Opposition takes anti-Museveni protests to the UK, United States

SOURCE: THE DAILY MONITOR, 24 JUNE 2011

Mr Mao holds a demonstration placard outside the White House in Washington. 

As normalcy returns following chaotic scenes that erupted during the recent walk-to-work campaign, opposition leaders are not about to give up on their protests against the rising cost of living in the country.

They are now asking donors and Ugandans in the Diaspora to put pressure on President Museveni over what they have described as “bad governance”.

After ending the walk-to-work, hooting and ‘Free Uganda Now’ protests against double-digit inflation, among other governance challenges, opposition leaders have called for weekly protests in distant lands and held meetings with prospective donors.

In the United Kingdom (UK), Ugandans living in London last week launched weekly protests outside the British parliament, the House of Commons, to highlight Uganda’s democracy deficit to the international community, particularly to the donors.

The first protest by Uganda United Pro-Democratic Forum took place last week and another one is expected today. Democratic Party’s General Secretary Matthias Nsubuga told Daily Monitor yesterday that his party president, Norbert Mao, was also in Washington, D.C, meeting US officials and Ugandan activists on governance challenges, among others issues facing the country.

According to sources, on Monday Mr Mao launched a 24-hour vigil at the White House to highlight the current campaign of civil disobedience in Uganda, and the implications of the Arab Spring to democracy and development, peace and security in Sub-Saharan Africa.

US President Barack Obama lives and works at the White House outside of which Mao launched the vigil.

Single protester
It has also emerged that a US-based Ugandan journalist and human rights activist Charles Bukenya Muvawala will be holding a hunger strike in Washington DC, until President Obama agrees to meet him to address the gross human rights violations being committed by Mr Museveni.

At least five people were shot dead, bringing the death toll to 10 since the start of the opposition walk-to-work protests on April 11. The protests have since been abandoned.

On his recent visit to Washington, FDC leader Kizza Besigye is reported to have met and discussed detailed diplomatic strategies with FDC’s International Envoy to the UK and European Union Sam Akaki.

Also in attendance at the London meeting was Mr Charles Ochen Okwir, who once served as FDC’s external country coordinator for the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. According to our correspondents in London, last week’s protest followed a delegation to the UK led by Inter-Party Cooperation Chairman Ken Lukyamuzi (Lubaga South), the former Katikiro of Buganda, Mr Dan Muliika, and a number of UK-based pro-democracy activists.

The opposition also met Mr Lewis Clarke, the foreign desk officer for Uganda and Tanzania, in a closed-door meeting where the UK expressed concern about proposed amendments to the 1995 Constitution to deny some suspects bail.

Time wasters?
But President Museveni’s spokesperson Tamale Mirundi on Tuesday advised the opposition to stop wasting their time. “Ugandans in the diaspora cannot effect change in Uganda. The President cannot panic because 200 people are demonstrating in the UK. Where is the consensus? Are they representing all Ugandans living in the UK?”

As for donors, he added: “They should know that we now finance more than 70 per cent of our budget, we can decide to forego their money if they meddle in our affairs.”

The return of ‘walk to work’

