Barclays and Standard Chartered picketed in London over Bidco business (23.08.2016)

Bidco Protest

Members of Prince Charles’ Banking Environment Initiative fail to cut ties with companies that deforest in Africa.

KAMPALA, Uganda, August 23, 2016 – East African protesters have taken to the streets of London to demonstrate against banks that do business with Bidco Africa, highlighting the connection between global financial institutions, The Prince of Wales and widespread deforestation in Africa.

Barclays and Standard Chartered saw their London headquarters picketed due to their funding of Nairobi-based Bidco, a company that cuts down thousands of acres of pristine rainforest in Uganda, and engages in human rights and tax violations in Kenya and Tanzania.

The Bidco Truth Coalition (No2Bidco.org), an activist alliance, has revealed that the Banking Environment Initiative (BEI), based at Cambridge University’s Institute for Sustainability Leadership under the patronage of The Prince of Wales, is failing in its mission to lead the banking industry in collectively directing capital towards environmentally and socially sustainable economic development.

The BEI’s nine member banks are Barclays, Standard Chartered, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, Lloyds, Northern Trust, RBS, Santander and Westpac.

By signing up to BEI’s ‘Soft Commodities’ Compact, the nine banks have committed to only direct capital towards sustainable business models and achieve zero net deforestation among their client Companies.

Under BEI guidelines, member banks must drop clients that don’t measure up to socially and environmentally responsible policies.

Bidco Africa, which has engaged in multiple human rights, labour, tax and environmental violations, has publically stated that it does business with Barclays, Standard Chartered, Citibank, Equity Bank and Kenya Commercial Bank.

Bidco owns an oil palm plantation that has deforested 18,000 acres of rainforest in Uganda. Bidco has also grabbed land from over 100 smallholder farmers.

The environmental impact of the palm oil project has led activists to call on the UN Global Compact to eject Bidco from its roster of members.

In 2004, the World Bank pulled out of Bidco’s Uganda project, citing violations of the World Bank’s anti-deforestation policies.

But BEI has remained silent, and Barclays, Standard Chartered and other banks continue to do business with Bidco Africa.

The Bidco Truth Coalition calls on BEI, its patron, The Prince of Wales, and BEI’s nine member banks to publically state that they will no longer do business with Bidco and other companies that destroy the environment.

Major General (retired) Patrick Cammaert of The Netherlands to lead an independent Special Investigation into the violence in Juba (23.08.2016)

UN House Juba

The Special Investigation team will undertake a field visit to Juba to interview the relevant interlocutors.

NEW YORK, United States of America, August 23, 2016 – The Secretary-General today announced the appointment of Major General (retired) Patrick Cammaert of The Netherlands to lead an independent Special Investigation into the violence in Juba, South Sudan, in July 2016, and the response of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

The investigation will review reports of incidents of attacks on civilians and cases of sexual violence that occurred within or in the vicinity of the UN House Protection of Civilians (POC) sites in Juba. It will also determine the actions of UNMISS and whether the Mission responded appropriately to prevent these incidents and protect civilians within its resources and capabilities at the time. In addition, the investigation will review the circumstances surrounding the attack on the Terrain Hotel and assess the Mission’s response.

The Special Investigation team will undertake a field visit to Juba to interview the relevant interlocutors. A final report will be presented to the Secretary-General within one month, the findings of which will be made public.

Major General (retired) Cammaert recently led a HQ-Board of Inquiry on the circumstances of the clashes that occurred in the UNMISS Protection of Civilians site in Malakal, South Sudan, on 17-18 February 2016. He previously had a distinguished military career in both The Netherlands with the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps and the United Nations, including as Force Commander in United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE), as Military Advisor to the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), and as General Officer Commanding the Eastern Division in the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC).

