The Police Force enforcing a colonial law when they are: “allowed to kill”

Some days you wonder, you wonder why the authorities is doing what they are doing. When the stakeholders were in shock yesterday. The truth is by law to quell to riots and demonstrations are they lawfully allowed to quell by brutal means, as these laws was installed while still being a protectorate and no one has seemed to wanted to amend or repeal this part of the Penal Code Act, which by all means gives the Uganda Police Force. Possibilities beyond usual measures of arrests without warrants or even imposing the Public Order Management Act of 2010. This is an inherited law that the National Resistance Movement and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has no issues with keeping alive.

Statement UPF Statement with stakeholders:

“We have engagement rules, where we are supposed to use excessive force,” Mugenyi said. “That is why we have these. That is why I am armed and you are not. The state is allowed to kill.” “We can kill you and even compensate you,” Mugenyi went on as the stakeholders looked on in shock” (Joshua Nahamya – ‘The State Is Allowed to Kill – AIGP Mugenyi’ 10.10.2018 link: https://chimpreports.com/the-state-is-allowed-to-kill-aigp-mugenyi/).

As you see yesterday, the AIGP is sadly right, they have the rights to do so. This is shows the possible legal ramifications and the costs can easily be pushed on the private person attending the rally and resisting the law-enforcement. I wish it wasn’t like this, but they are allowed to do so, when they are quelling riots and demonstrations, as these laws was made to stop protests against the King and Commonwealth. These laws was not made to ensure civic rules or democratic values in the Republic. That is why they sound like this!

Penal Code Act of 1950 Chapter VII subsection 69:

“If upon the expiration of a reasonable time after the proclamation is made, or after the making of the proclamation has been prevented by force, twelve or more persons continue riotously assembled together, any person authorised to make the proclamation, or any police officer or any other person acting in aid of that person or police officer, may do all things necessary for dispersing the persons so continuing assembled or for apprehending them or any of them, and if any person makes resistance, may use all such force as is reasonably necessary for overcoming such resistance and shall not be liable in any criminal or civil proceeding for having, by the use of such force, caused harm or death to any person” (Penal Code of 1950).

Nevertheless, the brutality and the legality should still be in question, as this should be the last resort, not the first, not the second, but the final straw. When it is boiling over and no-control, before anarchy, however, the Uganda Police Force and Uganda People’s Defence Force are using these measures to easily and haven’t exhausted the different approaches even. As the person isn’t only supposed to be on the streets, but resist arrest to a certain degree, at which point the law-enforcement is not legally liable for the harm or death. That shows the brutality of the measure, which was enacted in 1950 and lingers until this day.

The NRM have surely not tried to discuss or even given a fig about the justification or reverse this law. AS that hasn’t been in their interests, as they wanted the same possibilities to silence the opposition and their demonstrations. That is clearly been the outcome. The NRM didn’t change this, because of their will-power to control and silence opposition. If they had democratic values, they would have amended this or repealed this sub-section of the Penal Code. However, they prefer being colonial masters to their citizens, than treating them as fellow citizens, but subjects underneath their demi-god Museveni. Peace.

South Sudan: CTSAMVM Technical Committee Second Meeting Report, Khartoum, Sudan October 10, 2018 (10.10.2018)

IGAD: Woman representation in R-ARCSS Agreement Institutions and Mechanisms (09.10.2018)

Francis Butebi Zaake MP Statement: Broken but never changed, Thursday 11/10/2018 is the Day! (10.10.2018)

Friends, Foes and frenemies, it has been long since we last communicated. I must profoundly aver that life has not been easy especially in the period between now and the 13th day of August, 2018 when we were attacked by miscreant beings from SFC.

