The Electoral Commission yesterday unveiled the roadmap to next year’s elections setting October 25 and 26, 2010, as the official nomination dates for candidates intending to run for president.
Speaking during a media briefing convened at EC headquarters in Kampala, Mr Joseph Ongaria, the commission’s deputy chairperson, also hoped for a smooth and transparent process in what early indications suggest could be a much more animated contest.
“All presidential candidates will be nominated by the Commission on the above dates,” Mr Ongaria said.
No changes
He added: “The Presidential and Parliamentary elections will take place between February 12 and March 1. We have already come up with a date for presidential elections but we are still finalising with some activities; these activities will not change the period I have stated.”
Commission Secretary Sam Rwakoojo said unlike in the past where candidates paid cash at the nomination table, this time candidates will pay the nomination fee in a bank to be determined and only present a deposit slip.
Mr Rwakoojo advised all intending candidates for the highest office in the land to closely study the constitutional requirements. “Every candidate must be between 35 and 75 years of age, have at least A-level qualification, and must pay a sum of Shs8 million,” Mr Rwakoojo said. “Every candidate must gather signatures from 100 people from two-thirds of all districts in Uganda to support his nomination, present two passport size photographs and three copies of nomination forms.”
Logistics
Upon nomination, Mr Rwakoojo said, each candidate will receive transport facilitation, security and Shs20 million to help them traverse the country. He said there are no plans to increase transport facilitation to candidates despite the creation of new districts now numbering 115, up from 80 in 2006.
The 2011 polls could see more aspirants with players from a larger number of political parties declaring their interest. There were five and six presidential candidates in the 2006 and 2001 elections, respectively.
Uganda’s largest opposition party, the Forum for Democratic Change, has picked its president, Dr Kizza Besigye, as flag bearer. But Dr Besigye first faces Uganda Peoples Congress president, Olara Otunnu, and Justice Forum flag bearer Hussein Kyanjo, in a battle to lead the Inter-Party Co-operation, a loose coalition of five parties working to field a single candidate.
President Museveni, also chairman of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), has been endorsed by two top party organs. In September, the party National Delegates Conference is slated to endorse his candidature.
Others in the race are Democratic Party president general Norbert Mao, People’s Progressive party leader Jaberi Bidandi Ssali, People’s Development Party head, Abed Bwanika, United Uganda People’s Party leader Ali Mukungu, and Forum for Integrity in Leadership president, Emmanuel Tumusiime.
Mr Samuel Lubega, who considers himself leader of a faction of the Democratic Party, also plans to run
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
New rules to pick NRM candidates
The National Resistance Movement party delegates meeting at Namboole stadium has overwhelmingly resolved to adopt universal adult suffrage system as a basis of carrying out party primary elections.
The decision will see the party spend huge amounts of money in holding internal primaries, President Museveni admitted.
Fate of independents
It also means that candidates will now have to run to their constituents to seek endorsement as the party’s flag bearer unlike before when the system of electoral colleges dictated that designated delegates pick the party’s candidate.
The decision followed heated discussion on ways to avoid party members from standing as independent candidates if rigged out of primaries. At the 2006 general elections, hundreds of party faithful stood as independents claiming that the NRM primaries had been rigged.
The idea of universal adult suffrage was then mooted as a solution to the question of independents.
In closed discussions Mr Museveni is understood to have warned delegates of the consequences of the decision, and reportedly said the system of universal adult suffrage would cost at least Shs5.7 billion unlike the electoral colleges where Shs4 billion would be spent on elections.
Delegates also agreed that party candidates will hold joint campaigns instead of individual campaigns.
Account opened
Mr Museveni also announced that the party’s Central Executive Committee had resolved to open a joint party bank account where each member will voluntary contribute money to be used in organising the primaries.
Some amendments, which delegates were anxiously waiting for like a proposal to bar the party’s secretary general from occupying a ministerial position, did not surface. That idea had been proposed by Capt. Mike Mukula.
Party Secretary General, Amama Mbabazi explained that some amendments “arrived late” and could not get considered.