The return of ‘walk to work’ SOURCE: THE OBSERVER, 23 JUNE 2011

‘It doesn’t make sense to leave a winning approach’ Both the political party he leads and his own lawyers have advised him against continuing with his ‘walk to work’ protest, but Dr Kizza Besigye is adamant. As a result of his resolve, The Observer has learnt, the ‘walk to work’ campaign  that paralysed parts of Kampala, especially in April this year, is set to resume. Forum for Democratic Change, the main opposition party, recently declared it had pulled out of the protests led by Activists for Change (A4C), the pressure group that was behind the ‘walk to work’ campaign, but this decision, it appears, did not have the blessing of the FDC president, Dr Besigye. The declaration was made by FDC spokesperson, Wafula Oguttu, on May 30, when Besigye was out of the country. “The campaign has led to death of innocent Ugandans; the government has been so brutal during the protests. So, we thought it wise to quit in order to save the  lives of Ugandans,” Oguttu told journalists. However, Besigye’s conduct since his return from the United States where he had gone for further treatment after government security agents sprayed him with pepper, paints a different picture. It portrays Besigye as reinforcing the ‘walk to work’ action, rather than ending it. During some of his court appearances last week, Besigye walked to and from court, where he is battling cases of inciting violence, rioting after proclamation, and unlawful assembly. On June 13, he walked from his home to Kasangati court where his case was, however, adjourned because the state had not concluded  investigations. After the adjournment, Besigye walked back to his home, accompanied by his supporters. Two days later, he drove to Nabweru court where he faces charges of holding unlawful assembly and inciting violence in relation to his earlier participation in the ‘walk to work’ demonstrations. He attempted to walk home after the session, even against the advice of his lawyers, but was blocked by police. He then camped at nearby Nabweru Catholic Church, vowing not to leave until the police allowed him to walk to his home. Besigye left the church premises about three hours later, escorted by three police patrol cars. The Observer has learnt that his insistence on walking is in total disregard of advice from his lawyers and some of his colleagues in the party. Like some FDC officials, Besigye’s lawyers are said to be wary of likely consequences to his health, going by the state’s brutal response each time he has attempted to walk to work. Besigye has, however, told those concerned about his safety that he would rather die in the struggle other than live in servitude. His resilience appears to be paying off. A4C, we have been told, is set to restart the ‘walk to work’ campaign, with Besigye expected to actively participate. Even FDC officials seem to be reconsidering their earlier decision to withdraw from the campaign. For instance, Wafula Oguttu told The Observer this week: “I didn’t say we had stopped; I said we were talking stock of what was happening, to see a way forward. We have done that and we will be announcing our next course of action. You’re going to see us again soon.” He said they would participate in activities organised by A4C “as long as they are lawful”.  Matthias Mpuuga, the A4C coordinator, told The Observer that A4C is soon re-launching its civil disobedience activities, which could feature ‘walk to work’ alongside other new activities. “It doesn’t make sense to leave a winning approach. ‘Walk to work’ and ‘hoot and drive’ were successful, but we also have other ways that can win,” he said. Mukono municipality MP, Betty Nambooze, one of the architects of ‘walk to work’, separately told The Observer about their new activities, saying “it is not good to engage in a single activity for so long”. “We shall be using Parliament as well,” she said, revealing that A4C was involved in organising the recent opposition walk-out on President Museveni as he delivered the state of the nation address. The planned resumption of ‘walk to work’ and other forms of civil protests is motivated by many factors, including the reading of the national budget, which the opposition say failed to address their concerns, such as the rising food and fuel prices. The opposition, sources say, has also been energised by the state’s failure last week to commence prosecution of Besigye on any of the charges against him. DP President, Norbert Mao, a lawyer, told The Observer that government doesn’t arrest opposition leaders with the intention of prosecuting them but, rather, to scare them. “The government brings these charges with no intention of prosecuting the cases, but to  intimidate, harass and humiliate political opponents,” he said. FDC secretary general, Alice Alaso, told The Observer that members of her party agree on the principle of supporting lawful civil disobedience activities, irrespective of the organisers. “That is what government listens to; not letters, petitions, talk-shows. It is important that the advocacy continues,” Alaso said. However, activities that do not include Dr Besigye, who enjoys a charismatic following  in the opposition, tend to struggle. A good example is the recent UPC-led ‘Free Uganda’ campaign, which went almost unnoticed. On the other hand, ‘walk-to-work’ was booming until Besigye was violently arrested and ended up in hospital, upon which the walking effectively came to an end. His refusal to give up this particular mode of protest could, therefore, see a return to the unrest witnessed earlier this year

Picture Of The Day-Mao Camps At Obama Office In Us!

