Monday, 9 April 2012
‘Museveni leading Uganda into deadly chaos’
SOURCE: THE DAILY MONITOR, 9 APRIL 2012
President Museveni .
IN SUMMARY
- Tamale Mirundi. “Because the report authors have a white skin, they think they are knowledgeable and intelligent yet they are not. Where were they when Obote and Amin were killing Ugandans?”
- Karooro Okurut. “NRM has put in place mechanisms to ensure the continued stability and prosperity of Uganda. The authors are most likely misinformed. Museveni’s is not a one-man rule because the Legislature and Judiciary are strong, each working independently, but both providing oversight on the Executive.”
President Museveni is ruling Uganda through repression and patronage like Milton Obote and Idi Amin did, setting up the country for future bloodshed, the International Crisis Group has warned.
The Brussels-based organisation, which works to predict, prevent and resolve occurrence of deadly conflicts, says in the report that Mr Museveni needs to change his governance course.The latest report released on Thursday - but one State House described as the handiwork of “ignorant Europeans” – alleges that the President favours his kinsmen and increasingly relies on them to sustain his weakening rule.
“Museveni’s governance trajectory resembles those of Milton Obote and Idi Amin – without the blatant brutality – beginning with policies of tolerance and inclusion that gradually change to exclusion and repression,” notes the report.
The two presidents were violently ousted; the former by his army and Amin by invading Tanzanian troops supporting insurgent Ugandan exiles. Both ex-leaders died in exile.
ICG now says Museveni, Obote and Amin “relied on personal rule, rather than constitutional and institutional restraints, and turned increasingly to patronage and coercion to govern.”
The President distastes any comparison of him to his predecessors – who he fought against, but failed to topple – and has on occasion called them “swines”.
The President distastes any comparison of him to his predecessors – who he fought against, but failed to topple – and has on occasion called them “swines”.
His courtiers yesterday slammed findings in the latest report, with Spokesman Tamale Mirundi branding it a handiwork of “ignorant Europeans”.
He said: “Because the report authors have a white skin, they think they are knowledgeable and intelligent yet they are not. Where were they when Obote and Amin were killing Ugandans?”
In the 48-page report, the group traces Uganda’s problems to the divide-and-rule policy injected by the British colonialists, and decries the inability of post-independence leaders to cure, and their ironical appetite to promote, the polarisation based on ethnicity and religion.
In the 48-page report, the group traces Uganda’s problems to the divide-and-rule policy injected by the British colonialists, and decries the inability of post-independence leaders to cure, and their ironical appetite to promote, the polarisation based on ethnicity and religion.
Democratic reform and unifying leadership under Mr Museveni lost momentum in the first decade of his now 26-year rule, the report notes. In the period after, the President, according to the report, used the ‘no-party’ Movement system to entrench his rule.
“He replaced old politicians and long-standing NRM members who criticised his policies with trusted members of his inner circle, often from his home area.”
In 2005, Mr Museveni offloaded the likes of Miria Matembe and Eriya Kategaya from his cabinet after they publicly opposed his manoeuvres to remove the constitutional presidential term limits.
Government Spokesperson Karooro Okurut told Sunday Monitor by telephone that the report is premised on “falsehoods” and the prediction of violence in post-Museveni era is “wishful thinking” of the authors.
Government Spokesperson Karooro Okurut told Sunday Monitor by telephone that the report is premised on “falsehoods” and the prediction of violence in post-Museveni era is “wishful thinking” of the authors.
“NRM has put in place mechanisms to ensure there is continued stability and prosperity of Uganda,” she said. “The authors are most likely misinformed. Museveni’s is not a one-man rule because the Legislature and Judiciary are strong, each working independently, but both providing oversight on the Executive.”
The report titled; Uganda: No resolution to growing tensions, explores the perfidious and often confrontational relationships between the central government and Mengo, the seat of the populous Buganda Kingdom.
Bishops tell Museveni to leave power in 2016
SOURCE: THE DAILY MONITOR, 9 APRIL 2012
Rt. Rev. Nathan Ahimbisibwe, the South Ankole Diocese bishop, prays for President Museveni and wife Janet at St. Matthew Cathedral in Kyamate during the Easter service yesterday. Other clerics have asked the President not to stand again for presidency come 2016.
IN SUMMARY
Their comments come in the wake of the latest Afrobarometer Survey, which showed that 74 per cent of Ugandans feel the country is heading in the wrong direction.
KAMPALA
The same call was echoed by Kampala Anglican assistant bishop Zac Niringiye, who said Mr Museveni should relinquish power at the end of his current term if he wants to have a clean legacy recorded.The Kampala Catholic Archbishop, Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, has called on President Museveni to peacefully relinquish power in 2016, saying it is the best gift he can give to Ugandans.
