one ethnic constituency by disenfranchising many others reinforces concerns about his re-election strategy for 2011 and Uganda’s commitment to the transparent management of impending oil revenues” Sampson/WikiLeaks, 19.08.2009).

”Two other individuals of note reportedly also spoke at the August 15 Bunyoro Symposium: the Bunyoro Kingdom’s spokesman Henry Ford Miriima and Presidential Advisor on Land Issues Kasirivu Atwooki. In recent days Miriima has advocated for taking President Museveni’s “ring-fencing” idea even further, arguing that non-Banyoro living in Bunyoro should assimilate into Banyoro culture and adopt the Banyoro language of Runyoro” (Sampson/WikiLeaks, 19.08. 2009).

Tension because of Museveni’s plan to “Ring-Fence” Bunyoro:

“Tensions between the Banyoro and “immigrant” populations in Bunyoro have been simmering for some time. President Museveni’s memo significantly heightened these tensions by elevating them to national prominence. Explanations of why Museveni seized on the Bunyoro question now, after more than two decades in power, focus on two topics: elections and oil. Using Uganda’s 2002 census as a guide, one local news magazine noted that the Banyoro are in fact not marginalized and that ethnic Banyoro hold 10 of the 14 parliamentary seats from the four districts that make up the Bunyoro Kingdom. Although Banyoro appear to be the largest ethnic group in these districts, they do not hold a majority. Restricting elected offices to only ethnic Banyoro would therefore disenfranchise a majority of the population resident in these districts” (Sampson/WikiLeaks, 19.08. 2009)

“Captain” Mike Mukula, disgraced former Ugandan Health Minister and current National Resistance Movement (NRM) vice-chairman for eastern Uganda, warned that the 2011 presidential elections will be worse than the deeply flawed 2006 presidential contest. Mukula, whose political reputation was battered by the 2006 Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) scandal, said the September 10-12 riots provided a brief preview of one potential election scenario. He also said President Museveni’s popularity was decreasing within the NRM, and speculated that Museveni may be interested in setting up his son, Muhoozi, as dauphin. Mukula said Museveni ultimately listens to only two countries – the U.S. and the U.K. – and urged the U.S. to pressure Museveni to reinstate presidential term limits. Mukula himself, however, hopes to run for president in 2016″ (…)”Mukula lost his Cabinet post in 2006 and was briefly imprisoned in 2007 after being accused of diverting USD 1.5 million from the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) program to NRM coffers. Describing himself as Museveni’s “fall guy,” Mukula blamed his involvement in the GAVI scandal on Museveni’s need to placate international donors concerned about corruption, and his own rising popularity as evidenced by a newspaper poll that listed Mukula as more popular with the NRM faithful than the President” (…)”Now the NRM’s vice-chairman for eastern Uganda and a key member of Museveni’s re-election campaign, Mukula complained that there is no separation between the NRM and Ugandan state institutions. He called the military Uganda’s “fourth estate” and said Museveni regards the army as his personal political party. Mukula highlighted the complete dominance of Museveni’s Banyankole ethnic group throughout the government, military, and business community, and asserted that the NRM now serves as nothing more than platform for the President, springing to life only during election campaigns” (…)”Bukenya, an ethnic Baganda, as the NRM’s most popular leader. He said Museveni kept Bukenya on as his Vice President to keep tabs on Bukenya’s potential presidential ambitions” (…)”Mukula said the recent political moves made by Museveni – from pandering to ethnic Banyoro along Lake Albert (ref. A), to the recognition of the Rwenzururu Kingdom in southwestern Uganda and the decision to support the minority Banyala’s quest for autonomy from the Buganda Kingdom (ref. B) – were all designed to obtain the two percentage points needed to push Museveni from 49 to 51 percent during the first round of voting in 2011” (…)”Mukula said Museveni was increasingly patterning himself after Robert Mugabe and wants to position his son, Lieutenant Colonel Muhoozi Kainerugaba Museveni, as his eventual successor. Muhoozi returned from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in mid-2008 to assume command of the new Special Forces, a still-murky component – or potentially entirely separate unit – of the praetorian Presidential Guard Brigade comprised of all the PGB’s elite, technical, and specialized non-infantry capabilities. Noting that Muhoozi may still be too young to mount a credible presidential bid in 2016, Mukula again volunteered that he had presidential ambitions of his own for 2016” (Sampson/WikiLeaks, 23.09.2009).