SOURCE: THE RED PEPPER, 21 JUNE 2011

Hon. Norbert Mao, President of Uganda’s Democratic Party is taking the Ugandan protests global and will spend the next week in Washington, D.C., meeting US officials and Ugandan activists.

A US-based Ugandan journalist and human rights activist Charles Bukenya Muvawala will be holding a hunger strike at Washington DC, until President Barack Obama agrees to meet him to address the gross human rights violations being committed by the dictatorial regime of General Museveni in Uganda.

This 24-hr vigil at the White House was launched Monday, June 20, 2011 by Hon. Norbert Mao to highlight the current campaign of civil disobedience in Uganda, and the implications of the Arab Spring to democracy and development, peace and security in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Watch this space!

Norbert Mao and Charles Bukenya a US-based Ugandan journalist and human rights activist.

Mao and Muvawala

Tension as FDC officials are arrested by military

SOURCE: THE SUNDAY MONITOR,19 JUNE 2011

Mr Mukaira & Lt. Col. Kulayigye 

Military Intelligence officials have arrested Forum for Democratic Change Bushenyi District Chairman, William Mukaira, on charges yet to be disclosed.

Mr Mukaire becomes the second FDC official from western Uganda to be arrested by Uganda military officials under unclear circumstances after Dr Aggery Byamaka, another FDC officer in Mbarara Municipality, was arrested on Thursday.

Septuagenarian Mukaira was picked from his home in Bwatoogo cell in Bushenyi Municipality on Friday in the morning by military officers, and immediately whisked off to an undisclosed location.

Uganda Peoples Defence Force Spokesman Felix Kulayigye confirmed the arrest to Sunday Monitor yesterday but said the charges against the two officials will be made public when they are produced in court next week.
“I can confirm that we have arrested them. I think they will be produced in court soon, probably on Monday,” Lt. Col. Kulayigye said, adding, “The charges will be made public when we bring them to court.”

Although Lt. Col. Kulayigye did not reveal the military facility where the officials are currently being detained, military sources intimated to Sunday Monitor that Mr Mukaira and Byamaka could have been brought to the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence in Kampala.

Dr Byamaka’s wife, Doreen Byamaka, said yesterday that her husband was picked at about 1.30pm from his work place and that she followed him to the headquarters of UPDF Second Division in Mbarara where he was detained.
“We were at our place of work and a man dressed in UPDF uniform came and said we want you, let us go,” she said, adding, “When we asked where he was being taken and for what reasons, they asked me to follow them and go see the place.”

She adds that when they got to the quarter guard, they asked her to return. Dr Byamaka is the proprietor of Byamaka Pharmaceuticals and Hotel Serene on Buremba Road in Kakoba Division in Mbarara Municiparity.

When contacted by Sunday Monitor, the Second Division Spokesperson, Capt. Robert Kamara, said he does not want to discuss Mukaira’s arrested. “I don’t want to go into those matters so much,” he said.

Mr Mukaira, the former Bushenyi district chairman, is the proprietor of Valley College, Bushenyi, and also owns a hotel in the district.

Sunday Monitor has learnt that his arrest could be linked to his persistent campaign that government must explain the death of UPDF renegade commander Col. Edson Muzoora whose body was dumped at his family home on May 27.

Sources told this newspaper that the police had also targeted his wife but failed to find her at her home in Bushenyi.

The Regional Police spokesperson, Ms Polly Namaye, confirmed Mukaira’s arrest but refused to give details. “We picked him because there are some investigations we want to do,” she said.

Saleh advises Museveni to hand over power in 2016

SOURCE: THE DAILY MONITOR, 18 JUNE 2011

Gen. Saleh has ruled out the possibility of him calling the President to advise him to step aside.

General Caleb Akandwanaho a.k.a Salim Saleh has said he personally feels that President Museveni should prepare to hand over power in 2016 to another person.
But he insists the big decision on the matter must be taken by the NRM party and not the President or his family.

