Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine: International Press Statement on the Increasing Cases of Imprisonment, Torture and Murder of People Power Supporters in Uganda (09.03.2020)

I want to bring to your attention the deteriorating human rights situation in Uganda.

President Yoweri Museveni’s regime is increasingly resorting to extreme means to silence the voice of the people of Uganda who are demanding the opportunity to end his 34 years of rule and his progressively brutal regime.

The People Power Movement is a non-violent movement. It brings together Ugandans from different political parties, professions, regions, and religious groupings to unite in peaceful protest against a military dictatorship which violently restricts any form of democratic opposition. The movement is demanding the independence of the judiciary, the police force, the army, the press as well as the Electoral Commission. We are struggling to ensure that the people of Uganda have the opportunity to decide their own future, for the first time since Uganda’s independence from colonial rule.

Anyone who associates with me has become a target for kidnap, imprisonment, torture and death at the hands of the Uganda security forces. These violent forms of intimidation are orchestrated mainly by elements serving in the Police, Internal Security Organisation – ISO, Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence- CMI, Military Police, as well as the Local Defence Unit- LDU.

On 24th February, 2020 a supporter and leader in the People Power movement was murdered when a police truck struck her in Nakawa Division, Kampala. At 8:00am, Ritah Nabukenya, who was aged 28, was a passenger on the rear seat of a motorcycle. She had just dropped her young daughters aged 6 and 4 at school. Because RITAH and her rider were dressed in ‘People Power’ attire, they were easily identified as members of the group.

The driver of the police truck swerved to hit the motorcycle and eye witnesses later confirmed to the media that the police truck had deliberately targeted Ritah.

She was pronounced dead at Mulago National Referral Hospital, and the motorcycle driver sustained injuries.

Police officers who were moving in the patrol vehicle immediately took up positions around the scene with weapons and ordered the witnesses not to take any photos or videos of the incident.

Our demands for CCTV footage from the incident have not yielded anything and the police spokesperson said that CCTV cameras were not operational at the time of the killing.

Ritah was laid to rest on 25th February, 2020. On our way back from the funeral, thousands of young people lined the roads of the various towns we passed through to express solidarity with the movement and to recognise the sacrifice that Ritah had made.

When we got to Nansana town, uniformed police officers as well as elements of the Local Defence Unit (LDU) opened fire with live rounds on the crowd which had gathered peacefully.

Dan Kyeyune, who was aged 33, was shot through the eye and died instantly. At least two other people received severe gunshot injuries. Yet again, the police claimed that the CCTV footage of the incident was unavailable.

These two murdered people are in addition to Asuman Walyendo (shot dead on 19th July, 2018 in Bugiri district), Yasin Kawuma (shot dead in Arua on 13th August, 2018), Vincent Sserugaya (shot dead on 23rd August, 2018 in Gomba), Kalende Yusuf (deliberately knocked by a police truck on 27th August, 2018 in Luwero), Hannington Ssewankambo aka Sweet Pepsi (brutalized by the military on 20th September, 2018 leading to injuries which he would succumb to in October 2019), Lukoma Stephen Ssalongo (shot dead on 7th June, 2019 in Buvuma District), Michael Kalinda aka Zigy Wyne (kidnapped and severely tortured before dying on 4th August, 2019), and Hakim Ssekamwa (deliberately knocked by a police patrol truck on 6th August, 2019). There are several other unreported cases where supporters have been abducted and murdered. In all such cases, there has been a clear lack of interest in conducting investigations by state agencies!

In addition to these extra-judicial killings by the state, security operatives have kidnapped several supporters, tortured them and subjected them to all manner of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. To date, our coordinator Johnbosco Kibalama is still missing, having been abducted in June 2019.

The general levels of repression have increased. Although the Presidential Elections Act, 2005, permits intending presidential candidates to carry out nationwide consultations ahead of nominations, police and the military have blocked me from reaching out to the people of Uganda for these lawful consultations.

We have so far made attempts to consult in eight districts and all of them have been met with extreme brutality against me and our supporters. We are not permitted to carry out any public meeting. Recently on January 31st police fired teargas and live bullets to break up a thanksgiving ceremony where I was due to speak.

Many of our supporters have been arrested and kept in prisons for days, weeks or months.

The regime has become paranoid to the extent that they are arresting people who associate with our movement even when they are not directly involved in our activities.

On 28th February, 2020 Julian Friesinger, a PhD student from Germany was arrested by military operatives in Lira District. He was arrested together with two of our coordinators who he had gone to interview for his research project. The two Ugandans (Adonyo Michael and Oguttu Nicholas) were kept in military detention for three days while being beaten. Julian whose devices (phones, laptops, etc) and passport had been confiscated was interrogated by the Internal Security Organisation, before leaving the country.

In another case, Moses Bwayo, an independent journalist and film maker was arrested alongside eight people with whom I was working on a music project. They were kept in detention for several days and are now facing charges of unlawful assembly whose particulars include singing a song subverting the government of Uganda.