Rukungiri LC5 chairman Zedekia Katono Karokora had also proposed that officials tainted by corruption be barred from running for public office but his proposal did not also see the light of day.
Although the delegates overwhelmingly approved adult suffrage, they insisted that party presidential candidate, women MPs, workers, youth and persons with disabilities must get elected through electoral colleges.
Early this year, the party’s governing body, the National Executive Committee, proposed that all NRM flag bearers be elected under universal adult suffrage in a bid to reduce on vote buying which was common with the Electoral College elections previously used to elect the party flag bearers.
Also amended in the party constitution is a clause that says leaders who are elected to higher offices shall relinquish their lower office, except at the district level. The delegates also agreed to a proposal creating two regions; Kampala and Karamoja.
“Some people say that Karamoja is the north while others say that is in the east,” Mr Museveni said before moving a motion to create the two regions. “But Karamoja is a unique region with unique problems different from those of north and east.”
Proposal rejected
The delegates, however, rejected a proposal to allow the delegates conference sit once in five years instead of twice. The delegates also agreed to expand the party’s National Executive Committee and the National Conference to include East African MPs.
The district executive committees were also expanded to include Women MPs, mayors and district chairmen as ex-officials. Mr Museveni warned individuals against promoting sectarianism in the party, arguing that this practice was likely to affect the unity of the country.
“NRM is not like other parties…ours is sacrifice and our unity is in blood,” he said
The decision will see the party spend huge amounts of money in holding internal primaries, President Museveni admitted.
Fate of independents
It also means that candidates will now have to run to their constituents to seek endorsement as the party’s flag bearer unlike before when the system of electoral colleges dictated that designated delegates pick the party’s candidate.
The decision followed heated discussion on ways to avoid party members from standing as independent candidates if rigged out of primaries. At the 2006 general elections, hundreds of party faithful stood as independents claiming that the NRM primaries had been rigged.
The idea of universal adult suffrage was then mooted as a solution to the question of independents.
In closed discussions Mr Museveni is understood to have warned delegates of the consequences of the decision, and reportedly said the system of universal adult suffrage would cost at least Shs5.7 billion unlike the electoral colleges where Shs4 billion would be spent on elections.
Delegates also agreed that party candidates will hold joint campaigns instead of individual campaigns.
Account opened
Mr Museveni also announced that the party’s Central Executive Committee had resolved to open a joint party bank account where each member will voluntary contribute money to be used in organising the primaries.
Some amendments, which delegates were anxiously waiting for like a proposal to bar the party’s secretary general from occupying a ministerial position, did not surface. That idea had been proposed by Capt. Mike Mukula.
Party Secretary General, Amama Mbabazi explained that some amendments “arrived late” and could not get considered.
Rukungiri LC5 chairman Zedekia Katono Karokora had also proposed that officials tainted by corruption be barred from running for public office but his proposal did not also see the light of day.
Although the delegates overwhelmingly approved adult suffrage, they insisted that party presidential candidate, women MPs, workers, youth and persons with disabilities must get elected through electoral colleges.
Early this year, the party’s governing body, the National Executive Committee, proposed that all NRM flag bearers be elected under universal adult suffrage in a bid to reduce on vote buying which was common with the Electoral College elections previously used to elect the party flag bearers.
Also amended in the party constitution is a clause that says leaders who are elected to higher offices shall relinquish their lower office, except at the district level. The delegates also agreed to a proposal creating two regions; Kampala and Karamoja.
“Some people say that Karamoja is the north while others say that is in the east,” Mr Museveni said before moving a motion to create the two regions. “But Karamoja is a unique region with unique problems different from those of north and east.”
Proposal rejected
The delegates, however, rejected a proposal to allow the delegates conference sit once in five years instead of twice. The delegates also agreed to expand the party’s National Executive Committee and the National Conference to include East African MPs.
The district executive committees were also expanded to include Women MPs, mayors and district chairmen as ex-officials. Mr Museveni warned individuals against promoting sectarianism in the party, arguing that this practice was likely to affect the unity of the country.