He indicated that he would be ready to take up the mantle but only if “necessary”. He, however, did not explain the circumstances that would warrant necessity.

Appearing on the Kfm Hot Seat show on Thursday evening, Gen Saleh, who was speaking out for the first time to a national audience in more than seven months, a period that has seen wide speculation about an alleged fallout between him and the President, said he was not interested in the job of President of Uganda
The general, who was announced dead on a social media platform, talked about a wide range of issues affecting the country, including his conspicuous silence and absence from public life, the walk-to-work demonstrations, corruption and the recent purchase of Sukoi fighter jets.

Saleh attacked the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) leader, Dr Kizza Besigye, whom he insisted had a hidden motive beyond concerns on the cost of living.

But when he was challenged on his defence of security agencies in crushing the demonstrators, Saleh warned that the situation could have been worse had he been in command.

Asked if he believes that it would be convenient in 2016 for President Museveni to step aside and allow someone else to assume the leadership of the country, Saleh said: “Personally, I would think so, but really it is up to the party (NRM).”

Saleh is the younger brother of Mr Museveni and played a big role in the 1986 bush war which brought President Museveni and the NRM into power.

During the show hosted by Charles Mwanguhya, Saleh explained that it might not be in the interest of the President to stay in power for a long time but that he could be acting under the influence of party interests.

“It’s not up to him, it’s up to the party,” Gen. Saleh said, adding, “As a family member---I think---we are permanently overridden by national and party interest, both myself and others in the family. I don’t think we would wish to be where we are. But sometimes we have to subordinate our personal interests to those of the country.”

Saleh, however, ruled out the possibility of him calling the President to advise him to step aside.
“No no. no. He is still my boss. He is a commander in-chief and I am a junior. I follow his orders really. I don’t have the privilege of challenging him. He is ideologically more competent than me, so he knows what he is doing.”

The former NRA bush war hero, revealed that he is not interested in replacing his brother as the President of Uganda unless if he is pushed by unavoidable circumstances.

“I operate better under command,” he said. “I have no ambition unless it is necessary. I am really not interested in that job.”

Asked whether Uganda should have spent $740 million to buy fighter jets, Saleh, a former army commander and military advisor to the President, refused to discuss the matter, claiming that it was the role of the Minister of Defence to defend the controversial purchase.

“I know you want our heads to clash but please reserve that question for the Minister of Defence, Dr (Cryspus) Kiyongo,” he said.

The Governor Central Bank, Mr Tumusiime Mutebile, said this week that Mr Museveni’s erratic policies and the government’s fiscal indiscipline have led to higher inflation and declining foreign reserves.

Mr Mutebile told Financial Times, a UK-based newspaper, that he had disagreed with Mr Museveni over the decision to spend $740 million on jet fighters, which has pushed reserves down from six to four months of import cover.
The ministry of Defence, under President Museveni’s directive, withdrew a reported $400 million (Shs960 billion) from the Central Bank to pay for the fighter jets without parliamentary approval.

But Saleh told KFM, a sister station of the Saturday Monitor, that as a security consultant, Uganda needs more aircrafts - three times the level of what has been purchased but that he is not sure whether this should have been the right time to carry out the contentious purchase.

Gen. Saleh also said he was disappointed with his friend and bush war colleague Dr Besigye who, he said, instead of proposing alternative solutions to the current fuel and food crisis, has resorted to inspiring insurrections against a legitimate government.

Dr Besigye spearheaded the recent protest whose callous handling by security operatives drew attention of the international community about Uganda’s flimsy political situation and attracted foreign condemnation of the President.

He defended the heavy force used by the Ugandan military and police in quelling the protests and warned that it would have been worse had he been in command because he cannot withstand the level of provocation from the opposition.

