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.

Ssekikubo to stand for the presidency

SOURCE: THE DAILY MONITOR, 2 FEBRUARY 2013

http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Ssekikubo-to-stand-for-the-presidency/-/688334/1681872/-/7pusn9z/-/index.html

Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs Kahinda Otafiire speaks at the graduation ceremony of Lwemiyaga MP Theodore Ssekikuubo (Left) recently. Looking on is Kampala Central legislator Mohammed Nsereko. F

IN SUMMARY

Declaration. The Lwemiyaga MP says he wants to fight corruption by assuming the highest office in the country.

Lwemiyaga County MP Theodore Ssekikubo has said he will stand for the presidency to continue with his fight against corruption and promote peace in the country.

Speaking at Lwemiyaga Secondary School Playground on Thursday at the NRM 27th anniversary, Mr Ssekikubo said he is an eligible candidate for the country’s top job with better prospects having participated in politics and governance of the country.

He said the people of Lwemiyaga are looking forward to seeing a corruption-free and a peaceful Uganda.

“I am not under any body’s instructions or guidance. I will serve my country in whatever capacity and serve my people,’’ Mr Ssekikubo said.
Mr Ssekikubo accused some NRM officials of labelling some MPs ‘rebels’ for discussing weakness in government and exposing officials who mismanage public resources.

“I am in NRM by conviction not by conscription and I am a law abiding person who loves NRM,’’ he said.

“Those who think they can use personal interests to dismiss me are just wasting their time,” the MP said in reference to threats by the ruling NRM party that members who go against party positions could face disciplinary action .
He accused a group of his party officials of reporting him to President Museveni and labelling him a ‘rebel’ in the NRM.

Constituents approve
“Lwemiyaga County is known in Parliament as a breeding ground for outspoken people. It is known oversees and even US president Obama knows it,’’ he said, adding that his constituency will be in control of State House.

Lwemiyaga County residents have welcomed Mr Ssekikubo’s declaration, saying if he stands for the presidency, come 2016 general elections, they will support.

“President Museveni is getting old but Mr Ssekikubo is an energetic young man who can fight for the needs of impoverished people who are denied access to developmental government projects,’’ said the NRM chairman for Lwemiyaga County, Mr Ibrahim Batuma.

Coup threat tantamount to Treason

Citizens Weigh in on coup Threats

Besigye Lauds President Museveni On Peace And Security

SOURCE: THE RED PEPPER, 31 JANUARY 2013

http://www.redpepper.co.ug/?p=5347

Former FDC President Kiiza Besigye

Former Forum for Democratic Change president Col .Kizza Besigye has in a surprise turn heaped praise on his political nemesis, Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni for restoring peace to the country.

Besigye who is not known to acknowledge the positives of the ruling National resistance Movement headed by President Museveni revealed this on Wednesday in an interview. He however faulted the President for diverting off the mission that inspired the 1981-86 guerrilla war that catapulted the NRA to power.

“I supported the intentions of the bush war which brought the NRM to power, but I am ashamed of what is going on in this leadership.” Besigye said

Besigye’s comments come as the ruling NRM celebrates its 27^th anniversary.

Besigye also said corruption in the country has reached unbelievable heights, with numerous scandals coming up every day, criticizing the use of public resources by the top leaders at the expense of the poor masses.

He cited the poor people mostly in the Eastern region who have suffered to an extent of being eaten up by jiggers as the leader lives in extravagance.

Kiiza Besigye contested for the presidency three times in 2001, 2006 and 2011 but lost all to Yoweri Museveni.

The retired Colonel served as Museveni’s personal physician in the National Resistance Army (NRA), when the group waged a guerilla war in the early 1980s and held ministerial positions after the former captured power in 1986.

In 1999, he applied to leave the army after authoring a damning dossier against the government and parted ways with his former commander forming opposition pressure group Reform Agenda before the advent of FDC.

Last year he relinquished power to Mugisha Muntu after retiring from his position as FDC president.

Aronda sued over coup comments

SOURCE: THE DAILY MONITOR, 30 JANUARY 2013 

http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Aronda-sued-over-coup-comments/-/688334/1679130/-/flfhv4/-/index.html

IN SUMMARY

Treason. Luweero Woman MP Brenda Nabukenya claims army commander’s remarks amount to treason.

The Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, has been dragged to court over a statement he made, warning that the army could be forced to take over power if politicians do not change course.

The petition filed at Nakawa Magistrates Court is based on an affidavit sworn by Luweero Woman MP Brenda Nabukenya, who wants Aronda charged with three counts of treason.

He faces charges of treason related to contriving a plot, by force of arms to overthrow the Government of Uganda as by law established contrary to Section 23(1)c of the Penal Code Act. The CDF is also accused of treason through intimidating and inciting the military against the institution of Parliament, contrary to Section 23(2)a.

He is further accused of inciting officers and men of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces to commit an act or acts of mutiny and treachery. 
Gen. Nyakairima stands accused of having committed the said offences during a press conference at the Army Headquarters, Mbuya, on January 23.

Ms Nabukenya avers that she has been advised by her lawyers that the CDF’s comments amount to criminal offences, including inciting the army to commit a crime, treason, offences against the State, concealment of treason and terrorism.

Mr Caleb Alaka of M/S Alaka & Company Advocates is representing Ms Nabukenya, according to court documents seen by this newspaper. 
“We think there was an act of treason committed by the Chief of Defence Forces,” said Mr Alaka last evening shortly after filing the case. “This is an elected government, you cannot as army commander talk of a taking-over even if the President has spoken. The President cannot overthrow himself but the army can.”

Ms Nabukenya said she was compelled to petition the court following an outcry from her constituents in Luweero.

Submission
“It is a fact that I have filed a case. You know I represent the people of Luweero, the area that suffered most under the war that brought this government to power, and my people have been complaining to me, saying they fear a return to conflict. Beside the feelings of the people, it is against the Constitution to talk of overtaking the government,” Ms Nabukenya said. “There was a need for someone to come out and account.”
The petition is the latest twist in a growing dispute over the doctrine of separation of powers and the independence of Parliament, which goes back to arguments about corruption during passionate debate on the oil sector. 
This dispute escalated following the death of Butaleja MP Cerinah Nebanda on December 14, 2012.

In an affidavit accompanying the petition, Ms Nabukenya tries to establish a link between the death of Nebanda, the subsequent fall-out between the Executive and Parliament after a section of MPs questioned government handling of the investigation and its own role in her suspicious demise.
Ms Nabukenya’s lawyers said they plan to serve Gen. Nyakairima through the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence but it was not clear whether the petition had been delivered by press time. 
Treason is a capital offence and attracts a maximum sentence of death upon conviction.