“NRM is not like other parties…ours is sacrifice and our unity is in blood,” he said
NRM names reconciliation team to sort party mess
The NRM party has named a five-man committee to spearhead national reconciliation of party members, it was announced yesterday.
The party has also introduced a new approach to fight the escalating graft in the country.
Mr Amama Mbabazi, the party’s secretary general, told the national delegates conference at Namboole that reconciliation of party members was essential ahead of the 2011 national elections following reports of intrigue, infighting and corruption by cadres.
“The internal squabbles which all of you know, have undermined cohesion of the party. You all know them and I can’t go into their details,” Mr Mbabazi said.
Presenting his report, Mr Mbabazi said: “I found out that members were concerned about internal squabbles which undermined cohesion in the party. I don’t want to name these members because you know all of them but we have formed a disciplinary committee as part of party response to this problem.”
NRM party members to assess Museveni
To address the challenges that have inundated the party since the country’s return to multiparty politics in 2005, Mr Mbabazi said the NRM has set up mechanisms including reconciliation.
He announced a reconciliation committee headed by former Prime Minister Kintu Musoke.
Other members are Rtd Col Chris Mudhola, Mr Francis Mwebesa, the Mbarara businessman, retired Bishop Geresom Ilukor from Teso and Hajat Anuna Umar from Arua. Their main task is to calm the feuding factions in the party.
Mr Mbabazi also said t the party’s senior leaders had taken a deliberate move to tackle corruption which he said had penetrated the party from grassroots. He said party cadres should engage in the war against graft by reporting such cases at the party’s district offices.
The idea to channel corruption cases to the district offices was given to him by party members when he toured the country, Mr Mbabazi said. “Our members are eager and ready to join the national chairpersons in fighting the vice,” he said
The party has also introduced a new approach to fight the escalating graft in the country.
Mr Amama Mbabazi, the party’s secretary general, told the national delegates conference at Namboole that reconciliation of party members was essential ahead of the 2011 national elections following reports of intrigue, infighting and corruption by cadres.
“The internal squabbles which all of you know, have undermined cohesion of the party. You all know them and I can’t go into their details,” Mr Mbabazi said.
Presenting his report, Mr Mbabazi said: “I found out that members were concerned about internal squabbles which undermined cohesion in the party. I don’t want to name these members because you know all of them but we have formed a disciplinary committee as part of party response to this problem.”
NRM party members to assess Museveni
To address the challenges that have inundated the party since the country’s return to multiparty politics in 2005, Mr Mbabazi said the NRM has set up mechanisms including reconciliation.
He announced a reconciliation committee headed by former Prime Minister Kintu Musoke.
Other members are Rtd Col Chris Mudhola, Mr Francis Mwebesa, the Mbarara businessman, retired Bishop Geresom Ilukor from Teso and Hajat Anuna Umar from Arua. Their main task is to calm the feuding factions in the party.
Mr Mbabazi also said t the party’s senior leaders had taken a deliberate move to tackle corruption which he said had penetrated the party from grassroots. He said party cadres should engage in the war against graft by reporting such cases at the party’s district offices.
The idea to channel corruption cases to the district offices was given to him by party members when he toured the country, Mr Mbabazi said. “Our members are eager and ready to join the national chairpersons in fighting the vice,” he said
Mukula moves to Kick out Mbabazi
At least 8,000 NRM delegates are converging at Namboole Stadium today to discuss key party constitution amendments. Among them is a proposal by party vice chairman for eastern Uganda, Capt. Mike Mukula, intended to bar party secretary general, Mr Amama Mbabazi, from holding any other government position.
Mr Mukula told Saturday Monitor yesterday that it was a big mistake to allow a party secretary general and his deputy to take over ministerial positions because the individuals are too busy and this has paralysed party activities. Capt. Mukula noted that there are rifts within the party and many of its organs are dysfunctional because the two officials charged with running party activities are always unavailable to offer guidance and direction. This, according to Mukula, has turned the party into an exclusive organisation easily reached by a certain club of members.