Big disappointment
Although Saleh admitted that the issues being raised by the opposition are valid and should be handled, he said he was disappointed with Dr Besigye’s approach.
“He tried to play a film on TV but that will not help him. His arrest in Wandegeya (by Arinitwe Bwana) was a pity. It was a pity for Dr Besigye to reach that extent of being manhandled like that. They should have used better means,” he said.

“He is a very eloquent person, much eloquent than me and that’s why he was National Political Commissar before I dreamed of becoming one. I don’t know why he has resorted to these means that ridicule him and Uganda.

This time I have to entirely blame him because he has capacity to save the situation. I will call him if you give me his number. ….The last time I called him was in August last year but he didn’t pick my call. I will call him again if you give me his number because it seems I lost it.”he added

Media barred from Besigye trial

SOURCE: THE DAILY MONITOR, 16 JUNE 2011

NO WHERE TO HIDE: Dr Besigye (2nd L) and his aides take refuge at Yowana Maria Mzee Catholic Church after the police barred them from walking from court .

Dr Kizza Besigye yesterday promised to fight attempts to try him behind closed-doors after security agents stopped journalists and the public from entering Nabweru Court purportedly on the instructions of the magistrate.

Chief Magistrate Justine Atukwasa presided over the brief proceedings as scores of armed security personnel in police uniforms and plain clothes milled around the premises.
She adjourned the hearings to July 8, ostensibly to allow Dr Besigye’s lawyer Earnest Kalibbala study prosecution documents and prepare for cross-examination and defence.

Ms Atukwasa is the same magistrate who controversially presided over other protest-related cases preferred against Dr Besigye in three separate jurisdictions, setting stiff bail conditions when she released him from detention in Nakasongola.

Dr Besigye yesterday said the adjournment was a direct consequence of the prosecution’s failure to provide to his lawyers copies of assorted documents and witness statements they intend to rely on during trial.

“We shall not allow trial in closed-door court when journalists and members of the public are blocked from knowing the proceedings. We shall challenge this illegality in court because the law is very clear,” said Dr Besigye shortly after court.

Charged jointly with supporters Francis Mwijukye, Aaron Kaija and Feziren Nuwagaba; Dr Besigye is facing allegations of holding illegal assembly and inciting violence – arising out of his participation in the walk-to-work protests against the rising cost of living. The group denies the charges.

Scuffle at court
There was a scuffle as Dr Besigye’s co-accused unsuccessfully tried to force open the court gate, prompting Kawempe Police Station commander Moses Ochieng to intervene on two occasions as his men clashed with the co-accused and journalists whose pleas to be let in had been ignored by Ms Atukwase.

Judiciary spokesperson Elias Kisawuzi refused to be drawn into the matter. “I am not aware of any order to block the media and public from accessing court,” he said, adding that although he had no knowledge of the incident, “proceedings are supposed to be public unless there is an order”.

Business was paralysed in Nabweru and surrounding areas when security personnel prevented Dr Besigye, his supporters and journalists from walking from the court premises and getting onto the Nabweru-Nansana Road.

Another confrontation ensued before Dr Besigye accompanied by his supporters took refuge at the nearby Yowana Maria Mzee Catholic Church. They sat in the church compound from 10.30am until 3.30pm under the surveillance of the police who kept dispersing curious bystanders. He later got into his car and drove away.

Heavy security
Security deployed heavily from Wandegeya along the entire route to Nabweru Court with armed police in riot gear backed by water cannon trucks stationed at various places. Roadblocks were thrown up at Mulago Roundabout, Northern By-pass junction, at Bwaise, Kazo junction, and others on the way to Nabweru.
Police spokeswoman Judith Nabakooba yesterday said they deployed for crowd control.

“The court had requested the police to take control of crowds which at times create noise. The deployment along the road is to maintain law and order,” she said

State fails to bring witnesses in Besigye case

SOURCE: THE DAILY MONITOR, 16 JUNE 2011

Opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye talking to the media at Kasangati Magistrates’ Court today after appearing to answer charges against him.

