FDC under siege; Dr. Kizza Besigye detained at Naggalama; Police first siege FDC HQ than later RAID it; By my recogning FDC is illegal by NRM-Police-State by now!

Road Block at Kasangati 22.02.2016

While trying to go to the Electoral Commission offices this morning, the Police had different ideas about the plans Dr. Kizza Besigye had, as when he went out of the gates of his home in Kasangati. The Police stopped his car and taken him away.

Pepper Spray Journalist KB 22.02.2016 Kasangati

He is now in Mukono or in Mukono district at Naggalama Police Station detained. As with his house arrest and his ordinary detaining terms is without reason or warrants. This is the Modus Operandi of the IGP. Gen. Kale Kayihura by now, the man who follows orders blindly from his Commander-in-Chief President Museveni; as he uses Public Order Management Act, as it the proper tool to take down and shut-down the opposition in the country. That is what has happen today while Dr. Kizza Besigye was taken from the gates of Kasangati and detained at Naggalama Police Station where they must have named a Cell after him by now.

Police KB Kasangati 22.02.2016

The Locals in Kasangati because of the steady levels of Police and roadblocks has nicknamed Kasangati “Benghazi” after the war-zone in Libya. It is surely a feeling the locals justified to have as they have more police there, as Besigye must be seen as the worst criminal in the land, by President Museveni; as he knows that he is epitome of what he is not; a man of the people and therefore he has to be contained; even if he hasn’t done anything else then living in the same country as the President.

KB Taken Away from Kasangati in Police Van 22.02.2016

CP Fred Enaga had his lies to tell the press as ever:
“Besigye’s plan to destabilize the city are foreign funded”. Mr. Police Officer, I hate throw shade on your pay-check, but your budget is donor funded and been for decades; so it’s more likely that the brown jersey your wearing with your name has been paid by a foreign government; you have to have a better argument Mr. Police Officer!

Kizza Besigye 22.02.2016

The Police has also been besieged the Electoral Commission headquarters as the Police has such a fear of the presence of the people to search or appeal the result; as the result has already been set and the Police as a NRM outfit will secure their longevity by any means at this point. Also at FDC headquarter of the Najjanankumbi the Police has sieged the offices there as well today.

FDC HQ 22.02.2016. P2

Later after the sieging of the Police they took it further as the FDC party is officially illegal, totally illegal, that is the indication for the moment as the Police Force raided the offices and rounded up the FDC staff. While even later the Party President Gen. Mugisha Muntu showed up at the gates of the offices and was not allowed by the Police to access the headquarters. As he got picked up and also detained. They went to pick the Declaration Forms, as the Electoral Commission and the Police Force has to clean-up the mess they have done as they have stolen the election; since their sins are visible in the indications of the copies of the Electoral Declaration Forms; that the Government of Uganda by all means don’t want released to the public as it is their venom.

FDC HQ 22.02.2016

Hon. Ofwono Opondo said on NBS TV today:
“To think your win is valid while win over others from the same election isn’t abuse of Ugandan intelligence”. Well, your insulting people while not really counting the ballots and rigging the elections; while telling the same people pointing it is insulting the Ugandan people; I don’t follow… as the Hon. Opondo the reason why people like me can’t see validity in this election as the too much that has occurred to counter the value of the ballots and the peoples will. Something you should know as the election has happen in a speed and way that should make people shut-up and hide your mind; because you’re a loyal cadre that is eating because of President Museveni, and if it wasn’t for him, you wouldn’t be anybody! Just as his boss Hon. Opondo said this as well: “We don’t care what the international community care thinks”. I am sure you and your boss care if the international community cuts more or suspends direct donor aid, IMF and World Bank suspends projects as the Taxes does not help the Ugandan National Development Program II, is so big that if the government supposed to fulfill the pledges of that one, the Ugandan Government need the international community, so continue not to care about the international community!

As side-note from Kabale District:
“This is it inform the world that on Saturday dawn 4.30AM the Army and Police stormed in Rukiiko hall Kabale District headquarters where tallying of votes was taking place. They forced a one Juma Shesa, the District returning officer to park all the computers as well as available declaration forms; he was taken to Kampala to the EC head quarters. Incidentally , due to the pre-ticked ballot papers in favour of the NRM presidential candidate as well as other NRM parliamentary candidates, numbers could not balance. Up till now the Woman MP results for Kabale District are not yet announced” (FDC, 22.02.2016).