Mbabazi in fire line
“I’m now moving an amendment to our constitution (NRM party) to stop this,” Capt. Mukula said, adding, “I would like to see a party where a secretary general and his deputy are not ministers. This should also apply to the party treasury general and his deputy.”
He pointed out the party’s youth league, the women’s league, the entrepreneurs’ league and the veterans league as some of the structures that have remained unproductive to the extent of not holding any meeting for the past five years. He said: “I am doing this because I want to see the party improve on its structures. This will allow key members of the party to put their strength and energies in building the party.”
The party secretary general, Mr Amama Mbabazi, has come under criticism from the Young Turks of the NRM, among them Henry Banyezaki, Theodore Ssekikubo and Wilfred Niwagaba. They accuse Mr Mbabazi of being inaccessible and of killing the party through inaction. It is in this context that many NRM power brokers have been looking for an opportunity to remove him from the position of Secretary General.
These law makers have also argued that Mr Mbabazi must be relieved of some of his government duties which, according to the law makers, have kept him more occupied. “You cannot be a member of Parliament, a secretary general and a minister of security,” Capt. Mukula said, adding, “You can’t be a master of all. We need to make the party more vibrant because to me, a party is a central organ and a lifeline of the government.” If Capt. Mukula’s proposal gets the backing of the majority at the national conference, this will set the ground for highly contested elections for the party’s most influential position.
The Vice President, Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, and Trade and Industry Minister Kahinda Otafiire have already expressed interest in the post. Prof. Bukenya told this newspaper in an exclusive interview to be published in Sunday monitor tomorrow, that Mr Mbabazi was a good lawyer who should be deployed in the Attorney General’s office and leave the work of mobilisation to other cadres.
Capt. Mukula further said; “The party needs to come up with a much broader agenda of internal reforms in order to be able to confront present and future challenge.” “I want to see a much stronger secretariat set up with a strong institutional frame work. To increase the momentum of the party, the secretary general and his deputy must commit all their time to mobilisation and training of new and old members of the party.”
Rwemiyaga County MP Theodore Ssekikubo, who is also vying for party secretary general position, said there is limited interface between the party headquarters and the districts and sub-counties. Mr Banyezaki (Rubanda west) said he supports Capt. Mukula and that he would ensure that this proposal goes through.
“The moment you allow the secretary general to work as a minister in government, then just know that you are creating confusion. He [Mbabazi] has affected activities of the party because he is always busy,” Mr Banyezaki said. But Presidential Political Assistant Moses Byaruhanga said Capt. Mukula’s proposal falls short of addressing the bigger problem affecting the party- lack of finance.
“Most of the party structures like the women’s’ league, the youth league and the veterans’ league have not met because the party lacks finances to facilitate them, and not because the secretary general is weak. Raising finance is not a responsibility of the secretary general but a responsibility of all members of the party,” Mr Byaruhanga said yesterday.
Capt. Mukula also said he will support a new proposal by Rukungiri District Chairman Zedekia Karokora, that seeks to bar party members found guilty of corruption and electoral malpractices from vying for party positions.
More proposals
Mr Karokora told Saturday Monitor that he has already tabled his proposal to key party organs, including the legal committee and was optimistic his initiation would be embraced by the delegates today.
The NRM National Conference has been convened to discuss key party issue among which is the proposed universal adult suffrage elections for primaries for those intending to seek candidature from LC1 to Parliament. This proposal was passed by the party National Executive Committee early this year.
President Museveni is expected to brief the delegates on what has happened since the last national delegates’ conference in October 2005, where the delegates elected the presidential candidate for the 2006 elections, adopted the NRM manifesto and elected the current office-bearers.