These guys battered me excessively to the extent that my body could no longer feel the pain, I think that after failing to kill me during the “Togikwatako” Saga, they thought that another opportunity had presented itself to them to completely eliminate me. Well, let’s say they had eliminated me. God forbid! Would that stop the incessant killings in Uganda or it would improve on the health care services in HCs? Would it in anyway construct standard roads or it would arrest the escalating pecuniary difficulties amongst the plebs in Uganda? Kindly enlighten us whether it would solve the conundrum of Corruption, nepotism and sectarianism in our Country? Would that really solve the unresolved Land problem in Uganda? If the answer to any of the above questions is no, then, God will erect many youths reading from the same script as myself, trust me when the late Cerinah Nebanda was brutally murdered, many of us joined the struggle and here we are exactly reading from the same script as her.

Last year, when I had just come back from overseas to seek medical treatment, I recollect making statements as to who has authentication to take away my life and I wish to reecho the same here. It is only God who has capacity to end my life at His will because he authored it and for the same reason, I am grateful to Him that I am now feeling better, no migraines, less pain in the neck and for the scars on my hands, back and other body parts, I shall live with them.

It is a public secret that, Health workers that attended to me in Lubaga Hospital were intimidated during and after my admission in the Lubaga Hospital by the state, but, you guys braved the storm by never relenting. In Mannipal Hospital through Ugandan Embassy, the state of Uganda attempted to conspire and obtain my medical documents but the professional ethics that these medical workers exhibit, made their efforts futile.

The other issue prudent for all to know is that, foreign chemical substances were detected in my body system, perhaps slow killer poison but luckily the specialists managed the situation early by a general body cleansing after which procedure the medics declared that, I am out of danger and that I can now completely heal from home an idea which was highly welcomed because this red pepper can really be boring but most importantly, I miss home. With such declarations, on Thursday 11/10/2018 at exactly Midday, I will be back home and home will be sweet home. I am just waiting for a fit to flight document.

Even though I am yearning for Mityana Municipality, the major challenge that befalls me as of now which I think my People should know is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder comingled with Panic attacks on recollection of events stretching way back from 27/09/2017 during the Togikwatako epoch, lack of balance while walking is also an issue now, I must support myself to walk but the good news is that I am told that after continued Physiotherapy sessions, I can walk again.

With much grief, I take this opportunity to commiserate with those families that lost their beloved ones during demonstrations all over the Country that were intended to demand for our freedom, in Mityana Municipality alone many People died in the hands of the Police which is by law mandated to protect life and property but in lieu resorted to killing innocent and unarmed civilians. That was so unfortunate!

There has been propaganda orchestrated by the state to justify their wrong doing that People Power is a violent group. That is not true, we are non-violent, and we associate ourselves with the principle of Mahatma Gandhi which states that an eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind. We can never be violent and never shall we ever be, we have always advised our followers never to be violent because two wrongs can’t make a right. I want to iterate and reiterate here that People Power is never violent and also our People aren’t violent. We are just seeking transfer of power to a generation that will address the current constitutional crisis that befalls us as a Country and we intend to do this with utmost tranquility unless otherwise the state plants a bad group among us. Upon that, I wish to remind our People to be peaceful, we must show good conduct that distinguishes us from them.

Lastly and important, I wish to thank AAR Insurance for meeting my medical bills both in Lubaga Hospital and Mannipal Hospital whose doctors have been so kind to us, I appreciate your professionalism.

Thank you the doctors and all the medical workers of Lubaga Hospital for handling my situation with great care and love, may God bless you

Thank you the People of Uganda for praying with me, I am fine and I am coming home on Thursday this week. When I come I shall answer many unanswered questions by dispelling the myths about my story in Arua and I will surely disclose what exactly happened.

Thank you

Zaake Francis Butebi. MP Mityana Municipality

People Power Our Power

South Sudan Woman’s Coaltion: Parties to the Revitalized ARCSS should Unreservedly Implement at least (35%) Participation and Representation of Woman Provided in the Revitalized Peace Agreement (10.10.2018)

32 Years of Recycling: The Vital Moments of Uganda at 56 Celebration in the words of Bosco!

Well, there wasn’t much news or much breaking news in the midst of this Independence Day Speech. However, when it comes to Bosco or Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, he is the king of recycling. I will not even go into that. I don’t have the time or the bother to address it. We want to live and breathe too. Museveni is himself to a T, but that is not securing the state, but solidifying his position. He is really showing his revenge and his wish for all control in this speech. This wasn’t a speech of statesman or a father of a nation. Not that he is either of those, he is the guy that made a coup d’etat and wasted what he inherited by the ones he overcome.