The trial of the opposition Forum for Democratic Change leader, Dr Kizza Besigye seems to be far from over.

The Kasagati based court adjourned the Dr Besigye case, where the state is allegedly accusing him of failing to comply with a lawful order that culminated in walk to work protest, two months ago.

The trial Magistrate, James Eremye adjourned the hearing to July 13 for the second time in as many months.

The Magistrate agreed with the state’s prosecutor, Gladys Nyanzi , that the case cannot proceed because key witnesses were not available.

“It is clear that the witnesses have not been summoned although efforts have been done,” Mr Eremye said. “

“But because the witnesses are police officers, they can be got through their institution. For the interest of justice and without prejudicing the matter, after listening to the submissions of both counsels I adjourned this matter to July 13.”

However, Dr Besigye’s Counsel, Mr David Mpanga pleaded for dismissal of the case arguing that without witnesses the court has the jurisdiction to dismiss the matter. He also brought courts attention to the inconvenience Dr Besigye faces each time the state fails to produce key witnesses

Dr Besigye used his car unlike the previous sessions to the court from his home located about 2km away appeared before court for trial but the case was extended

Police blocks Besigye, takes refuge at Church

SOURCE: THE DAILY MONITOR, 15 JUNE 2011

Besigye with his aides seated outside Yowana Maria Mzee Church after court hearing at Nabweru Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday. 

There is a stand-off between police and opposition supporters at the gate of Yowana Maria Mzee church after Forum for Democratic Change President Kizza Besigye was blocked by police from walking from Nabweru Court where he appeared on charges of holding illegal assembly.

Speaking to Daily Monitor in a telephone interview, Dr. Besigye said, “I am here surrounded by the police. I can see they are positioning themselves and I don’t know what they are planning to do. I was just walking and it is something that I am determined to do; that I can walk in my country unhindered because that is my right.”

Currently, there is a stand-off between the police and some FDC supporters at the Church. Our reporter at the scene says police are used batons and sticks to scatter his supporters who had gathered around Dr. Besigye. More trucks of police officers armed with pistols, AK-47s and water canon have been deployed at the scene.

The stand off reportedly started after Dr. Besigye emerged from Nabweru Court where he had gone to answer charges of holding illegal assembly and inciting violence. Our reporter at the scene says the police swung into action after Dr Besigye showed no sign of boarding his vehicle when he emerged out of the court.

Together with four of his aides, Dr Besigye opted to walk towards Nabweru -Nansana Road attracting curious onlookers and supporters who joined the walk. The police then sealed off the road forcing Dr Besigye and his aides to seek refuge in a nearby church where he sat on the steps

Police Blocks Besigye From Walking Home!

SOURCE: THE RED PEPPER, 15 JUNE 2011

Police Surround St. Luke Nabweru Catholic Church where Besigye had camped.

Police has blocked Kiiza Besigye, the Forum for Democratic Change president from walking from Nabweru Magistrate’s court to his home in Kasangati.

Besigye appeared Wednesday morning before Nabweru magistrate’s court to answer charges of his involvement in the walk to work protests.

However, the case was adjourned as prosecution asked for more time to complete investigations.

Minutes after the court adjournment, Besigye walked out of the courtroom and started walking to his home along Nansana-Nabwero road.

He was however intercepted by police a few meters opposite Nabweru sub county headquarters by Michael Mugabi, Kampala North Regional Police Commander.

Mugabi ordered Besigye to stop walking accusing him of leading an illegal procession, a charge he denied.

Besigye told Mugabi that he has not invited anybody to follow and asked police to stop them from following him to allow him continue with his journey.

Mugabi would not have any of this and insisted that Besigye stops walking. A bitter exchange of words ensued between the duo forcing Besigye to branch off to St Luke Catholic church opposite Nabweru sub county headquarters.