The national conference consists of the national chairperson, the vice-chairpersons, NRM MPs, all people who stood as MPs on the NRM ticket but lost, NRM sub-county chairpersons, NRM LC3 chairpersons, and NRM LC5 councillors, among others
Mr Mukula told Saturday Monitor yesterday that it was a big mistake to allow a party secretary general and his deputy to take over ministerial positions because the individuals are too busy and this has paralysed party activities. Capt. Mukula noted that there are rifts within the party and many of its organs are dysfunctional because the two officials charged with running party activities are always unavailable to offer guidance and direction. This, according to Mukula, has turned the party into an exclusive organisation easily reached by a certain club of members.
Mbabazi in fire line
“I’m now moving an amendment to our constitution (NRM party) to stop this,” Capt. Mukula said, adding, “I would like to see a party where a secretary general and his deputy are not ministers. This should also apply to the party treasury general and his deputy.”
He pointed out the party’s youth league, the women’s league, the entrepreneurs’ league and the veterans league as some of the structures that have remained unproductive to the extent of not holding any meeting for the past five years. He said: “I am doing this because I want to see the party improve on its structures. This will allow key members of the party to put their strength and energies in building the party.”
The party secretary general, Mr Amama Mbabazi, has come under criticism from the Young Turks of the NRM, among them Henry Banyezaki, Theodore Ssekikubo and Wilfred Niwagaba. They accuse Mr Mbabazi of being inaccessible and of killing the party through inaction. It is in this context that many NRM power brokers have been looking for an opportunity to remove him from the position of Secretary General.
These law makers have also argued that Mr Mbabazi must be relieved of some of his government duties which, according to the law makers, have kept him more occupied. “You cannot be a member of Parliament, a secretary general and a minister of security,” Capt. Mukula said, adding, “You can’t be a master of all. We need to make the party more vibrant because to me, a party is a central organ and a lifeline of the government.” If Capt. Mukula’s proposal gets the backing of the majority at the national conference, this will set the ground for highly contested elections for the party’s most influential position.
The Vice President, Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, and Trade and Industry Minister Kahinda Otafiire have already expressed interest in the post. Prof. Bukenya told this newspaper in an exclusive interview to be published in Sunday monitor tomorrow, that Mr Mbabazi was a good lawyer who should be deployed in the Attorney General’s office and leave the work of mobilisation to other cadres.
Capt. Mukula further said; “The party needs to come up with a much broader agenda of internal reforms in order to be able to confront present and future challenge.” “I want to see a much stronger secretariat set up with a strong institutional frame work. To increase the momentum of the party, the secretary general and his deputy must commit all their time to mobilisation and training of new and old members of the party.”
Rwemiyaga County MP Theodore Ssekikubo, who is also vying for party secretary general position, said there is limited interface between the party headquarters and the districts and sub-counties. Mr Banyezaki (Rubanda west) said he supports Capt. Mukula and that he would ensure that this proposal goes through.
“The moment you allow the secretary general to work as a minister in government, then just know that you are creating confusion. He [Mbabazi] has affected activities of the party because he is always busy,” Mr Banyezaki said. But Presidential Political Assistant Moses Byaruhanga said Capt. Mukula’s proposal falls short of addressing the bigger problem affecting the party- lack of finance.
“Most of the party structures like the women’s’ league, the youth league and the veterans’ league have not met because the party lacks finances to facilitate them, and not because the secretary general is weak. Raising finance is not a responsibility of the secretary general but a responsibility of all members of the party,” Mr Byaruhanga said yesterday.
Capt. Mukula also said he will support a new proposal by Rukungiri District Chairman Zedekia Karokora, that seeks to bar party members found guilty of corruption and electoral malpractices from vying for party positions.
More proposals
Mr Karokora told Saturday Monitor that he has already tabled his proposal to key party organs, including the legal committee and was optimistic his initiation would be embraced by the delegates today.
The NRM National Conference has been convened to discuss key party issue among which is the proposed universal adult suffrage elections for primaries for those intending to seek candidature from LC1 to Parliament. This proposal was passed by the party National Executive Committee early this year.
President Museveni is expected to brief the delegates on what has happened since the last national delegates’ conference in October 2005, where the delegates elected the presidential candidate for the 2006 elections, adopted the NRM manifesto and elected the current office-bearers.