So it’s truly one thing is happening from the authorities in Uganda, that the FDC and the Forum for Democratic Change is the biggest force of criminals as they are hounded detained without warrants, reason or justification other then they are an issue for the legitimacy of President Museveni official 5th Term, sorry the 7th, he can never in my view rewrite history and shave of his first decade in power. Well, this here will continue the oppression and totalitarian regime that is faking it until they hope to make it. On the way they are harassing and oppressing the parties and people who do not kiss the ring of President Museveni. Peace.

“50 Shades of Stealing Ballot’s”; Has still hope for peaceful change by the FDC; while waiting in the tense atmosphere.

Kampala 19.02.2016

As the silence of the streets, the result has been addressed and the congratulations are coming in, usually either between trading partners and close neighborhood countries that have worked together at some point with President Museveni.

The people are mourning the result as the shock of the thieving ways and the disregard of the value of the voters and ballots, as the elections was “50 shades of stealing the ballots”. The way Dr. Badru Kiggundu the chairman of the Electoral Commission ended his last term, was more of a morning ceremony where only NRM Secretary Justine Kasule Lumumba; only one with vigor and smile as the people was terrified.

The army has been on the streets, in the towns and the police force has worked hard and been armed with guns. The once seeing the pictures wondered if the authorities had plans of launching “Martial Law” or “State of Emergency”. That because of the disregard of voters with the police going in at polling stations even showing the voters whom to vote for as for example of walking with the voter and not trusting the voter to drop the ballot in the basin.

The way the Military Police or Special Force Command, even Formation Field Unit has been around the Presidential Candidates and securing them in their homes and areas so that they don’t deliver the reports and clarification of results that the Electoral Commission don’t want out. The Authorities want to silence the opposition as the legitimacy is non-existence. Just like Kofi Annan said in a statement days before the result got served the public.

Andre Kaweesi FDC HQ 19.02.2016

There is a reason why there wasn’t a jubilee in the streets of Kampala, there was reasons there wasn’t NRM people screaming around and just a few people trying to recuperate the internet and tell about the wonderful wins of Moroto and other districts that the Electoral Commission told of the wonderful victory of Museveni and his men. The issue is that we know that most loads of ballots got invalid or never gotten tallied as of the time of verifying the result the Electoral Commission; so no matter how valid some results might be; I don’t or wont trust these results as the rigged elections doesn’t give me faith in the results.

m7, besigye

And then todays press conference post-victory as he as a winner has to tell the world this:

“I don’t need lectures from anybody on how to organise elections” (…)”I have been doing it since school says at Ntare School” (The Insider, 2016). As the clearly you might not need lectures; you need a new way of doing it as this here was a shambles of one and a reason why you we’re alone with your cows; instead of celebrating with the ones that apparently or supposed to vote for you.

On Dr. Besigye and his house-arrest:

““Col Besigye cannot be allowed to disrupt our peace” (…)”Nobody can burn our city. We shall use both soft and hard means to guard our city” (The Insider, 2016). The Peace that your supposed to have created is kind of vague as the people are hiding in their houses of fear of your police force and army as they have killed people who have demonstrated and you have detained, jailed or house-arrested during the election day and the days that has followed. If this is generating peace by detaining your opposition then is not a joyful peace or a true election as the ones you don’t need lectures on.

As the vital information and the tension, the mourning of the thieving level of the government that has decided for them and taken their fate in their hands as their paternal advisory of giving the power-hungry and army man President Museveni another shot of taking more of the gold and government funds, instead of earning the money as civil servant and serving the nations as the President should do. I am sure if you Mr. President thinking of getting the buses ready and getting the leftover t-shirts and get ready to use more governmental funds to pay the Crime Preventers to secure crowds for Kololo Independence Ground on your Swearing in.