The two prelates also urged the President to start thinking of how his succession will be peacefully managed for the sake of the country’s stability.
“The biggest gift the President can give Ugandans is the smooth transfer of power when his term of office is over,” Dr Lwanga said in his Easter sermon at Rubaga Cathedral. He added: “How can you (security forces) mercilessly flog the very people who pay taxes that is then used to pay your salaries.”
Dr Lwanga said given President Museveni’s telling contribution over the years, he believes he (President) has to pave way for smooth transition of power in the next four years. He said it is time for Mr Museveni to think about how he would be remembered when he no longer wields State power.
In a separate sermon at St. Stephen’s Church of Uganda, Kisugu, Dr Niringiye said he was retiring from active priesthood to pay attention to issues affecting the country. “I am saying restore term limits and we are also saying Mzee finish well and retire well and I am going to work for that when I retire,” he said.
“I hear security forces are plotting against me but this is part of God’s ministry. Many people are asking whether I am not afraid of what I am going into but I don’t fear death,” Dr Niringye said.
Bishop Niringiye is part of a civil society lobby that is reviving and actively campaigning for calls to restore the Constitutional Presidential term limits, removed in 2005 to help Mr Museveni run in the 2006 presidential race.
Bishop Niringiye is part of a civil society lobby that is reviving and actively campaigning for calls to restore the Constitutional Presidential term limits, removed in 2005 to help Mr Museveni run in the 2006 presidential race.
Information minister Mary Karooro Okurut (Bushenyi Woman, NRM) yesterday said the ruling party would decide Mr Museveni’s succession at the right time. “The question of who will be the NRM Presidential flag bearer in the next election will be determined by NRM,” she said.
The bishops call comes against the backdrop of a report released on Thursday by the Brussels-based International Crisis Group which predicted Mr Museveni was ruling Uganda through patronage and repression and could lead Uganda into deadly chaos if he does not change his governance course.
The government dismissed the report as “handiwork of ignorant Europeans”. The bishops comments also come in the wake of the latest Afrobarometer Survey conducted in partnership with Wilsken Agencies Ltd and the Centre for Democratic Governance between December 2011 and February 2012, which showed that 74 per cent of Ugandans feel the country is heading in the wrong direction.
The figure represents a sharp reversal in public opinion compared to what the same institution, which measures social, political and economic trends in 20 African countries, found out in January last year.
Dr Niringiye also warned the people around the President, saying they feed him with inaccurate information. Dr Lwanga last week dismissed reports that he had links with a rebel group, saying the rumours were the handiwork of wrong elements in the intelligence agencies.
He told a church conference in Mbarara that church leaders face being framed on political charges of rape, defilement, incest, molestation and illegal possession of guns if claims contained in an anonymous letter he obtained were to be taken seriously.
Last year in April, the opposition pressure group, Activists for Change, started walk-to-work protests over increasing cost of living.
Saturday, 7 April 2012
We Will Change A4C To A2C- Besigye
SOURCE: THE RED PEPPER, 7 APRIL 2012
Besigye with aide Sam Mugumya past cops at Kololo on Thursday
Forum for Democratic Change boss Dr. Kizza Besigye has said many names have been suggested to replace Activists for Change (A4C) after the Attorney General Peter Nyombi declared the pressure group illegal and banned. “You can ban the name but can’t ban people. We have so many names we are looking at apparently and we can decide to call the group Action to Change or Arising for Change,” Besigye told Red Pepper on the sidelines of Kololo rally on Thursday. But the most sensationalized name to be adopted is Action to Change (A2C) as every opposition officials present at the rally regardless of the political party he/she comes from was overheard singing A2C. “We can call it Action to Change, and Museveni should be aware of this name because it has that word ‘action’. You can’t ban A4C. If only you kill all of us may be there A4C can die,” said the newly elected Luweero woman MP Brenda Nabukenya. Besigye added that some political parties in Africa were banned but up to now they exist and are still in power, and A4C veto could be a sign of victory. “The ANC in South Africa was banned but tell me isn’t it the ruling party? All this is a sign of success and we can’t just give up simply the AG said on what grounds?” Besigye chorused. The bush war hero said A4C was underestimated at the start and President Museveni had an ill mentality that “no one can come to Government without gun power. But this is a huge challenge and but Besigye dedicates the achievements of A4C to the people of Uganda who have tirelessly exhibited support under unbearable circumstances though it has cost many of people’s lives, but there is one stop to victory. “I think Museveni has felt ‘PEOPLE POWER’ you know when A4C started they thought it couldn’t sustain a year but this is a very huge impact but A4C wouldn’t be there if we never hard support of the people this achievement is dedicated to you. Don’t lose hope we are just few meters away from State House,” Besigye assured fans.
