
South Sudan: SSOA – Press Statement (04.12.2018)



Rape and other forms of sexual violence have been a consistent feature of the conflict in South Sudan, used both as a tactic of war and a driver of forced displacement.
NEW YORK, United States of America, December 4, 2018 – The Secretary-General strongly condemns the brutal sexual attacks perpetrated against women and girls in the last ten days in the Unity region of South Sudan. These horrific acts are a distressing reminder of how, despite recent recommitments by South Sudan’s leaders to a cessation of hostilities and a revitalized peace agreement, the security situation for civilians remains dire, especially for women and children.
Rape and other forms of sexual violence have been a consistent feature of the conflict in South Sudan, used both as a tactic of war and a driver of forced displacement. The Secretary-General underlines that such predatory behavior against the most vulnerable is unacceptable.
The Secretary-General urges the leaders of all the parties to the conflict – and future leaders in the Transitional Government of National Unity – to ensure the safety of civilians and address impunity for these crimes through investigation and prosecution of perpetrators, including through the operationalization of the Hybrid Court, as an immediate priority.
The Secretary-General underlines that the only viable solution for the security and prosperity of the people of South Sudan is the immediate cessation of hostilities and the full implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan. The United Nations stands ready to support all national, regional and international efforts to that effect.

Since 15th August 2018 Arua By-Election there been in the works a Treason Charge against the Members of Parliament who participated in the campaign there. This has been the reality since the By-Election, where plenty of the MPs was held incommunicado and were tortured by the authorities. That is why today, the proof of how long the prolonged the case has been already.
We are now in the beginning of December. Today is the 3rd December 2018 and the Gulu Magistrate Court ajourned until 10th January 2018. This one started already after being put on bail on the 27th August 2018, that was nearly 13 days without proper justice or rule of law. As the MPs and the other connected to the campaign was in legal limbo. Therefore, today is another day of disgrace from the state.
That Robert Kyagulanyi Aka Bobi Wine, Gerald Karuhanga, Paul Mwiru, Kassiano Wadri and Francis Zaake are the MPs who are in trouble together with the other Arua 33, who deserves to be credited. As they are connected and linked into the Treason Charge case and possible violence against the Presidential Convoy. However, there are no case against the ones killing the driver of Bobi Wine, Yasin Kawuma. Who had deserved justice, as he was shot directly in the car of Bobi Wine. As the MPs and others was captured by the Presidential Guards or Military Officers in Arua.
Therefore, today is mockery of justice, as we know the story has changed by the President. The Arua Stone and all the supposed violence. Where the ones most hurt and obviously hit was the opposition. The same opposition who are lingering in court long after the By-Election. This is a sign of how the state takes care of its own and who has value. As the state didn’t take the loss of the Yellow MP Seat in Arua Muncipality, where Hon. Ibrahim Abiriga was from and he was assassinated on the 8th June 2018. Therefore, if it wasn’t for an unfortunate death, there wouldn’t be more hurt. The spiral of death didn’t stop. After that it has been torture and people have been damaged. Just because they stood up to the authorities. That is the truth.
With all this in mind, that the Police say they need more time to collect evidence is for stalling time. If this was true, then they wouldn’t have thrown away the gun-charges and the ammunition they “found” in the Hotel and put on Bobi Wine. Because everyone knew they were put there by the army, as it was monopolized arms and guns of the UPDF. That is why that one was taken away. The rest is only political game with the misuse of the courts to benefit the government. As a time shedding environment and ensuring it is harder for the opposition to do their political work.
This is far from the final time these people are summoned and has trials at the Gulu Magistrate Court. They will be called back, not only in January but all through out 2019. It might be pushed into 2020 or even 2021. Because the NRM and President Museveni usually gifts the long-lasting cases to Opposition leaders.
So, expect that in the case of Bobi Wine and Arua 33. They are all going to be in a treadmill of legal jeopardy. Peace.