Jinja Road 15.02.2015 P2

There is very few indications or any certainty of the ruling regime caring about anything else then themselves and tried to pull the card that certain MPs have been voted in from the Opposition, but that is just a too save face and try to look like a legitimate affair. That is while many expected the numbers for Museveni to end between 60% to 69% so when it ended where it ended, it was something wrong, especially with the tally-numbers and the declarations forms that has surfaced online; something that says a lot that the fortune tellers can fore-say the results months in advance; as a certainty! That is not looking good as non-expected Barrack Obama at his first tenure to really get all the way. This is elections and a guy who doesn’t need lectures should know that; if had known elections that his facilitations of the “NRM” Independent Candidates, that many of them would fly out the gate; is that they we’re voted away from their constituencies and councils already, with adding more locals they should not be able to get through anywhere… But hey President Museveni doesn’t need any lectures. Kahinda Otafiire might need one!

As the “50 Shades of stealing ballots” is the next book from Amama Mbabazi, President Museveni or Janet Museveni, Mike Ssebula will get funding for the publishing and the forward will be written by H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta and Hon. Ofwono Opondo. While a honorable mention will go to Dr. Ruhakana Ruganda. That is the future of this sad affair where the people has mourned and been silent; as they should be their fate and future gotten for the moment stolen from them; their own government and government entities has stolen their civic duty and taken it right in front of them.

Amuru Election Statment Paper

The international community should act and not recognize the Presidency of Museveni while the donor funding shut be suspended until the public and citizen’s will has been teared apart in minutes on the screen and days of labor; the Electoral Commission fried the crested cranes and goats while the people was stolen their beans that was promised to their stews. This here is such a wild affair and assessing the manufactured results that make the tally centers look like the Police did the counting instead of Polling Officers and rewriting Declarations Forms as the result did not fit their masters, the police, the army and the President. This here has been a display of arrogance from the NRM-Regime as the Opposition is detained or silenced. There is certainty that the people should react in ways the NRM hasn’t seen before, as the November nomination day and all the rallies been happening across the country should be visible The same crowds could show the level of loyalty and wish for change as the sounds of the campaigns; the way people turned up and cheered for their hopeful in the far corners of Uganda. That is the hope and that was the thing that gave me hope before the tallying and the ballot-papers got pre-ticket or disqualified by the Electoral Commission, and even the non-concern of the voters who never got to give their votes or counted their polling-stations. That should be worry because that is what will be remembered as the fear speeches of NRM regime and the security outfit leaders ahead of the elections. That is the story that will be put a blazed and tarnish the legitimacy of the regime that currently running the great nation; which deserves a government that the people wanted to represent them, not the one that pre-ticket their choice for them and used the government funds to pay Bebe Cool and Dr. Jose Chameleone for free concerts country-wide. That is not the business of a serious government, that is concert promoters job; hope that sinks in Mike Ssebula.

Koboko 18.02.2016 Evelyn Anite Voting

While we mourn and wonder, while we hope the FDC Power 10 structure can bring a change, while we hope that the government and the regime can be toppled in a peaceful way and get the honest result and honest ballots cast that is the fate of the citizen of the country. Then the leadership will deliver and try to deliver as they are will try to work for the ones that elected them and not because the big-man with the hat wanted his loyal YES MEN and BOUGHT cronies into parliament to give-way so he can steal more of the state coffers… Peace.   

Uganda Police Force informers the Public that the “Peaceful walk to the Electoral Commission Headquarters” is Illegal (21.02.2016)

NRM Police 17.02.2016

In reference to media statements by Rtd. Col. Dr. Kiiza Besigye, of plans to hold a procession, tomorrow Monday 22nd Feb 2016 from Kasangati to The Electoral Commission head office to purportedly pick up his copy of the declaration of results form, the police wish to inform the general public that it has not received any formal communication from him of the intended procession as required under Section 5 of the Public Order Management Act 2013.

Kasangati 20.02.2016
It is clearly stipulated under Section 4 of the Public Order Management Act that a procession is a public meeting and can only be held in accordance with the said Act. On the 8th of December 2015, the Government and the opposition agreed on a harmonized interpretation of the Public Order Management Act. Both parties agreed, among others that notice of a public meeting is mandatory and that the police retains its mandate under the constitution and other relevant laws to preserve law and order even when implementing the provisions of the Public Order Management Act.

