Besigye beats security to attend Kategaya’s burial

SOURCE: THE DAILY MONITOR, 9 MARCH 2013

http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Besigye-beats-security-to-attend-Kategaya-s-burial/-/688334/1714418/-/7lnma6/-/index.html

Dr Kizza Besigye, Minister Ruhakana Rugunda, and FDC party president Maj Gen Mugisha Muntu at Eriya Kategaya’s burial in Itojo, Ntungamo District, yesterday.

IN SUMMARY

Catching mourners by surprise, Dr Besigye’s arrival was announced by the master of ceremonies, State Minister for Labour Mwesigwa Rukutana, prompting a rapturous welcome from the crowd.

Presidential security appeared anxious in Itojo, Ntungamo District, yesterday when Dr Kizza Besigye made a surprise appearance, joining thousands of mourners at the burial of First Deputy Prime Minister Eriya Kategaya.

Amidst a heavy downpour, the arrival of the former leader of the Forum for Democratic Change coincided with the landing of a military helicopter carrying President Museveni.

Dignitaries from government institutions like, judiciary, military and parliament attended the somber occasion that saw Mr Museveni describe his former bosom buddy as a “well-formed gentleman who kept no grudges.

“We disagreed twice but reconciled. In 1973, we disagreed on the setbacks we encountered when we attacked Mbarara. We parted ways; he went to Lusaka (Zambia) and I to Arusha. We later reconciled and worked together,” Mr Museveni said.

Making mention of the 2001-2003 events that split the once bosom-buddies, Mr Museveni said;“If you go left and I go right, that does not stop us from working together in the future,” giving the example of the third deputy premier Moses Ali.

“I salute him for being a fully reformed person in terms of character and ideology. There should be no need for us as men to endlessly be at loggerheads,” he added.

Kategaya fell out with the President and joined the opposition when he opposed the lifting of presidential term limits from the Constitution by the Seventh Parliament at the reported instigation of the country’s leader. He was sacked from Cabinet and Mr Museveni, who had then come to his second and last constitutionally-accepted a five-year term and went on to run for office again in 2006.

Ms Joan Kategaya, first wife to the deceased, asked government to construct a fully-equipped hospital in Kategays’s memory.

“We were only looking for a hydro-therapy machine to save his life. That is why we had to go to Nairobi,” Ms Kategaya said.

Mr Museveni proposed the construction of a technical school in Ntungamo to be named after Kategaya.

Besigye arrives
At approximately 1.30pm, Dr Besigye walked into the main square at the Itojo home just as Mr Museveni’s chopper appeared over the Kategaya homestead.

Catching mourners by surprise, Dr Besigye’s arrival was announced by the master of ceremonies, State Minister for Labour Mwesigwa Rukutana, prompting a rapturous welcome from the crowd.
Current FDC president, Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu left his chair to welcome Dr Besigye who sat next to him.

Since Tuesday, Dr Besigye has repeatedly been arrested almost the moment he steps out of his Kasangati residence. Police has accused him of attempting to restart the walk-to-work activities that nearly paralysed operations in Kampala city for close to a year.

FDC western youth leader Francis Mwijukye said it was imperative for Besigye to bury his former comrade-in-arms, who was one of the founders of the FDC.

In Kampala, security around Dr Besigye’s residence appeared unaware that he had slipped past them.

Police accuse Bishop Niringiye of inciting violence

NRM Rebel MPs face disciplinary Committee

Court to rule on Summoning Aronda Nyakairima

Bishop Niringiye Arrested, Released On Police Bond

SOURCE: THE RED PEPPER, 5 FEBRUARY 2013

 

http://www.redpepper.co.ug/?p=5517

 

Bishop Niringiye retired recently in order to fight graft

Zac Niringiye, the former Assistant Anglican Bishop of Kampala was on Monday afternoon released on Police bond from Wandegeya Police post  after being arrested together with eight other activists for allegedly inciting violence. They are members of the anti-corruption group ‘Black Monday’.

The other activists  are Nuwagaba Vincent, Kanyonyi Isa, Angyagasha John, Brian Atuhaire and Asan Kyegula among others.  The suspects were picked up Monday morning from Lumumba hall in Makerere University where they were found distributing the black Monday newsletter. They were taken to Wandegeya police post for questioning.

Stephen Omala, the special operations commander Kampala Metropolitan police says that the activists were arrested on charges of inciting violence. Omala who termed the group as ‘subversive’ said the newsletter being delivered by the activists has ‘elements’ of violence which should not be delivered in an academic institution as it may disrupt peace.

The newsletter outlines the amount of money lost in the recent corruption scandal in the Office of the prime minister.

The estimate of 22 billion shillings according to the newsletter is equivalent to 60 million shillings being eaten by one person every day for one year. The newsletter also points out what the country would have achieved if the money had been put to proper use.