The Oil-deals between ExxonMobile/ENI/Tullow/Heritage Oil Company with corruption and deals made with the Ugandan Government:

“A December 17 report by the External Security Organization (ESO), which Intelligence Coordinator General David Tinyefuza allegedly forwarded to President Museveni, says Security Minister Amama Mbabazi is “eyeing” a $200 million commission for securing a deal between Heritage Oil and the Italian firm ENI” (…)”confidential Ugandan intelligence report on negotiations between Heritage Oil and the Italian oil giant ENI (see attached document and reftel). Tullow has previously expressed concern that ENI is using illicit payments to Ugandan officials to obtain government authorization for purchasing Heritage and depriving Tullow of oil holdings in Lake Albert” (…)”The report says western governments – including the U.S., U.K., Sweden, and France – oppose the opaque ENI deal, that Tullow hopes to sell 50% of its Ugandan holdings to ExxonMobil, and that ENI offered Ugandan officials facilitating an ENI-Heritage agreement a $200 million “commission” (…)”The report claims that Mbabazi is using a front company belonging to the European owner of Asante Oil, and that ENI representatives distributed “fat envelopes” to a number of visitors – including Energy Ministry officials, representatives from the Office of the President, journalists, and Bunyoro Kingdom officers – while installed at a safari lodge in Murchison Falls National Park close to where drilling has occurred. NOTE: EconOff witnessed ENI’s presence at this lodge during a trip to Murchison in early December. END NOTE. Much of the report highlights ENI’s Libyan ties and accuses Qadhafi of funneling money to the Bunyoro and Buganda Kingdoms to destabilize the Museveni regime. The final two sections of the report purport to “show how ENI corrupts a country’s leadership and forces them to take unpopular selfish policies,” and the “dangers” of an ENI/Libya deal” (Sampson/WikiLeaks, 13.01.2010).

Continuation of Mbabazi and Government involvement in Oil-Deals:

“We believe Mbabazi is positioning himself for a significant payoff, but the security report is undermined somewhat by Tullow’s apparent involvement in its drafting. In December, ExxonMobil said it lacked concrete evidence that its Ugandan interests have been harmed, but noted that ENI’s involvement has had a negative impact. If the Heritage-ENI sale proceeds unchanged, it will significantly reduce the value of Tullow’s Uganda holdings, zap ExxonMobil’s interest, and put Uganda on the road to rampant oil sector corruption” (Samson(WikiLeaks, 13.01.2010)

“President Yoweri Museveni has ordered the freeze in order to protect the rights of locals, whose tenure continues to be threatened by the influx of business people interested in the oil-rich land, Stephen Birahwa, a lawmaker representing Bulisa told Dow Jones Newswires” (WikiLeaks, 29.05.2011).

Peace!

Links:

Richards/WikiLeaks – [OS] UGANDA/ENERGY – Uganda imposes oil land ban – FRANCE/UK/CHINA (06.06.2011), WikiLeaks, Link: https://wikileaks.org/gifiles/docs/31/3161601_-os-uganda-energy-uganda-imposes-oil-land-ban-france-uk.html

 

Sampson, Aaron & WikiLeaks – MUSEVENI MIXES TOXIC BREW OF ETHNICITY AND OIL IN WESTERN UGANDA (19.08.2009), WikiLeaks, Link:

https://wikileaks.org/plusd/cables/09KAMPALA946_a.html

 

Sampson, Aaron & WikiLeaks – UGANDA: NATIONAL RESISTANCE MOVEMENT INSIDER SEES TROUBLE AHEAD (23.09.2009), WikiLeaks, Link: https://wikileaks.org/plusd/cables/09KAMPALA1096_a.html

 

Sampson, Aaron & WikiLeaks – UGANDA: SECURITY REPORT DETAILS OIL SECTOR CORRUPTION (13.01.2010), WikiLeaks, Link: https://wikileaks.org/plusd/cables/10KAMPALA19_a.html

 

WikiLeaks – UGANDA: MUSEVENI AND KABILA DEFUSE BORDER TENSION (21.05.2008), Link:https://wikileaks.org/plusd/cables/08KAMPALA674_a.html

 

WikiLeaks – UGANDA: CORRUPTION SCANDAL’S POLITICAL RAMIFICATIONS (29.05.2007) Link:https://wikileaks.org/plusd/cables/07KAMPALA909_a.html

Updates on the skirmishes in Kasese and Bundibugyo – (3 Kingdoms: one recognized by central government in Kasese District)

Well, if you are still interested in different sources on the Rwenzori – Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu and the Kasese and in Bundibugyo attack. Then I got some more for you today from different articles. After the tragic attack which killed 93 people and here is the new quotes and information on the sad event that happen in Kasese and Bundibugyo.