UPF 11.02.2016 Block FDC P1
In addition to the above, the planned procession coincides with the opening of the new school term and any procession will infringe on the collective rights of the parents and their school going children.
We therefore urge Dr. Kiiza Besigye to respect the law as well as the rights of the parents, their children and the travelling public. Failure to comply will leave the police no option but to use necessary means to maintain law and order in accordance with the Constitution.

CP Fred Enanga
Press and Public Relations Officer
Uganda Police

Footage of the Police Roadblock around the house of Dr. Kizza Besigye; Proves the level of fear President Museveni has for the man!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MairCQSzOA

“Col. Kiiza Besigyes’ home is on gun point and the road blocked after declaring” (20.02.2016). The Proud President Museveni can be by how they did let people enter the house of Dr. Kizza Besigye as he is biggest criminal in Uganda; Though it is ironic that he is such an issue because he knows that the people are behind him and not President Museveni. But it comes a time when President Museveni has to address that fear and the levels of actions against one man; who by the day is becoming the epitome issues with lack of justice in the country of Uganda; as the Uganda Electoral Commission and it’s disregard of ballots and value of the votes of the people. As they did not vote for President Museveni, therefore they use all ways to shut down FDC and the People’s President. The NRM and President Museveni does do the people wrong; and the people knows something is wrong. When the Dr. Kizza Besigye and FDC is not allowed to do their democratic duties and question the elections. Peace.

Dr. Kizza Besigye: “My Message To The Youth Of Uganda: Claim Your Country! Claim Your Future!” (21.02.2016)

FDC Kizza Besigye Home Kasangati

Thank you for fulfilling your civic duty by voting for change. Your enthusiastic participation in the stolen 2016 elections demonstrates that you wanted to change the politics of this country and secure your future through the ballot box; only to be frustrated by partisan security agencies and an incompetent electoral commission. The electoral process was rigged using intimidation of voters, imprisonment of opponents, sabotage of rallies, late delivery of election materials, delayed opening of election centers, vote falsification at undisclosed tally centers, and bribery, among other malpractices.

But do not be discouraged — the struggle for a democratic dispensation did not start and end on Election Day and the electoral process itself did not end with the announcement of doctored results. Therefore, do not surrender. The majority of you were not even born when the current NRM regime came into power in 1986. Yet all you have inherited are the consequences of its bad governance.

Youth unemployment in Uganda is known to be the highest in Africa estimated to be between 62%, and 83%! I addressed the unemployment rate, deteriorating quality of education, corrupt credit schemes that did not benefit you; and the desperate circumstances of Uganda’s youth during my campaigns. You know your conditions better than me. The election has been rigged and the government is doing all it can to silence me. It is time for you to claim your rights and lead this struggle.

Uganda’s future, your future is in your hands. Remain firm. We can make this country work for each and everyone of us. But you must assert yourselves and claim your future. There is no other person who will do it for us.

Here is where we are: As of now there is no winner, the election process has not ended. The law gives us 10 days after announcement of results to challenge the outcome that is announced. As you all know, I have spent the first of those ten days under house arrest. I am now left with 9 days to exercise this right. Therefore, tomorrow I am going to the Electoral Commission to receive their results. I will then meet the campaign team and following that we will go around the country and collect all our information in order to prepare a well-considered response. This is a right we take for granted and are not asking for permission.

I invite you my friends,

• To rally behind the demand for an independent and transparent audit of the 2016 presidential election results. Explain this to all your friends.

• If you are in Kampala join me to walk to the Electoral Commission. We leave my gate at Kasangati at 9:00AM. Police will try to stop us, I know; but this is about claiming our rights. We will walk peacefully.

• In every village, collect the Declaration Forms that may still be in your possession. Use your phone or camera to photograph the results Declaration form. We will tell you how to transmit them.

• My friends online, engage our African brothers and sisters as well as the international community to reject the results and support our demands for an independent audit.