You won’t kill activism, Besigye says
SOURCE: THE DAILY MONITOR, 6 APRIL 2012
An opposition supporter salutes Dr Besigye as he arrives at Kololo Airstrip for the A4C rally. Photo by Stephen Wandera
Forum for Democratic Change leader Kizza Besigye yesterday said government can ban the pressure group, Activists For Change (A4C) but not activism.
Dr Besigye said the personalities will remain even if the pressure group’s activities are banned.
Dr Besigye said the personalities will remain even if the pressure group’s activities are banned.
President Museveni’s former personal physician was responding to Wednesday’s ban of A4C activities by Attorney General Peter Nyombi.
“This question of banning A4C activities by government is a futile attempt to ban a name but you cannot ban personalities like Ssemujju, Besigye…” said Dr Besigye during a press conference at IPC office in Kampala.
“Banned organisations like ANC are the ones that have liberated nations like South Africa.”
“Banned organisations like ANC are the ones that have liberated nations like South Africa.”
Dr Besigye also wondered why government is banning A4C activities that is fighting to liberate Ugandans from dictatorship and has not banned Joseph Kibwetere’s cult which burnt thousands of people.
A4C national coordinator Mathias Mpuuga said the ban is null and void. Mr Mpuuga further said: “We are going on with our planned rally at Kololo Independence Ground and I urge all Ugandans to join us there.”
Film screening aborts
The activists present included Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, Kawempe Municipality Mayor Mubarak Munyagwa, Leader of Opposition in Parliament Nathan Nandala Mafabi, Ibrahim Ssemujju (MP Kyadondo East), Brenda Nabukenya (Luweero Woman MP), Ingrid Turinawe (FDC women’s league), Nabilah Ssempala (Kampala woman MP), Betty Nambooze (Mukono Municipality MP), among others.
The activists present included Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, Kawempe Municipality Mayor Mubarak Munyagwa, Leader of Opposition in Parliament Nathan Nandala Mafabi, Ibrahim Ssemujju (MP Kyadondo East), Brenda Nabukenya (Luweero Woman MP), Ingrid Turinawe (FDC women’s league), Nabilah Ssempala (Kampala woman MP), Betty Nambooze (Mukono Municipality MP), among others.
Though high on the agenda was screening a one-hour film documenting police brutality against the opposition, the activist could not as police had blocked their gadgets from being taken to the venue.
Mr Ssemujju promised to give each supporter a compact disc to go and watch from the comfort of their homes.
Earlier at Katonga Road, the activists displayed numerous pictures showing police brutalising civilians.
Earlier at Katonga Road, the activists displayed numerous pictures showing police brutalising civilians.
They also displayed placards with inscriptions: ‘Stop torturing journalists’, ‘2-year-old baby Juliana was shot dead by Uganda police’, ‘Amin was better than M7 - discuss’, ‘I will walk until I walk to freedom’, and ‘Police stop killing us, we want freedom of speech’, among others.
Security was beefed up and all roads leading to the airstrip was cordoned off. The security was manned by police director for operations Grace Turyagumawe and Kampala Metropolitan Police commander Andrew Kaweesi.
Victim narrates torture ordeal
At Kololo Airstrip, the activists spoke one after the other, demonising police brutality. One of the alleged police torture victim, Sulaiman Kato, testified to the activists how he was brutalised by police in 2008, leaving him disabled.
At Kololo Airstrip, the activists spoke one after the other, demonising police brutality. One of the alleged police torture victim, Sulaiman Kato, testified to the activists how he was brutalised by police in 2008, leaving him disabled.
“Police got me at Kisekka Market. I was tortured before being detained at Central Police Station. As a result, I lost may manhood and my family has taken off and I am now suffering because of police brutality,” Mr Kato said as he sobbed.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Ibin Ssenkumbi said police allowed the rally because they had already okayed it before government banned the pressure group on Wednesday.
Civil society condemns A4C ban
SOURCE: THE DAILY MONITOR, 7 APRIL 2012
Human rights groups have condemned the outlawing of Activists for Change (A4C) activities, saying the decision is deeply troubling and aimed at stifling the opposition. Human Rights Watch said Section 56(2) of the Penal Code Act is incompatible with the respect for rights of assembly, speech and association and dangerous for peace and order in Uganda.
The A4C has been behind protests against rising commodity and fuel prices, rising inflation and corruption. The Attorney General, Mr Peter Nyombi, on Wednesday invoked Section 56(2) of the Penal Code Act and declared A4C an unlawful society, thus banning its coordinators from establishing or managing any society for at least two years.
Under the law, any person proved to be a member of A4C, will be jailed for seven years, while anyone who disseminates or publishes materials that support the causes of A4C will be jailed for three years.
The group has, however, vowed to defy the declaration.