Kasese District Police Commander Michael Musani Sabila commented to media that Rwenzururu PM Nzaghale is now released from prison. Sabila continues: “We are still holding three other Rwenzururu officers” (…)”There is a high security alert to counter any further threats” (…)”Registration centres for the ongoing national ID project have also been provided with extra security to ensure the process is not disrupted “ (…)”A good number are calling us, expressing their willingness to surrender, saying they were deceived into taking up arms against the State” (Thwaite, 2014).

The three that still arrested:

–          Kingdom Enviroment Officer: Erisaniya Mberemu.

–          Information Minister and Kingdoms Spokesman: Joshua Kalimwithako Baluku.

–          Chairman of the Rwenzururu Esyomango S’Obusinga(Youth Wing): Mitusera Isebayanda

(Thwaite, 2014)

The Inspector of General of Police Kale Kayihura said: “We have different categories such as actors, planners and organisers who will be handled accordingly to their actions against the State. We have reinforced our system, we shall not leave any stone unturned” (…) “We have released on police bond the two kingdom officials as our investigations into the matter continue. We arrested them because they were implicated”.  He also said that he was disappointed with the Obsuninga bwa Rwenzururu (Mugume, 2014).

MPs of all political parties are critical of the ethical dived between Bakjona cultivators and Basongora cattle keepers. Defence Minister Dr. Crispus Kiyonga comments: “some people in our society still hold firm beliefs in witchcraft, can easily be duped into criminality and can be very callous in causing death to their brothers and sisters”. Even UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon says: “we must not be left to utter the words ‘never again,’ again and again” (…)”indeed; the world has yet to fully overcome its divisions, its indifference, and its moral blind spots. For if not checked, ethnic conflicts are contagious and can spread quickly like cancer cells and eat all the progress achieved over the years” (Mugerwa, 2014).

In Kasese district it would be three kings alone in the groups of the Bakonzo, Basongora and Bayabinindi. This would be:

–          Rwenzururu Kingdom of the Bakonzo with Mr. Charles Wesley Mumbere (Only recognized cultural leader by the government).

–          Basongora People has recognized as their cultural leader: Mr Ivan Rukirwa Bwambale (not recognized by the government).

–          Bayabindi People has recognized as their cultural leader: Mr Elisha Mugisha(not recognized by the government).

(Katusabe, 2014)

In Bundibugyo there you have the kingdom of the Bwamba which actually recently got recongnized by the government. This was as an opposite too the Rwenzururu Kingdom. Bwanba is made for the ethnic groups of Bamba and Babwasi, the issue in the district is that is also having a great number of Bakonzo (Katusabe, 2014).

Ms Polly Namaye deputy spokesman of the Uganda Police has recently addresses the matter and about the issue of the king in custody: “free and there has not been any attempt by the police to summon or arrest him under any circumstance”. She also said: “to have the king summoned the police will not desist (from executing its duties) but will do so in the interest of protecting the lives and properties of all Ugandans equally” (Katusabe, 2014).

Mr Mugisha the Bayabindi leader says: “These activities were carried out by the Bakonzo” (…)”We had informed the authorities that such attacks would happen but our advice was not taken seriously. It could easily be discerned from what many Bakonzo leaders had been saying that an attack on us was imminent. We live in fear” (…)”commemorating the deaths of our people who were killed during the Rwenzururu uprising between 1964 and 1981” (…)”we are different from Bakonzo” (…)”For us we are Bantu-speaking people and we don’t have much in common with the Bakonzo. They therefore targeted us because they associated us with the enemies (the Batooro)” (…)”The army and the police deployed heavily to protect our function; we even had people from State House” (…)”had threatened that if our function took place they would fight” (…)”When they failed to stop the function they diverted their anger to state institutions” (Katusabe, 2014).