FDC HQ 19.02.2016 Police Siege

Friends, I have warned that we are witnessing a creeping military coup that aims to subvert the will of the people. We set out to claim our rights and our country through defiance not compliance. We are still on that path and we shall win by defiance NOT compliance. The NRM government believes that by isolating me the defiance campaign is dead but it was not a one-man campaign. This was your campaign and you must now LEAD IT! Peaceful protest is a human right that is in our Constitution. As you know whenever we have gone out to exercise that right peacefully we have been met with extreme violence. But we will not be cowed. The most brutal dictatorships have crumbled when the people asserted themselves. In Philippines, Romania, Guatemala, Tunisia, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso we have seen them fall when the youth stood up for their rights. There will be pain and sacrifice. I am ready for it and I have been absorbing it. Do not be afraid, it is our historic duty.

Aluta Continua
For God And Our Country

Dr. Kizza Besigye

Bebe Cool & Dr. Jose Chameleone Congratulates President Museveni!

Bebe Cool Campaign Rally

Message after declations of Victory from Bebe Cool:

Yeeeeeeeeeeee NRM oyeeeeeeeee.
Congratulations Your excellence YOWERI KAGUTA MUSEVENI and the entire NRM.
I also wish to thank the Ugandan opposition for the part played during this period but mostly FDC candidate Dr KIZZA BESIGYE for representing the the minority with a different opinion.
I must thank Ugandans in general for participating even strongly than ever.
I thank the members of the press and security that have worked tirelessly to see this process through.

J.Chameleone NRM Suit

Congratulations to the Elected President of Uganda 2016 – Y.K.Museveni.

And for all society condemning each other on who voted and supported who it’s not Primary now. It’s time to reconcile and together build our nation with the greatest of our abilities.

To all Friends and Fans who have thrown unkindness to me for practicing my fundamental right of choice, please stop threatening to boycott my Showcases that shows how conditional your support to me is. I have never insulted your love for other artistes simply because such is life.

If I offended any of you in that manner,Stay home next time I have a Show and wait for those you support unconditionally.
I am Ugandan,We are Ugandans.

We are all relevant to the building of a Peaceful and prosperous Uganda.

LEONE ISLAND MUSIC EMPIRE

Statement by ODM Youth on Uganda Elections (21.02.2016)

ODM

We want to congratulate the gallant people of Uganda for coming out in large numbers to exercise their democratic right to vote in the just concluded elections.

You braved the hot sun, persevered in the long queues and triumphed over police brutality and harassment to ensure that you answered to the greater call of democracy.

To the candidates who participated in the elections, you fought a good fight. We acknowledge your contribution to the democratic process and your determination to make Uganda a better place.

Nevertheless, we take note that the integrity of the election results has been contested. As stated by election observer missions, the “elections weren’t free and fair” due to several incidences of irregularities and election malpractices.

But we urge the Ugandan people never to give up. The fight for change and democracy is never an event but a process. The journey may be long and torturous but it must be won someday. We begin to fail only when we give up.

We’ve also taken note of a statement swiftly issued by our president, Mr. Kenyatta, yesterday, purporting to congratulate Mr. Museveni, who is his personal friend and business partner, for “winning” the elections.

We want to clarify that the statement is his personal note to Mr. Museveni, it doesn’t in any way reflect the views of the majority of sober Kenyans.

For your information, Mr. Kenyatta is another illegitimate and compromised president who rose to power after Ugandan judges misadvised Kenyan judges to declare him president.

On very few occasions do we take him seriously as a people as his penchant for putting personal and family business interests above those of our country is a very well known fact.

As you face the realities of the future and challenges ahead, we’ll keep you in our prayers and continue to support your fight for a greater democratic space in your country.

May God bless you.

Thank you.

Release of AUEOM Preliminary Findings of the 18th February 2016 General Elections in the Republic of Uganda (20.02.2016)

NTV 20.02.2016

Kampala, 20 February 2016

“The AUEOM notes that the elections in Uganda were largely peaceful, but not without shortcomings.”