So, with that in mind, Yoseri from Ankoli, what’s up?

A Snippet of the Independence Day Speech:

On the side of stability, I want to assure Ugandans of their security. The country is generally secure and peaceful, save for the persistent threats and incidents as well as violent criminality. Uganda had a lot of challenges even after the NRM took power. Eventually, by 2007, the UPDF totally defeated Kony, ADF, the other rebel groups and disarmed the Karimojong. Some of the terrorists of ADF as well as other criminal elements, seeing that they could not survive in the rural areas, infiltrated into the towns where we had not fully focused in terms of developing intelligence capacity. As a consequence, we had 7 Sheiks assassinated as well as Major Kiggundu, Joan Kagezi, AIGP Kaweesi Susan Magara, Abiliga and Kirumira of recent” (Museveni, 09.10.2018).

That he said he has defeated Kony and LRA is not true, they are just not in his territory. The LRA are still existing to a degree and causing havoc in the Central African Republic. Neither is the destruction of the ADF, which he always blames for crimes and terrorism in the Republic. They are even blamed for the death of Kirumira and who knows for Abiriga, when that comes up. ADF are still in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Therefore, these security measures are not fulfilled, secondly all these assassination and killings are not proving that the Republic is safer, but otherwise. Certainly, no one can say that Operation Thunder in the DRC in 2008 was a success, only if you rewriting history and forget losing a military helicopter over nothing.

An extract of what was said at the CCTV Launch:

These killers must be afraid that Uganda is rising, which is why they are murdering our people to scare us. However, we shall defeat them. People who trust God like me are never shaken by lice. When you want to wage war, you should come and declare. The Killers have touched the Leopard’s tail and the will see. But as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water. They came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!”…But He said to them, “Where is your faith?” The killers in town do not have the capacity to fight, but to hide like mosquitoes. This forced us to install cameras, to be our nose, ears and eyes. I was even able to see those who eat sugar canes and litter the streets.” (Museveni, 09.10.2018).

Certainly, he pounds on security and today he unveiled the CCTV Cameras and the Surveillance Centre of the state, which was new on Independence Day. It is a nice effort after promising for dozens of elections and plenty of rallies over the years. That he finally could show it off. However, this is not the ones that solves all crimes. If so, in the city of most CCTV Cameras there wouldn’t be crimes committed or even unsolvable crimes, alas, there is and the Kampala Metropolitan Police should co-operate with London Metropolitan Police to learn from their years of experience and how to use the CCTV. Because they are the city with the most cameras.

Clearly, this has all hurt his pride, as he knows these killings are leaving a deadly stench on his hands. As the old sins are buried, but not forgotten, however, easier to get away with. Now, the fresh wounds are in the open and these mechanisms can make him look a bit good, however, that train is a bit late. The flight has already taken-off and his time is over. It is just like he doesn’t accept that, as the President thinks he can still micro-mange things. Nevertheless, he cannot, because he even back-talk what people are doing.

He even talked down people eating sugarcane and if your complaining about littering and garbage in the streets, why haven’t you made a substantial budget, put in the efforts to give money and polices to clean Kampala and secure that the waste is already gone? You haven’t even invested in bins or garbage trucks. So, let this people eat their sugarcane, not like you cared before you watched for a hot minute today on the screens.

Bosco, should get serious, but that opportunity has left us a long time ago. He is just winging it and hoping it doesn’t fail him. Spending on cronies and wasting government funds like there is no tomorrow. Peace.

South Sudan: SPLM Leaders – Former Political Detainees Ratify the Revitalized Agreement (09.10.2018)

South Sudan: International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) available to facilitate release of detainees (09.10.2018)

As a neutral intermediary, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is not involved in any negotiations preceding any release of detainees.