Last week, more than 50 of our supporters were being held in different prisons across the country. Some of whom were arrested for merely wearing our attire. Our supporters Denis Senono (Den City) and Bobi Young were held under military detention. Whereas Bobi Young is still detained, Den City was released; his body bearing torture marks. He reported that he was injected with an unknown substance by security operatives and now lives in fear for his life.

While this is going on, President Museveni who has been in power for 34 years has been desperately moving across the country campaigning for a seventh term with sacks of tax-payers money. He is hoping that he can buy the support of a people, who he has not only impoverished but has nothing left to promise or offer to them. Those who will not be persuaded will be intimidated, tortured and even murdered.

With the political space shrinking further and the human rights situation deteriorating, the economic condition has continued to worsen. There is little provision of basic services to the citizens. The state of education and healthcare have continued to decline. The levels of unemployment as well as poverty are on a sharp increase. Corruption and misuse of public resources are at an all-time high.

The young people of Uganda continue to be excluded by the power structure whose only interest, is enriching themselves, and keeping power at whatever cost.

As we head towards the 2021 General election our demand for free and fair elections is unequivocal. We are committed to ending President Museveni’s brutal regime of blood, plunder and national shame.

We call upon the world and the international community to continue standing with the people of Uganda in these very difficult times.

We shall certainly overcome!

People Power – Our Power

Kyagulanyi Ssentamu Robert
“Bobi Wine”

Foreign Correspondents’ Association of Uganda: Statement on the arrest of Moses Bwayo (04.03.2020)

The Cable Guy: The missing piece to why the Police Force couldn’t solve crimes

It seems like there is a reason why the Police Force cannot solve crimes. All along they never hired Jim Carrey or ‘The Cable Guy’ from 1996. He should really help the detectives, the police officers and every other agency in the Republic to solve the criminal activities there. His needed and that quickly.

This is since, the Police Force has claimed, when they get to study the tapes of the murder scenes and places where crimes where committed. They would able to solve these crimes. However, now as the murders are a week old and some are even older than that. Then, they are putting out a statement, that power outage and disruptions in fibre cables is the reason for their lack of possible leads.

Like, this is now UMEME Limited and Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) fault, they are too blame for the power outages. While the National Information Technology Authority (NITA) and National Data Transmission Backbone Infrastructure and e-Government Infrastructure (NBI/ EGI) is to blame for the bad fibre optic cables, which is also causing issues for the CCTV cameras.

It is like its a acronym jungle, where the Police Force (UPF) is lost together with Internal Security Organization (ISO), the Flying Squad and the Cheiftain of Military Intelligence (CMI). Who knows whose else is missing. Because, the UMEME, UETCL, NITA and NBI/EGI is all screwing up. I am sure someone there, they can need the service of the Cable Guy.

They surely seems to need him now. If not, the Police Force wouldn’t come with a statement like this. Where they are pleading to the public, like a school-kid who couldn’t finish their homework on time and blaming the dog for eating the assignment. Because, that what they did. Instead, as professionals call the technician. Or is it their plea to get money so they can get service on their operation? Do the Police Force need supplementary funds and more funds for upkeep?

Seemingly, the UMEME, UETCL, NITA and NBI/EGI should be offended, but also defend their craft. We know the UMEME has often outages, but the Police Force should be able to cover tapes, angles and have safety batteries in their operational CCTV cameras. In this day and age, even fire-alarms and other installations like that has alarms that has batteries that last for days even without electricity. That is if, the state and its producers has built a well-functioning system. Especially, considering the knowledge of the common cold or the common black-outs.

That is really the magic trick here. It is a reason why many fuel power-generators to keep the business humming, even when the black-outs are appearing on the skyline and awaiting for the return of the Dark Knight. However, the Police Force isn’t prepared for villains nor heroes. Only to be silently idle and await their next happy hour.

That is why they are lonely and need a friend like the Cable Guy to save the day. He might even cover them with a free cable to save the next coming crime. Because, you invited him and befriended. He needs a companion and who better, than the lost in darkness, Police officers in the Republic. Peace.

Uganda Police Force: CCTV Failures due to Disruptions in Fibre Optic Cables and Power Outages (02.03.2020)

4th Time in 2020 at Nalufenya: Besigye preventative arrested today in Jinja

Police and Army officers have towed Dr Kizza Besigye’s car moments after blocking him from leaving Sunset Hotel International in Jinja where he spent a night. After towing Dr Kizza Besigye’s car from Sunset Hotel International in Jinja, Police have arrested him and is currently detained at Nalufenye Police Station” (91.2 Crooze FM, 26.02.2020).

On the 20th January 2020 Besigye was detained at Nalufenya Police Station. Also on the 22nd January he was detained again at Nalufenya Police Station. For the third time he was detained at Nalufenya Police Station on Monday 24th February 2020.

Today, it has happen again. After my calculation that Besigye have been detained only in 2020 4 times at Nalufenya. A place that was supposed to be history. A palace which was supposed to be closed in 2018 and late 2017. However, that has never happen.