DP Statement on current affairs Omoro Election, Kifeesi Police, Parliament Amendments and Police Reshuffle (23.08.2016)

DP 23.08.2016

Kampala August 23, 2016– The Elections for the Omoro District Woman MP will be held next week Monday 29th August 2016. We wish to retaliate that our Candidate Pamella Grace Lanyero is still a front runner in the race. We have finalized all efforts to protect the vote and this week we shall round up the campaigns with three Main Rallies. We shall with effect from tomorrow send our teams led by Members of Parliament; DP Whip Hon Ssewungu Joseph Gonzaga and the Women President Florence Namayanja. The Party President Norbert Mao will be the overall Field Commander. We have mapped the Constituency to the effect that the DP District Leaderships are to be deployed in respective sub-counties. This therefore puts a straight forward warning to all those with ill intensions of pandering in malpractices. The Kifeesi teams, crime preventers and police should therefore limit themselves only to the constitutional provisions pursuant to Electoral laws. We wish to participate in a free and fair process and we shall not be liable for any repercussions pursuant to contradicting the process.

Constitution Amendment Bill 2016

We are also concerned about the proposal, which is part of several amendments proposed in the Constitution Amendment Bill 2016 and is spearheaded by the Nakifuma County MP to provide for an open term of office for Commissioners under the Electoral Commission. The Bill seeking to extend the term of office of the Commissioners from the current ten-year non-renewable term to an open in a guise to allow for the Commission to retain more experienced individuals to run it is a blunder. This move by all means serves interests of Government and the President in particular. The appointment and permanent retention in such a move is ploy of recycled inefficiency and reward for stealing a vote at a period when no one has trust in the Commission as the President’s employees. This is evidenced in rewarding Eng. Badru Kiggundu in his new appointment as in-charge of Karuma and Isimba Power Dams Construction for the job well done in the EC. We are aware that this is a pilot plot to pave way for Life Presidency and we ask the President and his team to put their hands off the destiny of Uganda.

Police Public Relations Office Reshuffle
The country received the news of the reshuffle of the former Police PRO Fred Enanga. It is never astonishing that the Police Spokesperson is reshuffled because we have seen many come and go. What is startling is how a one Fred Enanga is replaced by the cantankerous Andrew Felix Kaweesi. The move saves Fred Enanga from living a life with his foot perpetually in his mouth. The Party is convinced that this reshuffle at such a time is uncalled for, diversionary and a political move from the IGP to cover up his recent mess in the Police but worse still; the organized mob he aided to attack the Courts of Judicature. We wish to stand clearly and state that the appointment of Kaweesi as the Police image, whether in interim or utilitarian capacity is not welcome at all. The personality of the Spokesperson brings out the entire image of the institution and that cannot be Kaweesi. We have a track-record of him from the days when he was in charge of the Police training school in Masindi. All Police officers who were passed out during his time have messed up the institution and haven’t acted any different from Aron Baguma, Arinaitwe Bwana among others. These are the fruits of Kaweesi!

When he was appointed Kampala Metropolitan Zonal Police Commander, his rough, inhuman and deadly actions as an individual are still fresh in the minds of the people of Kampala and the Metropolitan. This was a bit covered up when he was transferred to head the Human Resource Department and AIGP Director of operations. We have for long known that this is the true image of the Police, but the appointment of a person of such calibre will leave all Ugandans weeping whenever he appears in the media to justify police positions. Whereas the entire institution is rotten, we are convinced there is a better rot than Kaweesi! As a Party, we task Kaweesi in his new capacity to parade IGP Kale Kayihura instead of parading lower officers such as the truck driver. The IGP is at large and he disobeyed Court Criminal Summons.

Kakande Kenneth Paul
Publicity Secretary

 

Former Vice President Riek Machar flees to Sudan (Youtube-Clip)

“Sudan’s government has now confirmed receiving South Sudan’s former vice president Riek Machar, on what they described as humanitarian grounds. According to a statement from Sudan’s government spokesman, Machar is in need of urgent medical attention. His health condition is however said to be stable. Officials say Machar will get full medical supervision while in Khartoum. He is expected to leave the country for a destination of his choice to complete his medical treatment. The United nations had last week confirmed having helped evacuate Machar from a region within the DR Congo, near the border with South Sudan. There was however confusion about his whereabouts, after authorities in DR Congo denied the UN claims that Machar was in their hands” (CCTV Africa, 2016)

UNMISS release the estimated civilians or “Protection of Civilians” seeking safety at “PoC Sites” in South Sudan (22.08.2016)

UNMISS 22.08.2016

Opinion: A little rant to the long serving Presidents out there; I had too after the NBS TV Uganda 100 days since M7 stole the Election BS recently…

M7 100 Days

With the NBS TV Uganda who wanted to ask President Museveni how he felt after his first 100 days into his 5th official term… how he felt of his achievements as Executive after a hundred days we’re the journalist questions to the man who have ruled since 1986. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has run the Ugandan Republic for over 10950 days! So the question was blurred out and surely lost sight of the reality of their long serving Executive.