The national conference consists of the national chairperson, the vice-chairpersons, NRM MPs, all people who stood as MPs on the NRM ticket but lost, NRM sub-county chairpersons, NRM LC3 chairpersons, and NRM LC5 councillors, among others
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Opposition tell off Gen. Aronda on demos
Opposition politicians have reacted furiously to the remarks made by the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, on Tuesday that the army will crush their demonstrators if they do not desist from using violence in settling their political disagreements.
The Forum for Democratic Change Secretary for defence and security, Maj. John Kazoora, said the general’s remarks show how power has corrupted his intelligence and thoughts.
“The problem of the likes of Gen. Aronda is that power has corrupted their heads to an extent that they have stopped reasoning,” Maj. Kazoora said. “We shall not be intimidated by such statements. We tried dialogue, it failed and we opted for demonstrations because we were being pushed to the wall.”
Mr Reagan Okumu, FDC presidential envoy for campaigns and planning, described Gen. Aronda’s statements as unprofessional, partisan and empty. “It is just an act of indiscipline,” Mr Okumu said. “He knows very well that he is not supposed to engage in partisan politics but he has chosen to remain arrogant. We reject his comments and we demand an apology from him. Let him retire from the army so that he can wear NRM combat and confront us.”
Gen. Aronda told journalists during a ceremony to send-off State Minister for Defence, Jeje Odongo, who retired from the army at the rank of General, that opposition politicians who use violence to solve political differences will be confronted with full military force if the police call for the army’s reinforcement.
“I assure this country that we are ready to support the police in case of violence and we will do it in a very serious way.” Gen. Aronda said. The Interparty Cooperation, a loose coalition of five opposition parties, has resolved to stage nationwide protest against Electoral Commission bosses who were reappointed last year despite widespread irregularities in the 2006 election which they oversaw. The Supreme Court ruled in 2006 that the current EC was incompetent to preside over the country’s general elections.
Partisan?
IPC spokesman, Mr Ssemuju Ibrahim Nganda, told Daily Monitor yesterday that Gen, Aronda’s remarks were a sign of how President Museveni has entrenched the national army into his political party, the NRM.
“The problem with Gen. Aronda is that he is not an army commander because of his military and professional background but because of the current system. He therefore feels obliged to defend all the wrongs the system has done,” Mr Ssemuju said.
“He should know that he is not serving an individual or a party but the whole country. If he wants to crush the opposition let him crush us but he should know that one day, he will be held accountable.”
The Forum for Democratic Change Secretary for defence and security, Maj. John Kazoora, said the general’s remarks show how power has corrupted his intelligence and thoughts.
“The problem of the likes of Gen. Aronda is that power has corrupted their heads to an extent that they have stopped reasoning,” Maj. Kazoora said. “We shall not be intimidated by such statements. We tried dialogue, it failed and we opted for demonstrations because we were being pushed to the wall.”
Mr Reagan Okumu, FDC presidential envoy for campaigns and planning, described Gen. Aronda’s statements as unprofessional, partisan and empty. “It is just an act of indiscipline,” Mr Okumu said. “He knows very well that he is not supposed to engage in partisan politics but he has chosen to remain arrogant. We reject his comments and we demand an apology from him. Let him retire from the army so that he can wear NRM combat and confront us.”
Gen. Aronda told journalists during a ceremony to send-off State Minister for Defence, Jeje Odongo, who retired from the army at the rank of General, that opposition politicians who use violence to solve political differences will be confronted with full military force if the police call for the army’s reinforcement.
“I assure this country that we are ready to support the police in case of violence and we will do it in a very serious way.” Gen. Aronda said. The Interparty Cooperation, a loose coalition of five opposition parties, has resolved to stage nationwide protest against Electoral Commission bosses who were reappointed last year despite widespread irregularities in the 2006 election which they oversaw. The Supreme Court ruled in 2006 that the current EC was incompetent to preside over the country’s general elections.
Partisan?