The money would have allegedly built 1,222 schools at 18 million shillings each, bought 314 million shillings doses of malaria medicine at 7000 shillings each and 206 tractors at 107 million each among others.

Arthur Larok, country director Action Aid, one of the organisers of the black Monday campaign says that, they will not be deterred by the arrests.

He says that they will continue with their campaigns until the whole country joins the black Monday movement.

Nicholas Opiyo who is representing the suspects told journalists Monday afternoon that they  recorded statements. The last black Monday protest saw Arthur Larok and three others detained for questioning at Jinja Road police but they were released without charge.

Bishop Zac grilled for nine hours

SOURCE: THE DAILY MONITOR, 5 FEBRUARY 2012

http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Bishop-Zac-grilled-for-nine-hours/-/688334/1684748/-/5k7ru9z/-/index.html


Kampala

Retired Bishop Zac Niringiye was held for more than nine hours yesterday at Wandegeya Police Station after he was allegedly found distributing flyers condemning corruption.

Bishop Niringiye was arrested with nine other activists of the Black Monday anti-corruption campaign at Wandegeya. “This message is not new. Look at yourselves! We are saying corruption is bad! Look at the police barracks where you are living!” Bishop Niringiye told the police officer, who had arrested him.

Mr Deo Nkurungoma, Bishop Niringiye’s lawyer, said his client was subjected to a lengthy interrogation on allegations that on Sunday he distributed money to youth to mobilise them to participate in the anti-corruption campaign.

Police said the suspects were held on charges of inciting violence against suspected corrupt officials, adding that they would be taken to court if the Director of Public Prosecutions sanctions their files.

The civil society has organised a campaign every Monday where people are required to wear black and condemn corruption. The arrest of the bishop and other activists has been condemned by the civil society as the violations of human rights.

Mr Richard Ssewakiryanga, the executive director of NG0 Forum, said the police should stop arresting people who are peacefully exercising their rights. The deputy police spokesman, Mr Vicent Ssekate, said the flyers Bishop Niringiye and the nine others were distributing were similar to those of Activists for Change, which was banned by the government.

Walk to work: Anywar acquitted

SOURCE: THE DAILY MONITOR, 5 FEBRUARY 2013

http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Walk-to-work--Anywar-acquitted/-/688334/1684754/-/io8226z/-/index.html

MP Beatrice Anywar leaves court in Entebbe after being acquitted yesterday. 

In Summary

Court says the State failed to adduce sufficient evidence to prove that the MP obstructed traffic.

Entebbe

Court in Entebbe yesterday acquitted Kitgum Woman MP Beatrice Anywar on two counts of obstructing traffic and assaulting a police woman during the 2011 walk-to-work protests.

Entebbe Grade 1 Magistrate Hellen Ajio cleared the MP because the state failed to adduce enough evidence and had conflicting testimonies. According to the charge sheet, Ms Awyar failed to comply with lawful orders on April 14, 2011 at Zana roundabout when two police stopped her from walking. She was accused of obstructing traffic and assaulting a police woman while executing her duty, which contravenes sections 238 of the Penal Code Act.

“In the first case of obstructing traffic, the state failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the accused committed the offence. In the charge sheet, they said Ms Anywar failed to comply with orders of Ms Asimwe, a police officer, to stop walking to work, yet witnesses said the orders were given by Ms Christine Namale,” Ms Ajio said while reading her ruling yesterday.

“In the second case, they added that Ms Anywar was walking with a group of about 60-70 people who have neither been produced in court, nor brought video evidence to prove their case.” She said because of the contradicting testimonies and failure to bring Ms Asimwe, who was key in this case, she found the case doubtful.

In assaulting Ms Namale, Ms Ajio said the three witnesses contradicted themselves as some said the offence was committed on April 14 2011, while Ms Namale testified that she was assaulted on February 14.

Ms Ajio added that Ms Namale went for a medical test two months after the incident happened, and that the state failed to bring the doctor who treated her to testify. Ms Ajio cleared Ms Anywar of the charges, but urged her to abide by the law. “I acquit you on both counts and you are her by set free. But be a good and obedient citizen,” Ms Ajio said.

Struggle continues
Ms Anywar could not hide her excitement, and said the struggle would continue. “The state uses the judiciary and other arms to prosecute opposition politicians, but it will not derail us from talking about things that affect Ugandans,” she said, adding that they will soon launch a campaign protesting the theft of funds from the Office of the Prime Minister.

In April 2011, tear gas and gunshots rocked Kampala and other towns as opposition leaders took to the streets to protest against the increasing fuel prices. Many opposition leaders were arrested, including FDC’s Kizza Begigye, but many have since been acquitted.