Several people followed him to the compound of the church as police deployed strategically around the church. Heavily armed police backed with armored cars have deployed along Nansana-Nabweru road ready to quell any procession

Besigye In Court

Police blocks Besigye, takes refuge at Church

SOURCE: THE DAILY MONITOR, 15 JUNE 2011

Dr. Kizza Besigye walks to Nabweru Magistrates court on Monday.

There is a stand-off between police and opposition supporters at the gate of Yowana Maria Mzee church after Forum for Democratic Change President Kizza Besigye was blocked by police from walking from Nabweru Court where he appeared on charges of holding illegal assembly.

Speaking to Daily Monitor in a telephone interview, Dr. Besigye said, “I am here surrounded by the police. I can see they are positioning themselves and I don’t know what they are planning to do. I was just walking and it is something that I am determined to do; that I can walk in my country unhindered because that is my right.”

Currently, there is a stand-off between the police and some FDC supporters at the Church. Our reporter at the scene says police are used batons and sticks to scatter his supporters who had gathered around Dr. Besigye. More trucks of police officers armed with pistols, AK-47s and water canon have been deployed at the scene.

The stand off reportedly started after Dr. Besigye emerged from Nabweru Court where he had gone to answer charges of holding illegal assembly and inciting violence. Our reporter at the scene says the police swung into action after Dr Besigye showed no sign of boarding his vehicle when he emerged out of the court.

Together with four of his aides, Dr Besigye opted to walk towards Nabweru -Nansana Road attracting curious onlookers and supporters who joined the walk. The police then sealed off the road forcing Dr Besigye and his aides to seek refuge in a nearby church where he sat on the steps

Besigye returns to court

Opposition now wants court to restrain police

SOURCE: THE DAILY MONITOR, 13 JUNE 2011

Three opposition political parties now want court to permanently restrain the police from breaking up their peaceful processions.
Under the umbrella organisation, Free Uganda Now, the Democratic Party, the Uganda Peoples Congress and the Social Democratic Party, said police was interfering with Ugandans’ constitutional right to free assembly.

“We are going to take legal action to get the police permanently restrained from interfering with our enjoyment of constitutional rights. We are also going to sue police for arresting and torturing innocent people,” Mr Mao, the president of DP, said on Friday.

The Police last week blocked a planned rally by Free Uganda Now, claiming that the opposition had not complied with police directives.
The party leaders were set to address a rally at Nsambya playgrounds but the police sealed off Uganda House where the group was holed up for a meeting before they could head to Nsambya.

No retreat

Mr Mabikke, the SDP president, said that if police continues thus, the Free Uganda Now pressure group would keep them (police) busy.

“If police continues like this, it will be busier because no amount of intimidation, oppression, brutality will distract us from our planned activities,” Mr Mabikke said. He said in the coming days, they would fan out their activities to other towns other than Kampala.

The three opposition leaders vowed they would not retreat from their campaign until Ugandans are freed from subjugation.
They said they are working with the Action for Change and NGOs, to liberate Uganda.

The parties also promised medical, legal assistance and bail costs for their arrested supporters. “We are also keeping a tab on the police officers leading the brutality. We will make sure that the international community denies them the freedom to travel abroad,” Mr Mao said.

He added that they would give the International Criminal Court more information on the police’s behaviour so that they can be prosecuted for crimes against humanity.

“We have a list of 45 people in the police and army who should be nailed and shamed,” Mr Mao said. Mr Mao, who named several Kampala Police division bosses as among those targeted, added that the police ought to be neutral while enforcing the law.

Besigye set to appear in court

SOURCE: THE DAILY MONITOR, 13 JUNE 2011

FDC president Kizza Besigye has returned into the country after seeking treatment in the US for injuries he sustained during the walk-to-work campaign.

Dr Besigye arrived at Entebbe International Airport yesterday morning, airport security sources said yesterday.
He is expected to appear in court several times this week over the walk-to-work protests.