The same can be said with President Robert Mugabe who is heated and demonstrated against in Zimbabwe. In a country with fiscal economic issues and loss of agricultural output together with weaken production as the El Nino has hurt the economy more. Together with rampant corruption and a Zanu-PF Elite who are more concern with their luxurious vehicles in Harare than the empty stomachs of the poor working class. This happens while the Police are brutalizing the demonstrators and the ones speaking against the government are either harassed or detained. Even hurt so they end up at the Hospital. So the dire oblivion for the economic landscape as the tension between the citizens and draconian state will not dissolve overnight.

Hon. Kemi Adeosun said this on the 18th August: “The Economy is challenged and people are extremely frustrated, and we need to rebuild fundamentality. We need to prioritize… We need to realize that with the collapse of commodity prices. We don’t have enough  foreign exchange to buy as many imported goods as we like to, so when there is import substitution, we must embrace it”.

Zim Ministry of Information

When the Financial Minister says this as the Opposition are harassed and the public is silence and more draconian laws like Cyber Crime laws coming in Parliament. Show’s the ability of Zimbabwean regime wishes to push laws to silence social media and other dissidents as the policies and the regulations of Zanu-PF haven’t born fruits. This has to be hurtful for the President who has had years upon years to build, instead has skimmed money for himself and his elite.

Therefore with the knowledge of President Museveni (Sudan), President Deby (Chad), President Dos Santos (Angola) , President Nkurunziza (Burundi) , President Kagame (Rwanda), President Kabila (DRC), President Bashir (Sudan), President Afewerki (Eritrea), President Guelleh (Djibouti) and President Mugabe (Zimbabwe) has all been sitting a long time and has nothing new to show (and surely I could given some honourable mentions that I haven’t said). They can’t and they are not hungry to deliver. If they deliver or does anything profound it would be by rare luck or a new cash-cow for their elites and the political affiliates.

It is a reason why the Members of Parliament are greedy, why the corrupt behavior is happening and why the transparency is so low. The Executives who runs for life and runs for decades upon decades wish to run the game without question. That is their wish and their ways of assembling the needed riches for themselves.

NRM Oyee! 09.04.2016

President Museveni might drop by district and deliver some equipment and check of a few million shillings, but the depleted hospitals and schools isn’t built on wink and nudge from the master. While the inflation and the unstable currency doesn’t make the investors safe to have a haven of business in Uganda. This together with everything is connected to the President and his entourage as the family of Museveni is connected to all kind of business and agreements. Land is being delivered to the Elite or Financial backers, while locals and Internal Displaced Persons are living decades-on in camps. So the Museveni cannot drop a new sense of accountability as the walking budget isn’t promising anything new or creating a solid foundation now as that is not in his interest.

The interest of these long serving leaders isn’t to have strong institutions; they want them weak and keep people loyal around them. The Electorate and Citizens are not really important they are only important when they are pawns useful to trade aid or trade agreements of government loans to secure fiscal funding of the Financial Year and the Budget.  

These long serving leaders have control over foreign exchange, central banks and also the businesses that are vital for export commodities so that they can earn money on the hard work of the citizens as they do what they can to survive and live basic on the mercy of these political leaders. This happens years upon end… without question and with the powers of controlling the heads of the Military and Police so they can silence the population. Therefore the worst crimes aren’t murders or stealing under these dictatorships. The worst crime and worst offence is to offend and counter-claim the legitimacy of the Executive. Parts of that is also to solidify popular support of the public and therefore needs to be detained and charged with amazing amounts affidavits and draconian laws to determine the fate of the opposition by any means.