The group has, however, vowed to defy the declaration.
The Uganda Law Society president, Mr James Sebugenyi, said government should seek dialogue with the Opposition. “To this end therefore, we call upon the government not to stifle the opposition, but to draw lessons from their criticism as a way of improving its plan for the nation. Dialogue is the best way to go, and a more peaceful means of reaching a consensus,” Mr Sebugenyi said.
ULS called on government to respect human rights and freedoms that are enshrine in the Constitution.
“Government must painstakingly find ways of balancing its responsibility to protect and uphold the rule of law vis-a-vis the need to respond to discontent generally by the economic hard times and general state of despondency,” Mr Sebugenyi said.
“Government must painstakingly find ways of balancing its responsibility to protect and uphold the rule of law vis-a-vis the need to respond to discontent generally by the economic hard times and general state of despondency,” Mr Sebugenyi said.
Friday, 6 April 2012
You won’t kill activism, Besigye says
SOURCE: THE DAILY MONITOR, 6 APRIL 2012
An opposition supporter salutes Dr Besigye as he arrives at Kololo Airstrip for the A4C rally.
Forum for Democratic Change leader Kizza Besigye yesterday said government can ban the pressure group, Activists For Change (A4C) but not activism.
Dr Besigye said the personalities will remain even if the pressure group’s activities are banned.
President Museveni’s former personal physician was responding to Wednesday’s ban of A4C activities by Attorney General Peter Nyombi.
President Museveni’s former personal physician was responding to Wednesday’s ban of A4C activities by Attorney General Peter Nyombi.
“This question of banning A4C activities by government is a futile attempt to ban a name but you cannot ban personalities like Ssemujju, Besigye…” said Dr Besigye during a press conference at IPC office in Kampala.
“Banned organisations like ANC are the ones that have liberated nations like South Africa.”
“Banned organisations like ANC are the ones that have liberated nations like South Africa.”
Dr Besigye also wondered why government is banning A4C activities that is fighting to liberate Ugandans from dictatorship and has not banned Joseph Kibwetere’s cult which burnt thousands of people.
A4C national coordinator Mathias Mpuuga said the ban is null and void. Mr Mpuuga further said: “We are going on with our planned rally at Kololo Independence Ground and I urge all Ugandans to join us there.”
Film screening aborts
The activists present included Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, Kawempe Municipality Mayor Mubarak Munyagwa, Leader of Opposition in Parliament Nathan Nandala Mafabi, Ibrahim Ssemujju (MP Kyadondo East), Brenda Nabukenya (Luweero Woman MP), Ingrid Turinawe (FDC women’s league), Nabilah Ssempala (Kampala woman MP), Betty Nambooze (Mukono Municipality MP), among others.
The activists present included Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, Kawempe Municipality Mayor Mubarak Munyagwa, Leader of Opposition in Parliament Nathan Nandala Mafabi, Ibrahim Ssemujju (MP Kyadondo East), Brenda Nabukenya (Luweero Woman MP), Ingrid Turinawe (FDC women’s league), Nabilah Ssempala (Kampala woman MP), Betty Nambooze (Mukono Municipality MP), among others.
Though high on the agenda was screening a one-hour film documenting police brutality against the opposition, the activist could not as police had blocked their gadgets from being taken to the venue.
Mr Ssemujju promised to give each supporter a compact disc to go and watch from the comfort of their homes.
Earlier at Katonga Road, the activists displayed numerous pictures showing police brutalising civilians.
Earlier at Katonga Road, the activists displayed numerous pictures showing police brutalising civilians.
They also displayed placards with inscriptions: ‘Stop torturing journalists’, ‘2-year-old baby Juliana was shot dead by Uganda police’, ‘Amin was better than M7 - discuss’, ‘I will walk until I walk to freedom’, and ‘Police stop killing us, we want freedom of speech’, among others.
Security was beefed up and all roads leading to the airstrip was cordoned off. The security was manned by police director for operations Grace Turyagumawe and Kampala Metropolitan Police commander Andrew Kaweesi.
Victim narrates torture ordeal
At Kololo Airstrip, the activists spoke one after the other, demonising police brutality. One of the alleged police torture victim, Sulaiman Kato, testified to the activists how he was brutalised by police in 2008, leaving him disabled.
At Kololo Airstrip, the activists spoke one after the other, demonising police brutality. One of the alleged police torture victim, Sulaiman Kato, testified to the activists how he was brutalised by police in 2008, leaving him disabled.
“Police got me at Kisekka Market. I was tortured before being detained at Central Police Station. As a result, I lost may manhood and my family has taken off and I am now suffering because of police brutality,” Mr Kato said as he sobbed.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Ibin Ssenkumbi said police allowed the rally because they had already okayed it before government banned the pressure group on Wednesday.
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