Three files of holding unlawful assembly are set for mention in Kasangati Magistrate’s Court today while on Wednesday, Dr Besigye has to appear at Nabweru Chief Magistrate on similar cases.

Nearly two months ago, security agencies blocked and violently arrested Dr Besigye as he walked from his home in Kasangati, Wakiso District to his workplace in Najjanankumbi, Kampala, on charges of obstructing traffic.The walk-to-work campaign was organised by Activists for Change, a pressure group formed to press government to address the soaring fuel and commodity prices.

Pepper spray
Several demonstrations followed after his brutal arrest, in which his eyes and back were drenched with pepper spray, causing him temporary blindness.

On Thursday, Dr Besigye is also expected to appear at Kasangati Magistrate’s Court to answer charges of holding an unlawful assembly.
Police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba confirmed Dr Besigye’s arrival and said they have no problem with him coming back to his country but cautioned him against engaging in “unsanctioned” walk-to-work campaign today.

While in the US, Dr Besigye said on Straight Talk Africa programme on Voice of America, that he met Johnnie Carson, the US Secretary of State for African Affairs. The US is one of the major donors to Uganda and an ally to President Museveni’s government.

Opposition Watered

Free Uganda campaigners blocked

Uganda sued at EA court over protests clampdown

Lawyers from the East African region have sued the Uganda government, accusing its security agencies of human rights violations and breach of the Constitution during the recent walk-to-work demonstrations.

The East Africa Law Society sued the Ugandan authorities at the East African Court of Justice in Arusha, Tanzania, in a case filed yesterday evening by the Vice President of the regional law body, Mr Aggrey Mwamu.
The suit was presented to the Office of the EACJ Registrar in Arusha shortly before 5pm yesterday after all paperwork formalities were completed.

The Ugandan government is accused of gross violations of human rights of its people who were engaged in walk-to-work protests that swept the country starting April this year, leading to deaths of at least 10 individuals, several injuries and destruction of property.

EALS alleges that Ugandan security forces were behind arbitrary arrests and killing of innocent people during the chaos “in violation of the very basic tenets of human rights”, which guarantees them freedom of speech and movement, among others.

Briefing the media before the case was formally filed at the court on Moshi Road, Mr Mwamu said the regional law society was empowered to raise its voice over matters pertaining to human rights violations.

Empowered agency
“The Memorandum of Articles empowers the society to intervene in matters pertaining to human rights violations and arrest the situation before it goes out of hand,” he told reporters at the court’s premises. Also sued was the East African Community (EAC), whose secretary general was accused of remaining “quiet” despite the deteriorating situation in Uganda.

Mr Mwamu argued that the arbitrary arrests, beatings of people and the killings that followed were against the EAC Treaty articles and clauses on good governance and adherence to human rights as agreed upon by all the five partner states. “As the atrocities were committed in Uganda, neither the EAC secretary general nor any of the five members of the Community raised concern. They all kept quiet...this is against the EAC Treaty,” he said.

The suit also included a retention case against the Kenyan government for what EALS described as unconstitutional extradition of Kenyan citizens to Uganda to face charges related to the terrorist activities in Kampala in July 2010.

The EALS officials charged that the Kenyans were handed over to the Ugandan authorities without any legal procedures taken. These included the extradition formalities that are required to transfer a suspect to another country.

“The Kenyan citizens were handed over in a casual manner. This was also inconsistent with the Kenya Constitution. To make matters worse, the EAC boss did nothing to remind the partner states on the anomaly,” he said.
The third case within the suit was on the glaring contradictions between the EAC Common Market Protocol and the Treaty that established EAC “which we feel must be sufficiently addressed before things get out of hand”.

Summons for govt
Officials of EACJ said after the case has been filed, summons would be served to the respective governments within 14 days. Thereafter, the court would convene a pre-trial conference to determine when the cases are to be heard.