So this is the profile of the fellow Presidents, they are doing it in their own way, but the key of results is this: keep themselves in Power and secure the government funds together with business in the Nation for their loyalist and the people that the President can trust.

swiss leaks africa accounts

Since they cannot win the popular ballots as some of them could have in their first elections and ballots as they might have liberated the Nation or even gotten rid of former dictators or the fantastically corrupt who used the army and economy themselves to build palaces and get more government funds into Swiss Bank Accounts than amounts of sheep on New Zealand. The Presidents and their elites are in recent elections either using fear, armies to disrupt and silence opposition; if that doesn’t work ballot-stuffing, pre-ticked ballots and even stop the counting and fix the result for the Ruling Regime. So that the “legitimate” government is still there and with their “elected” men and woman even if the Electorate meant differently. That has happen again and again. The Presidents uses elections as big-caving events and periods to finally buy loyalty of local communities and give pledges that they have never plans to achieve as they keep the district in dire poverty to secure the aid and donor funds. While having ability to skim the funds and take the taxpayer’s money as the accountability doesn’t matter as much as the personal relationship between the Elite on the top. So when the President passes by the impoverished district he would drop some shillings and pay the community leaders with a new car or big brown envelope.

Why do we accept these men to run these ruthless games and when is this supposed to end?

When will the public and citizens be respected?

What do you think about my opinions, does they fit the bill?

Do you have any answers as I was just ranting again today! Peace.

Besigye campaigns for FDC candidates in Omoro district (Youtube-Clip)

“FDC’s Dr. Kizza Besigye has pitched camp in Omoro district where he is campaigning for the Forum for Democratic Party candidates contesting for the woman parliamentary and District Chairperson seats. Besigye implored locals to fight poverty and disease” (NTV Uganda, 2016)

Hundreds of Children recruited by Armed Groups in South Sudan, as Violations against Women and Children Increase (19.08.2016)

South Kordofan Sudan

An estimated 16,000 children have been recruited by armed groups and armed forces since the crisis in South Sudan first began in December 2013.

NEW YORK, United States of America, August 19, 2016 -More than 650 children have been recruited into armed groups in South Sudan since the beginning of this year, UNICEF said today. Fearful that renewed conflict could put tens of thousands of children at ever greater risk, UNICEF called for an immediate end to recruitment and the unconditional release of all children by armed actors.

An estimated 16,000 children have been recruited by armed groups and armed forces since the crisis in South Sudan first began in December 2013. UNICEF said children continue to be recruited and used by armed groups and forces despite widespread political commitment to end the practice. “The dream we all shared for the children of this young country has become a nightmare,” said UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Justin Forsyth, speaking from Nairobi following a trip to Bentiu and Juba in South Sudan. “At this precarious stage in South Sudan’s short history, UNICEF fears that a further spike in child recruitment could be imminent.”

In 2015 UNICEF oversaw the release of 1,775 former child soldiers in what was one of the largest demobilizations of children ever. Renewed fighting and recruitment in South Sudan risks undermining much of this progress.

UNICEF also highlighted increased grave violations in the world’s youngest country, noting that gender-based violence, already pervasive, has greatly intensified during the current crisis.

“Children continue to endure horrific ordeals,” said Forsyth. “Recent reports point to widespread sexual violence against girls and women. The systematic use of rape, sexual exploitation and abduction as a weapon of war in South Sudan must cease, together with the impunity for all perpetrators.”

UNICEF noted that unconditional access for all humanitarian interventions in Juba and all other parts of the country is urgently needed so as to provide support, protection, and assistance to children and women across the country.“Without a fully operational humanitarian sector, the consequences for children and their families will be catastrophic,” said Forsyth.

Press Release: Update on the Press Conference of the Legitimate FVP Dr. Riek Machar (18.08.2016)

SPLM-IO 18.08.2016

INTERVIEW: Machar flees, said to be in ‘neighbouring country’ (Youtube-Clip)

“Mabior Garang, a spokesman for Riek Machar’s SPLM-In Opposition party, joins us live in our Studios to give us further information on the former vice President’s situation. Here are the questions…
Q1. Mabior… Do you know where doctor Riek Machar is and his current condition?
Q2. While refusing to return to Juba, until after the deployment of a buffer force, DR Machar had insisted on staying on in South Sudan. Why has he found it necessary to leave the country now? What is is his plan?
Q3. President Salva Kiir and his new First Vice President Taban Gai Deng, have insisted that there is now no role for Riek Machar in the Unity government and that the country can implement the peace deal without him. What’s Riek Machar’s view on this?” (CCTV Africa, 2016)