The African Union Commission deployed a Short Term Election Observation Mission to the 18 February 2016 General Elections in the Republic of Uganda. The Mission comprised 40 Short Term Observers from several African countries drawn from the African Union Permanent Representatives’ Committee, the Pan-African Parliament, Election Management Bodies and Civil Society Organizations.
The AUEOM assessed the General Elections in Uganda based on the relevant African Union instruments, namely; the 2007 African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance; the 2002 OAU/AU Declaration on Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa; the 2002 AU Guidelines for Elections Observation and Monitoring Missions; and the legal framework governing the conduct of elections in Uganda. This statement presents the Mission’s preliminary findings covering pre-voting, voting, counting and tallying processes up to 18 February 2016. The African Union will, however, continue to observe the post-electoral developments and release a final report within the next three months.

Pre-election environment
The AUEOM noted that the legal framework for elections in Uganda provides for, and guarantees the holding of regular elections in conformity with regional and international frameworks. This framework comprises the 1995 Constitution of Uganda, the Electoral Commission Amendment Act 2015; the Presidential Elections Amendment Act 2015; the Parliamentary Elections Amendment Act 2015; and the Political Parties and Organisations Act 2005.
The AUEOM observed that there is no legal framework for regulating political party campaign financing. The Mission noted that the law expressly prohibits the use of Government resources for campaigning by all candidates and parties, except for the President, as stated in Article 27.1 of the Presidential Elections Act. Stakeholders reported that there has been unprecedented increase in campaign spending.
The AUEOM learned that in 2015 Uganda introduced a National Identity Card System, which required the conduct of a mass biometric registration of citizens aged 16 years and above. The EC extracted information of all registered citizens who were 18 years and above to compile a National Voters’ Register. The AUEOM noted that at the end of the National Voter Registration exercise, there were 15, 277,198 registered voters. This Voters’ Register was continuously updated until 11 May 2015 when the process was concluded in line with the electoral calendar.

The AUEOM noted that, whereas the use of data from the National Register ensured that all citizens from 18 years by the end of the mass registration exercise were registered; interlocutors expressed concern that the 11 May 2015 deadline for updating the Voters Roll left many potential voters who turned 18 years after that date, disenfranchised. The EC collaborated with civil society organizations (CSOs) in conducting voter education. However, the accredited CSOs raised concerns that their efforts were constrained by late provision of materials by the EC. In addition, voter education was generally perceived to be inadequate.

NTV Uganda Presidential Debate 2016

The AUEOM noted that for the first time, two presidential debates were held in Kampala and broadcasted live on television and radio. All 8 presidential candidates were invited to reach out to voters using this platform.

The AUEOM observed that despite the unprecedented political and electoral competition, campaigns were generally conducted within the legal framework. However, the Mission noted the 15 February 2016 incident in Kampala, which led to the arrest of an opposition leader, causing anxiety among opposition supporters. The police informed the Mission that the arrested leader and his party had defied the prescribed campaign route.

VPN 18.02.2016 P2

The Mission noted that women were nominated to run as party and independent candidates in various constituencies and that there was one female Presidential candidate. In addition, women contested for the 112 parliamentary seats specially created for them. The Mission noted the participation of youth in the elections both as candidates and in the campaigns. However, there were concerns raised by some stakeholders of the youth being used by political parties to intimidate and disrupt election campaign rallies of their opponents. The AUEOM noted that besides involvement in voter education initiatives CSOs were involved in domestic observation. Thousands of domestic observers were deployed throughout the country, especially in areas considered as hotspots. The AUEOM noted that in compliance with the legal provisions, the media covered political parties and candidates’ manifestos and campaigns. However, stakeholders felt that the state media provided more coverage to the incumbent president and his party, at the expense of the opposition. It was further reported that private media provided a fairly balanced reporting on all parties and candidates. Besides the mainstream print and electronic media, campaigning was carried out on social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and Whatsapp. The AUEOM noted general concerns following the shutdown of social media platforms, by the Uganda Communication Commission from Election Day citing security concerns. The AUEOM noted that there was a generally calm and peaceful pre-election environment with no major security incidents reported.

The AUEOM noted concerns raised by interlocutors with regard to the recruitment, training and deployment of community policing units called Crime Preventers, which they alleged were misused to intimidate opposition parties. The AUEOM was however informed by the police that these were purely crime prevention units at community level with no arresting powers.

The AUEOM noted the lack of trust in security agencies by some opposition parties, which were reported to have created counter units.