IPC spokesman, Mr Ssemuju Ibrahim Nganda, told Daily Monitor yesterday that Gen, Aronda’s remarks were a sign of how President Museveni has entrenched the national army into his political party, the NRM.
“The problem with Gen. Aronda is that he is not an army commander because of his military and professional background but because of the current system. He therefore feels obliged to defend all the wrongs the system has done,” Mr Ssemuju said.
“He should know that he is not serving an individual or a party but the whole country. If he wants to crush the opposition let him crush us but he should know that one day, he will be held accountable.”
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Police forced pepper spray in my mouth, says Turinawe
A senior police officer has been accused of stuffing the mouth of an opposition women’s leader with pepper spray as the Force broke up yet another anti-Electoral Commission protest.
Ms Ingrid Turinawe, the chairperson of the Forum for Democratic Change’s women’s league told journalists yesterday from Nsambya Hospital that Kampala South Metropolitan Police Commander, Moses Kafeero, forced the contents of a full canister of pepper spray down her throat.
Doctors in Nsambya Hospital were still treating Ms Turinawe who was reportedly placed on oxygen support for about 12 hours after she developed respiratory and abdominal difficulties.
The Metropolitan police chief found himself in the spotlight after riot police stopped opposition supporters from staging an impromptu demonstration against the Electoral Commission. His actions, Ms Turinawe says, would seem to have been deliberate. She said Mr Kafeero forced her mouth open before directing a blast of pepper spray into her mouth, a charge that the police officer has denied.
“He (Kafeero) called me outside and I followed him. He pulled out [pepper] spray and forced it into my mouth. I tried to run but failed. He even destroyed my clothes. I have been on oxygen since yesterday. The man almost killed me,” Ms Turinawe said from her hospital bed.
Although Mr Kafeero admitted using pepper spray against the demonstrating women, he denied targeting Ms Turinawe. “That is false. We used pepper spray but we did not target any individual,” Mr Kafeero said. “We used teargas on all those women who were beating police officers. Ingrid cannot say the truth because she always exaggerates things,”
Anti-EC
The opposition, mainly organised around the Inter-Party Cooperation (IPC) umbrella, have demanded the disbanding of the electoral body on the grounds that it is in bed with the ruling National Resistance Movement leadership and thus cannot preside over free and fair elections in 2011.
The government has so far refused to budge, with President Museveni insisting that the EC as presently constituted is competent to organise the polls. Two women, Ms Asala Night and Aidah Namukwaya were arrested during the protest. They were later charged in Buganda Road Court and given a non-cash bail of Shs10 million each after two charges of holding unlawful assembly and assaulting police officers were preferred against them. They denied the charges
Ms Ingrid Turinawe, the chairperson of the Forum for Democratic Change’s women’s league told journalists yesterday from Nsambya Hospital that Kampala South Metropolitan Police Commander, Moses Kafeero, forced the contents of a full canister of pepper spray down her throat.
Doctors in Nsambya Hospital were still treating Ms Turinawe who was reportedly placed on oxygen support for about 12 hours after she developed respiratory and abdominal difficulties.
The Metropolitan police chief found himself in the spotlight after riot police stopped opposition supporters from staging an impromptu demonstration against the Electoral Commission. His actions, Ms Turinawe says, would seem to have been deliberate. She said Mr Kafeero forced her mouth open before directing a blast of pepper spray into her mouth, a charge that the police officer has denied.
“He (Kafeero) called me outside and I followed him. He pulled out [pepper] spray and forced it into my mouth. I tried to run but failed. He even destroyed my clothes. I have been on oxygen since yesterday. The man almost killed me,” Ms Turinawe said from her hospital bed.
Although Mr Kafeero admitted using pepper spray against the demonstrating women, he denied targeting Ms Turinawe. “That is false. We used pepper spray but we did not target any individual,” Mr Kafeero said. “We used teargas on all those women who were beating police officers. Ingrid cannot say the truth because she always exaggerates things,”
Anti-EC
The opposition, mainly organised around the Inter-Party Cooperation (IPC) umbrella, have demanded the disbanding of the electoral body on the grounds that it is in bed with the ruling National Resistance Movement leadership and thus cannot preside over free and fair elections in 2011.