That is why his been detained there four times there already this year (after my calculation). Now, he was detained before he even went to planned rally. This is what you deem as a preventative arrest of sorts. Which isn’t new for Besigye either.

This is just a continued impunity in concern with Besigye. He was able not to be arrested yesterday, but that happen today. Peace.

Uganda Police Force: Police Investigating Murder by Shooting in Nansana (26.02.2020)

One funeral become[s] another one[two]

Yesterday, it was the People Power supporter Ritah Nabukenya. Today its People Power supporter Daniel Kyenye. This story continues and this is depressing. What is the worst about this is that it’s not new from the authorities. The state has done this before elections before and does it again It is just a new label on the opposition, but the same citizens taken out for standing behind another banner than the one of the government. They are not on the bus, they participate in the politics of the opposition and they loose their lives doing so. Surely, what the NRA historicals went for the Bush for… right? Didn’t think. This blood is on your hands. Just like all the rest of the lives taken since you took power.

Yesterday it was conflicting stories on how she was knocked down. The Police Force claims it was collision between two motorcycles, while the People Power says it was a Police vehicle trailing her and did the knocking, which killed her.

Today, the Local Defence Unit (LDU) had a trigger happy fellow who dispersed the crowds in Nansana. They killed Daniel Kyenye there. It was after LDUs and Police Force did what they could to scatter the crowds after the funeral. Today, it is also reported one more too, but not named or identified yet. Also a third person fighting the life at a hospital.

This is all happening in association with gatherings where the People Power Movement are appearing. As the security organizations are attacking and using extensive force to control the affairs. They do that with force, with all will and use all means. Tear-gas, live-bullets and shed no tears of the lost. They make up stories and pin blame on everyone around them. That is what they do and known for doing so.

Its sad that it has come to this. That the authorities are using these means to attack. Silence and get rid of dissidents. This is just citizens affiliated with the new pressure group. Just like people lost their lives for associating them with Go Forward before the 2016 General Elections.

This is just tragic. Loosing their lives for being participate in politics. This is injustice and impunity in action. Lives are worthless to the authorities. They certainly doesn’t act like they value it or care for them. Instead, it is easy to get rid of them. Peace.

Uganda Police Force: Additional Statement surrounding the Fatal Accident involving Two Bodaboda Motorcycles (25.02.2020)

FDC 15 Years Anniversary rally in Buikwe: Blocked like always! [Kato and Besigye arrested]

Police today impounded Dr Kizza Besigye’s car REG NO. UAN 661V ahead of the opposition leader’s anticipated visit to Njeru Municipality in Buikwe District. Dr Besigye was expected in Buikwe to address an FDC rally as part of the party celebrations to mark 15 years” (91.2 Crooze FM, 24.02.2020).

Dr. Kizza Besigye wasn’t allowed to get to te Buikwe district today. The Police Force was waiting from orders from above or the “Emperor”. While in Njeru Municipality the police force used tear-gas to disperse the public from being a part of the 15 Year Anniversary celebration there. The LDUs was also used to get the public away from the area.

The car of Besigye was impounded. However, David Kato the driver was arrested and is detained as we speak at Kayunga Police Station. We know that the rally didn’t appear or happen, because of the blocking of it from the Police Force. NBS Television have later reported that Besigye was whisked away from the area around Jinja to Nalufenya Police Station. Therefore, his in a familiar place, as it is not like he hasn’t been detained there before. He has spent plenty of hours in that prison.

This is just like every other 15 Year Anniversary rallies, they are blocked and met with police violence. Today was nothing new. Just another location. This is a continuation. A never ending battle between the FDC and the authorities. Peace.

Opinion: When the innocent dies like Ritah … there will be no answers.

The demise of Ritah Nabukenya is another tragic story. As the People Power activist died as she planned to go to the venue of Pope Paul Memorial Hotel in Kampala. The Police Force has one story of her crashing on her boda-boda with another boda-boda. While People Power claimed one of their own patrol vehicle knocked the activist down. The last story isn’t new, as this has happen before when convoys of opposition leaders has passed in a metropolitan area. However, the authorities are dismissing that today.

There is also some reports that the Police Vehicle was following her on the motorcycle and stumbled on her twice. Before leaving her. Then, someone else took her from Rubaga division of Kampala to Mulago Hospital where they pronounced her dead. Therefore, it is a tragic affair no matter what.

This is yet another dying in unfortunate circumstances, because the person chooses side politically and plans to be part of political meetings. This is not the first nor the last People Power associate who will go down like this. Because, into campaign season, the dissidents usually get harsh treatment from the authorities. Yet another proof of that today with another innocent civilian taken out.

This time it was Ritah. Tomorrow might be someone else. We will not get the answers nor the verdict on this one. Just like there was never any follow-up on Ziggy Wine either. This is just another citizen dead, who the security agencies didn’t care for. Peace.