Election Day

On Election Day, the teams visited 148 polling stations comprising 60% urban and 40% rural where they observed opening, voting, closing and counting processes. The observers used tablets to capture and transmit real-time observation data to the Mission Command Centre. The AUEOM teams observed opening procedures countrywide and noted that the environment outside these centers was peaceful.
Delays in opening time by up to 4 hours were reported in a number of polling stations. The delays were attributed to late distribution of polling materials. Consequently, opening procedures pertaining to sealing of ballot boxes, identification and verification of voters were not fully adhered to in some cases.
As per the laid down procedure, voters were asked for identification and their names checked against the register before voting. Only a few were turned away because they did not have the required identification, were not on the voters’ register, were at the wrong polling station or were rejected by the Biometric Voter Verification Kit.
With regards to the Biometric Voter Verification Kits, which were introduced for the first time, the AUEOM observed that in some polling stations, the kits worked well, hence hastening the verification process; while in some stations, they were not used because they were either not working, or the election personnel did not have access pass codes.
As an additional identification and voting facilitation measure, voter identification slips were used to direct voters to the right voting station within a voting center. Voter processing times were reasonable and mostly ranged from no more than 3 minutes in 54% of the polling stations and between 3-6 minutes in 39% of the polling station stations observed.
The AUEOM observer teams observed closing procedures at 4:00pm and beyond in areas where polling was extended because of late opening.
Closing and counting procedures were not strictly adhered to in all polling stations visited. For example, there were instances where polling officials and agents did not reconcile the number of registered voters with the number of people who actually voted. In a majority of polling stations observed, party/ candidate agents were furnished with a copy of the results form by the presiding officer.

Kaabong 18.02.2016

Conclusion

The AUEOM congratulates the people of Uganda for turning up in large numbers to perform their civic duty.

While we note that the election process is ongoing, the AUEOM’s overall assessment of the 2016 General Elections thus far, is that they were largely peaceful, but not without shortcomings; in particular, the late delivery of election materials. The late delivery led to more than 4 hours of delays in the opening of polling stations. The Mission wishes to underscore that this impacted on the overall conduct of polling day operations, and caused anxiety and tension among the voters and polling officials, which could have been avoided.

Based on its preliminary findings, the AUEOM makes the following recommendations: The AUEOM encourages the Electoral Commission to:
• Adhere to the prescribed 48 hour time frame for delivery of materials as provided in the Electoral Act, when distributing election materials to polling stations;
• Conduct continuous voter education and voter registration;
• Strengthen training for polling personnel to avoid inconsistencies in implementation of polling procedures;
• Consider using indoor polling in order to create order around the stations and to protect polling officials, voters and materials from weather elements; and • Consider adopting voting booths that ensure the secrecy of the ballot.

The AUEOM recommends that the Government provide adequate resources to the Electoral Commission to conduct continuous voter registration and voter education and enable timely procurement of election materials.

To Parliament, the AUEOM recommends that it:
• Develops legislation to regulate political party and campaign finance; and
• Concludes electoral reforms at least a year before elections to allow for timely preparation and implementation.

The AUEOM encourages the public broadcaster to provide equitable coverage to all candidates.

The AUEOM recommends that Political Parties avoid the usage of inflammatory language during campaigns and inciting supporters.

Lastly, the AUEOM recommends that the Police enforce the law equally on all parties and candidates, and desist from heavy handedness when dealing with the public, political parties and candidates.

The AUEOM will continue to observe the tallying and other post-election developments and issue a comprehensive report three months after the announcement of the election results.

Her Ladyship Justice Sophia Akuffo
Head of the African Union Election Observer Mission

Dr. Kizza Besigye statement on the conduct of the 2016 presidential elections (Youtube-Clip)

Dr. Kizza Besigye’s  message from House Arrest in Kasangati in Wakiso on the outskirts of Kampala. Listen to it! As we mourn the results and the way the Electoral Commission has taken the power of the People and given way to the President Museveni yet again. This message from the People’s President is deep and strong. A worthy message from a great man! Peace.

Preliminary Statement: East African Community Election Observation Mission to the General Election of the Republic of Uganda held on the 18th February 2016 (20.02.2016)

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