Mr Bwambale the in-charge project desk at the Justice and Peace Commission in Kasese which isn’t agreeing with Mugisha is saying: “During the Rwenzururu war starting in the 1960s, our fathers knew that they needed guns to fight to break off from Tooro” (…)”So how can you convince me that in the year 2014, the kingdom of Rwenzururu would organise an attack on a military barracks executed by stick-wielding thugs? It doesn’t make sense”  (…)”like his king has argued, that the attack could have been planned by anti-Rwenzururu people to discredit the kingdom. We were unable to establish whether this is one line of investigation the police is following” (…)”Muhindo and all the others should not have died” (…)”it should look at more strategic interventions to address the problem” (…)”There is a danger in the message which the government seems to send to those people who intend to be recognised as cultural leaders” (…)”they seem to be saying that once you fight and win recognition we put you on payroll” (Katusabe, 2014).

Mr. Mumbere says: “Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the institution of traditional leader or cultural leader may exist in any area of Uganda in accordance with the culture, customs and traditions or wishes and aspirations of the people to whom it applies” (…)”It’s natural resources, especially in the lowlands, which is causing trouble in Kasese especially” (Katusabe, 2014).

Mr Mugisha gives his thoughts on why they should get recognized: “We will stop being marginalized” (…)”we have a very big problem with land; our people have been sidelined. Look at me, I am the king of the Banyabindi but I live on a small plot” (…)”Ibuga Prison farm has a lot of vacant land” (…)”let the government take some of my people there” (Katusabe, 2014).

Rev Can Cornelius Matte the dean of St. Paul Church where he discusses the issues of the Bakonzo. Mr Matte says: “problem of resources is getting worse” (…)”We have had land conflicts in the area for some time but we never predicted that this thing would become this dangerous. We are living in a corridor between national parks, prison and mountains. People are now desperate and something very small causes a very serious reaction. People are now like hungry dogs” (…)”Every year we send people to theological colleges and we have some other opportunities. We ensure that we send a Munyabindi and Musongora. This year the only one we have sent to university is a Musongora” (Katusabe, 2014).

Dr. Kizza Besigye has new comments on Rwenzururu:

“This is not tribal violence as government claims. Why is it only the Police and UPDF being targeted as if they are tribes? It’s because people are fed-up and feel that these are agents of the bigger problem up there” (…)”This situation in western Uganda cannot be detached from the problems in the whole country. The causes are not a local dynamic as it has been reduced but rather a political time bomb government is sitting on”. He describes President Museveni as “king of sectarianism”. Besigye is also addressing Kiyonga actions: ““Kiyonga was there when they carved out Ntoroko for the Batuku from Bundibugyo for the Bamba and have plans to further divide Kasese into four other constituents for the Basongora and other small tribes they want to create” (Musisi, 2014).

 

Links:

Katusabe, Ruth & Mukiibi Ssrunjogi Misari Thembo Kahungu, Eriasa – ‘Inside the melting pot of Rwenzori region’ (13.07.2014) Link:  http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Inside-the-melting-pot-of-Rwenzori-region/-/688334/2381740/-/wckx5vz/-/index.html

 

Mugume, Colleb &  Ninsuma Enid – ‘Police to screen Kasese, Bundibugyo attackers’ (13.07.2014) Link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Police-to-screen-Kasese–Bundibugyo-attackers/-/688334/2381922/-/fvvkg0/-/index.html

 

Mugerwa, Yaslin – ‘MPs unite against Rwenzori attacks’ (13.07.2014) Link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/OpEdColumnists/YasiinMugerwa/MPs-unite-against-Rwenzori-attacks/-/878670/2381556/-/us815oz/-/index.html

 

Musisi, Fredric & Tumwine, Albert – ‘Govt to blame for Rwenzori attacks’ – Besigye’ (13.07.2014) Link:http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Govt-to-blame-for-Rwenzori-attacks—Besigye/-/688334/2381860/-/dvi3k0z/-/index.html

 

Thwaite, John B. – ‘Kasese attacks: Rwenzururu premier released’ (12.07.2014) Link:http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/657452-kasese-attacks-rwenzururu-premier-released.html