IGP Okoth Ochola orders to shield the media: However, as long as they enforce POMA, will it matter?

In a Police Circular of 16th May 2018, the Inspector General of the Police Okoth Ochola has ordered a shift of policy towards the media. This is a change, but if we only see it on paper or in reality. Time will tell, because the laws that the Police use are still the same, they still have the Public Order Management Act (POMA), which has been used as a tool to oppress and silence opposition. Where the Police has interfered in journalistic endevours and political party works all across the Republic. All of that is well-known, as the Police needs to engage and give consent if anyone is gathering. That is so they can either stop it before it happens or have knowledge of any activity of any party, that is happening in public.

What is key from the message from the IGP was this:

Unit commanders must observe the safety of journalists very critically and no journalist or citizen should ever be abused or tortured. Torture is a criminal offence according to the law and whoever will be found to be involved in the crime shall be expeditiously investigated and prosecuted. The constitution calls upon us all to preserve, protect and promote media freedoms” (IGP Okoth Ochola, 16.05.2018).

CEON-U reported this from the General Election and Campaigning in 2016:

At the (media content) producer level, journalists reported pressure from government, security and ruling party officials, which sometimes saw the cancellation of critical radio programmes as well as suspension of presenters and talk show hosts for entertaining opposition candidates, especially Besigye. There were also increased cases of assaults and intimidation of journalists, self-censorship, and bribery” (CEON-U – ‘UGANDA GENERAL ELECTIONS 2016: REVISITING THE DEMOCRACY CONSTRUCT’ P:76, 2016).

It is not long ago, when Besigye was planning to hold a Radio Tour all-around Uganda, but the State sanctioned the radios holding him, but at the same period in time, the President could do the same and on the same topic, as Besigye was planning too. It is not many months ago. Therefore, the state is continuing to oppress and silence the other voices, than of the President.

Museveni likes to own the media, own the message and control it, therefore, he has lecture anyone to follow his voice and pattern, not question it, because then your not patriotic. That is what is well-known, so it is good idea that the Police are supposed to respect the covering of the journalists and their work. However, if they start to be to critical or get sources, which is questioning the Musevenisms, then know they will be besieged, be detained and lose their license. That is what Museveni does, so even if the journalist wouldn’t be arrested while on Live-Broadcast, like the police did in Kasangati in the recent year. Still, the NRM and Uganda Police Force has a long walk ahead.

It is nice that the IGP wants things to change, but they should also abolish POMA, so people are allowed to participate and be political active, without having the police breathing down their necks or coming with tear-gas, every time they congregate. This will certainly his a journalist, a camera-man or anyone covering it. They will not be totally shielded, I doubt the Police would do so. They usually cover all angles and anyone in the nearby passage get touched.

The Police can order and say they will leave the journalists be, but will they really follow through, when there are laws like the POMA in affect. That will not change the dynamics, unless, the Parliament makes other laws, that gives the provisions to the Police to act differently. Peace.

Here is the circular:

South Sudan Council of Churches: Statement at the High-Level Revitalisation Forum (HLRF) – (17.05.2018)

OO: Do us a favor, please, shut up!

If everything is amplified, we hear nothing.”Jon Stewart

Man, I am tired of his shit. Pardon me, but I am. I have seen and heard enough of the Musevenism and the giant National Resistance Movement (NRM) apologist Ofwono Opondo, the Director of Uganda Media Centre, which is under the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, therefore, he is also employed now by the Minister Frank Tumwebaze. Therefore, the famous OO are far of the left-field and everywhere. He is steady on Capital Gang and NBS Frontline. I am tired of him. Today he even written a piece.

He is defending the NRM and Museveni at a rate, that is extensive, that his blood-pressure isn’t out of whack is strange. Because his level of lies and deception that he plays. If he is proud of his work, I would feel sorry, but everyone wants to eat. I am sure the hypocrisy and the tarnish of reality must hurt his brain-cells. Since it is long inbetween any truthful statements and the reality. That is because he has to play to his master. The reason why I am tired of his crap.

So, those like Besigye, opposing NRM by propagating outright lies perhaps need to trade very carefully because Ugandans know the truth, otherwise, voters may not be kind to them at elections” (Ofwono Opondo – ‘NRM is Delivering on most of its Election Promises’ 10.05.2018).

It’s kinda hard believing that OO had to go this and say these words. When he knows the reality, but trying to make the numbers and the words fitting the paradigm of success. That always going back to the 1980s, always going back to a time with nothing and with inflation after a bush-war. Because that is the standard the NRM every single time seeks to. That they secured peace and made progress. But after doing, they haven’t delivered to the public, that is proven with the schools, the health care system and the unemployment rate. The lack of delivery of service, the rampant poverty, the debt level of the state and the lack of development in the state. All of that is the serious mess that the NRM are leaving behind, combined with a growing elite eating of the dying and rotten state, which is created in the image of Museveni. He has created this with all of his cronies and his self-control, that OO always say is right and doing the right thing.

OO is off the wall and high as a kite, when saying that, as the state is levying more tax on the public, the government loans are maturing and the oil revenue is still not hitting the fan. The giant development projects they have borrowed monies for are not to be sure off and the Rural Electrification Projects are still continuing. There are so many things missing and so much funding taken away, creative financing and creative spending of funds. That makes roads more expensive, more projects taking longer time and more cronies paid off, while land-grabs and grace periods to foreign investors, which makes sure the state earns less, but someone gets a favorable kick-back for so.