JUBA, South Sudan, October 9, 2018 – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is prepared to facilitate the release of detainees for all parties to the conflict in South Sudan. This is in-line with the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, which mentions the ICRC as a facilitator of persons detained in relation to the conflict.

“We have offered our services to all sides and confirmed our readiness to act as a neutral facilitator for the release of detainees,” said François Stamm, the head of delegation for the ICRC in South Sudan. “The ICRC has previously acted as a neutral intermediary in release operations in South Sudan and we will do so again at the request of the parties to the conflict and with the consent of detainees.”

As a neutral intermediary, the ICRC is not involved in any negotiations preceding any release of detainees. The ICRC facilitates the release with the consent of those detained who have the opportunity to share their concerns confidentially and then provides them with safe transport. The ICRC is in confidential dialogue with the parties to the conflict.

My letter to President Museveni: Uganda at 56, what is there to celebrate today?

Oslo, 9th October 2018

Dear honourable, His Excellency, the fountain of honour and anything else, high and mighty, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni!

I am writing this simple and short letter to you, as the Republic is celebrating that it went from being a protectorate of the British to become an own independent state. These 56 years has been rocky, and you have been the longest lasting leader and the only one being supreme for this long. You have had all control since 1986. That is 32 years of the 56 years. Which is a long time in power.

Today is a hard day to celebrate, as the problems of the independence are still there, the same issues. Maybe people have cell phones and internet, maybe some have businesses and there are more influence from abroad, but development as whole isn’t that bright. The weakest currency in the area, growing debts and lack of a positive future. As the black gold and the secrecy of deals, is the stuff that only you know off.

If they stand up to you, they get imprisoned, get detained and arrested, they get tortured and charged for crimes against the state, your security forces quell demonstrations and riots, your security forces kills civilians and you accept that. It is hard to see freedom in that, as well, as all agreements and transactions has to be accepted by the State House, meaning you.

Nothing is done without you, the orders from high above, the orders of destruction, the orders of loans and the orders of arrests. These are all done on favours for your and the company you keep.

The citizens aren’t free today, they are limited and the limitations you have given them. It is your boundaries and your micro managing that controls them. Mr. President, they are not liberated. They are liberated from the Crown of England, the Commonwealth of the United Kingdom, but they are not free from toils, sweat and tears. They are not free from tyranny and oppression. Instead of being an white man who is sanctioned from London to monitor the Protectorate, there is a guy in the State House doing the same. That is why Besigye was detained like a colonial criminal in Moroto, to get him away from the Baganda. That is the reality.

Instead of developing a better future for the generations to come, you will be remembered as the man who did the same as the ones before him. Just for his own personal greed of power and wealth, while keeping the public poor. Instead of remembering the achievements and programs like the Ten Point Program, you will be remembered for the tyranny and the oppression, the acts of contempt for rule of law and justice. The rigging and the lack of succession.

They will never really be free as long as everything is by decree from you becomes law, the other institutions and government organizations are your mere foot soldiers. That is maybe what you wished for, when you said your were the only man with a vision, now everyone is following your visions blindly.

Best regards

Writer of Minbane

Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine: Independence Day Message (09.10.2018)

“It was the 9th October 1962 when a nation was born. Beatiful and endowed, with a promise of DEMOCRACY. With UNITY in DIVERSITY, all on a mission to build a nation that would make life better for the future GENERATIONS. Well, indeed WE ARE THAT GENERATION- the grandchildren of the independence generation and, oh yes, the grandparents of the future generations.
We must, within ourselves, find solutions since our leaders don’t seem to care for the #NextGeneration but instead care for the next general election.”

Our nation Uganda was born 56 years ago. It has been a journey of joys and sorrows. Hopes and disappointments. Achievements and failures. As we commemorate this day, may we make a new commitment to soldier on day by day, step by step, until Uganda is truly free.