Today, again the Uganda Police Force has blocked another Concert, which the Member of Parliament Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine from doing on the 2nd December 2018 in Gulu. This is not the first time he has been blocked. It is very common for the Police to block the opposition and their leaders.
This is just a long run of impunity… it is tradition and not surprised, especially considering the Trial Date for the Treason Charge and the Election Violence case on the 3rd December 2018 at the Gulu Magistrate Court tomorrow. Even if that wouldn’t happen, the Police would block it as it is troubling to see a figure of the stature of Bobi Wine come to town. They surely used the Public Order Management Act and to secure the public, but this was within one venue that was notified in the 4th November 2018 and suddenly closed off. The day that the concert was supposed to happen.
Bobi Wine’s statement:
“So yet again, our concert in Gulu has been blocked by the police! We wrote to them three weeks ago informing them of the show and requested them for security. We compiled with all the laws and invested a lot of resources preparing for the show. Today, the police showed up at the venue cutting all banners and other advertising material without giving any explanation. Police patrol vehicles have been moving around Gulu town, removing all the banners and posters! The promoters have been trying to call all responsible officers, and all they say is that they have ‘orders from above’ not to let me perform. Dear brothers and sisters in Gulu, I was looking forward to having a good time with you tonight. Very soon it will be possible. I know that God willing, one day, we shall free ourselves from this mess and be able to enjoy ourselves in the new Uganda. In the meantime, we shall stop at nothing in challenging this kind of injustice and gross violation of rights. We shall communicate to the nation about our next step. Tomorrow we shall be at Gulu High Court at 9:00am, concerning the tramped up charges from the Arua incident” (Bobi Wine, 02.12.2018).
This side of story is sadly to common. If your someone who the authorities and the government sees as a threat. You will be under fire, struggle to do your business and operate as a political party or entity. The ones who are the opposition will be in trouble. As shown with plenty within the Democratic Party, Forum for Democratic Change and Independents. Right now, Bobi Wine is an arch-nemesis on the line of Dr. Kizza Besigye. The only thing missing right now is that Bobi Wine are getting house-arrested like him.
We are seeing, what we have seen before. This is currently the attitude of the police and the NRM regime. Who are attacking their rights to assemble and even stopping their livelihood. When concerning Bobi Wine, it is stopping his musical career and his concerts. He was able to pull of the album launch. Only when he fixed it on his own plot on One Love Beach. Before that, the authorities was blocking him and made change dates.
For Bobi Wine he is starting to feel it and that is showing what troubles that is ahead. They will not make it easy for him. The authorities will clearly make life hard for him. Bobi Wine are now one of the targets of the state. His People Power message is scaring the government and the President. It hits a nerve at a tired public of the 32 years and counting. They are not the automatically loyal subjects of the President or his Movement. Even if that is what the President wishes. Peace.
The letter notifying the authorities:














The UN Office of Internal Oversight (OIOS) audit report into UNHCR’s Uganda operation, released this week, contains findings that show clear gaps and weaknesses in risk management in a number of areas during the period between July 2016 and December 2017. The audit followed the massive influx of refugees from South Sudan in 2016 – mid 2017, when UNHCR’s staffing capacity in key functions and in remote locations was very low, followed by a rapidly expanded operation in the second half of 2017 with many new staff and partners.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is in the business of saving lives and protecting people. Maintaining the trust and confidence of our donors and of the general public is of utmost importance to us. A number of internal reviews and technical oversight missions had identified risky areas in the operation during 2017. UNHCR worked closely with the OIOS auditors, who came to Uganda in February 2017, identifying issues and providing information that was used in the audit. We have accepted the recommendations of the OIOS auditors and have been working to address them well before this report was issued on 27 November, including in conjunction with Uganda’s Office of the Prime Minister.
Underscoring the urgency with which UNHCR was seized with these issues, the High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, visited Kampala in January 2018 to assess the complex challenges being faced in the refugee response and meet with the government at the highest level. Amongst other measures introduced, he agreed with the Prime Minister to launch the verification exercise into refugee registration data just completed. He also upgraded the leadership of the UNHCR operation to manage these challenges. Various corrective measures have been put in place, supported by a plan for ongoing and future actions. There is continuous follow-up.
Measures we have taken to date include revising or redesigning and rolling out new Standard Operating Procedures for the reception of refugees, their registration, protection, assistance (food, non-food items – core relief supplies) and case management. The complaints and feedback mechanisms for refugees have been strengthened with a new inter-agency call-centre. We have also strengthened staffing in key operations functions, in particular with regard to reinforced capacities in oversight and management. These include the establishment of a senior post in risk management and compliance. Monitoring and reporting functions have additionally been reviewed, revised and enhanced.
In regard to road construction, an investigation is ongoing and we are pursuing a full recovery of funds from any project partners of concern. Allowances paid to civil servants are verified through attendance records and payment to individual bank accounts with overall responsibility lying with the government.
To address concerns about the accuracy of registration data, a countrywide biometric verification exercise of the refugee and asylum-seeker population was conducted between March and October 2018. The Government of Uganda is now committed to using the appropriate tools for continuous registration, which is their responsibility, and to ensuring the integrity of the registration process. The strengthened registration and case management systems will improve service and assistance delivery, including distribution of food. UNHCR is working closely with the Office of the Prime Minister in the roll-out of these new systems and jointly addressing obstacles that emerge in their practical application at field level.
UNHCR has also closely reviewed its monitoring of water delivery trucking in remote refugee settlements. We are doing top-to-bottom reviews of contracts, invoices and delivery verification before proceeding with any payments. Significant progress has been made in reducing water trucking, which is expensive, from 37 per cent in May 2017 to 7 per cent over the course of the year, following completion of several water schemes in Rhino, Imvepi and Palorinya refugee settlements in northern Uganda. With the new measures in place, we expect a further reduction to 5 per cent in December 2018.
The audit recommendations vis-à-vis partnership management, performance monitoring, procurement procedures, non-food item distribution and warehouse management are being addressed and toughened measures have been put in place, including with partner organizations and the Office of the Prime Minister, where these activities are jointly implemented. Progress will be reviewed regularly.
UNHCR has additionally established a high-level dialogue with the Office of the Prime Minister and other government authorities on the audit findings, including regarding recovery of funds as may be needed. Fuel cards and vehicle tracking have been introduced for implementation in 2019. A task force has been set up to review projects implemented by the Office of the Prime Minister. A preliminary report is due in mid-December.
UNHCR is determined to ensure the full integrity of the refugee response in Uganda and is addressing all issues identified in the audit report.

Today, it was two vital reports that came out on the subject. Both was how the National Resistance Movement, the NRM and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and his government have been involved in the South Sudan civil war. For me this wasn’t shocking or really news. The reports locally has been there.
That the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) have supported the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) with arms, guns and weapons training. Even in the midst of an United Nations Embargo. Which wasn’t long ago, that the Uganda President promised to continue to supply the South Sudanese counterparts. However, none of that has gotten as a MEMO to the Western partners of Ugandan war-machine. Who has continued to supply them with arms and later on been traded to third parties in South Sudan.
While the guns and arms been flowing, the refugees has seek shelter and relief in Northern Uganda. As the same Western partners has donated funds as the massive refugee flow from across the border. As they are fleeing the conflict and civil war. The same Ugandan government, to trick the numbers and schemes to fund various operations of the state, even buy an expensive plot for a parking lot for the Office of the Prime Minister, has used them. This is the sort of activity happens from the government, who supply arms to the conflict, they are asking the same foreign donors to help with trouble it creates.
The UNCHR has spent a total of $129,9m in 2016 and $210m in 2017 on the Refugee operation in Uganda. This while the Ugandan authorities has ballooned the numbers and added over 300,000 refugees, which was ghosts. Therefore, the UNHCR and OPM had to after the scandal have a registration and verification drive, which also cost the UN Agency money. For instance, the OPM claimed to pay for 72 civil servants working on UNHCR projects and paying them salaries, but there was no clear documentation if they really existed or had a job. There was also procurement done without prior authorization or documents going up to about $34,4m, which was not approved off or cleared by the UNHCR.
When you combine these reports, show how blatant disregard the Ugandan government have, how they are both the mediator, the arms supplier and the refugee relief. While getting both the value for money for the arms, they are getting benefit on the refugees and they are supplying high-ranking government officials because of it. You can clearly get the gist of the operation.
The Ugandan government have been earning and using the conflict to gain monetary gains, in each side of the bargain. By circumventing the arms-embargo, while being a mediator and official “peace-maker” and hosting the refugees from the same conflict. That is really staggering, when your combining all the efforts and tricks done, to get another buck. Earning fortunes on others misfortune. Peace.