That OO is still praising all this is beyond me, that he is professing to a state that intimidate its citizens, that messes up the Sim-Card Registration for over a year and make a mockery out of the media. A state that is disconnected with the community, as they are not engaged delivering the needed services or state programs that actually could bring development. Instead they are looting and eating on the public plate. To say otherwise, is to look outside the window and lie.

That is why I am tired of the likes of OO. He can lie about his amount of hair on top of his head to his side-dish, he can lie about how many cups of tea has during the day, but he cannot lie about the reality and the state of affairs. Which he does everytime in public.

So, please shut up, OO stop lying, your bad at it! Peace.

United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) boosts protection for civilians targeted by warring parties in Unity (17.05.2018)

Congestion at the site is creating huge challenges for humanitarian agencies who are returning to the area to respond to the urgent need to supply food, clean water and medical services for the displaced families.

JUBA, South Sudan, May 17, 2018 –  Up to 150 peacekeepers are being rapidly redeployed to the Unity region to boost the UN Mission’s efforts to protect civilians being deliberately targeted by warring parties.

“What we are witnessing on the ground is the deliberate killing of civilians as well as the sexual violation and abduction of women and children. Homes and livelihoods are being systematically destroyed in a way that prevents families returning to their homes and being able to support themselves,” said the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Mission in South Sudan, David Shearer.

“Our fresh deployment will enable peacekeeping troops to patrol deeper to reach remote villages where the worst atrocities are taking place to create a protective presence and deter further fighting. It will also support the reinforcement of our base at Leer where many civilians are seeking sanctuary,” said David Shearer.

Thousands of civilians are fleeing the intense fighting as armed forces make their way down from Koch towards Leer. At least 30 villages or settlements have been attacked. UNMISS peacekeepers and human rights teams have witnessed the bodies of civilians killed during the fighting left unburied, dozens of huts burnt to the ground, cattle raiding and the destruction of critical services such as boreholes, medical clinics and food stores.

“The atrocities that we are documenting are a clear violation of human rights and international humanitarian law. Two aid workers have been killed and two wounded in the past month. Those responsible must be identified and held accountable for their actions,” said David Shearer.

A site next to the UN base at Leer previously held approximately 500 internally displaced people but the surge in violent clashes has increased numbers to about 2000. Almost 70 per cent of those seeking shelter are children.

Congestion at the site is creating huge challenges for humanitarian agencies who are returning to the area to respond to the urgent need to supply food, clean water and medical services for the displaced families. UNMISS is working closely with the agencies to support the safe delivery of aid.

The Mission continues to engage with local authorities and to urge the warring parties to stop the fighting and adhere to the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement signed by all parties just five months ago.

South Sudan: UN humanitarian chief urges parties to cease hostilities, protect civilians and aid workers (16.05.2018)

South Sudan: SPLM-IO – “Meeting of Comrade Dr. Riek Machar with IGAD Council of Ministers Delegation” (15.05.2018)

South Sudan United Front/Army (SSUF/A): “Re: Attacks on Raja or Elsewhere in South Sudan” (14.05.2018)

South Sudan: IGAD High Level Revitalization Forum – Summary of Consultation (12.05.2018)

United Nations Officials condemn targeted and widespread sexual violence in South Sudan and call for the immediate cessation of the attacks against civilians (11.05.2018)

Sexual violence as a widespread and systematic tactic of war continues in South Sudan, reportedly to punish civilians who are perceived to be associated with a particular political or ethnic group.

The United Nations has received reports of attackers demanding money, alcohol and cattle through threats of violence and intimidation, including sexual violence. Testimonies indicate that women and girls of all ages have been subjected to rape, including pregnant women, lactating mothers, and girls as young as four years old. Information collected over the past week indicates that at least 66 women and girls have been raped since attacks began on 21 April, with the total number of cases likely to be much higher. In addition, dozens of women and girls are believed to have been abducted, with some having been released after enduring days in captivity.

In former Unity state, young armed soldiers, reportedly affiliated to the SPLA, allegedly attacked the island of Meer, where a number of civilians, including women, children and the elderly, were reportedly killed and injured, while others, including children, drowned as they tried to escape. Instances of abductions and sexual violence against women and girls, were also reported.

The three United Nations Officials call on all parties in South Sudan to immediately end the use of sexual violence, cease the commission of atrocities, and hold the perpetrators of these heinous acts accountable as a matter of priority. The three Officials urge the parties to the conflict to honor the commitments they have made to address conflict-related sexual violence and to protect the civilian population, and further call on the Government of South Sudan to abide by the Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access they signed in 2017. In 2014, the Government of South Sudan signed a Joint Communiqué to end sexual violence and recommitted to an Action Plan to end and prevent the recruitment and use of children and all other grave violations against children. In 2015, the SPLM-IO signed an Action Plan to end and prevent the recruitment and use, as well as the killing and maiming, of children and in 2014 issued a Unilateral Communiqué on conflict-related sexual-violence. “The United Nations stands ready to support national efforts to end, prevent and address conflict-related sexual violence in South Sudan and to improve the protection of civilians, including children”, the three Officials stated.

Sudan People’s Liberation Movement Youth League – Uganda Chapter: “Youth League decries USA’s Diplomatic Overtones on Peace Process” (09.05.2018)