The government has so far refused to budge, with President Museveni insisting that the EC as presently constituted is competent to organise the polls. Two women, Ms Asala Night and Aidah Namukwaya were arrested during the protest. They were later charged in Buganda Road Court and given a non-cash bail of Shs10 million each after two charges of holding unlawful assembly and assaulting police officers were preferred against them. They denied the charges
IPC women clash with police in anti EC demo
Police deployed heavily yesterday and succeeded in blocking yet another opposition demonstration against the Electoral Commission. The demonstration was organised by women opposition members under the Interparty Cooperation (IPC), following two botched protests last week.
FDC Women’s League Chairperson Ingrid Turinawe, who commanded the group of women who had planned to march to the EC office to demand for the resignation of commission chairman Badru Kiggundu and his fellow commissioners, was reportedly beaten up in the ensuing fracas. “What type of police is this?” asked FDC spokesperson Wafula Oguttu, as Ms Turinawe was loaded onto an ambulance. “They almost killed her. Why did they have to act like this against a woman?” he asked.
Several IPC women league members claimed they saw police forcefully spraying teargas into Ms Turinawe’s mouth, but police spokesperson, Judith Nabakooba denied the charge. Ms Nabakooba accused the IPC women of assaulting eight police officers including Assistant Commissioner of Police Grace Akulu whom she said was beaten by a “muscular black IPC woman” as she tried to arrest her.
Ms Turinawe and Catherine Ddembe, both members of FDC National Executive Committee, were rushed to IHN Medical Centre in Kampala but were later transferred to Nsambya Hospital. “For Ingrid, she was brought here when she was unconscious,” Dr Barbara Alumba, a medical officer at IHN, said. “We have given her first aid and sent her to Nsambya Hospital because we do not know the type of teargas used against her.”]
Previous battles
Yesterday’s fracas comes on the heels of recent street battles between the opposition and security operatives. FDC leader Kizza Besigye and other opposition leaders were victims of stick wielding men in plain clothes, commonly known as the Kiboko squad, who flogged them as the police stood on watch. The police insist it is not aware of the squad.
The squad was not seen at yesterday’s fracas that mainly played out at the Central Police Station and Buganda Road Court. The women had turned up at Buganda Road Court for the hearing of a case where they are accused of holding an unlawful assembly when they stormed EC offices on January 18.
State Prosecutor Stephen Asaba informed court that he could not go ahead with the case as he was still gathering witnesses, forcing court to adjourn the matter to July 29.
After the court session, the women then unleashed placards protesting Eng. Kiggundu’s leadership. A scuffle ensued, as female police officers moved to block the planned march. And when the group seemed to over power the officers, anti-riot police operatives fired teargas canisters to disperse them.
Deputy Director in-charge of operations Grace Turyagumanawe said charges of assault, holding an illegal rally and contempt of court would be preferred by the force against the women
FDC Women’s League Chairperson Ingrid Turinawe, who commanded the group of women who had planned to march to the EC office to demand for the resignation of commission chairman Badru Kiggundu and his fellow commissioners, was reportedly beaten up in the ensuing fracas. “What type of police is this?” asked FDC spokesperson Wafula Oguttu, as Ms Turinawe was loaded onto an ambulance. “They almost killed her. Why did they have to act like this against a woman?” he asked.
Several IPC women league members claimed they saw police forcefully spraying teargas into Ms Turinawe’s mouth, but police spokesperson, Judith Nabakooba denied the charge. Ms Nabakooba accused the IPC women of assaulting eight police officers including Assistant Commissioner of Police Grace Akulu whom she said was beaten by a “muscular black IPC woman” as she tried to arrest her.
Ms Turinawe and Catherine Ddembe, both members of FDC National Executive Committee, were rushed to IHN Medical Centre in Kampala but were later transferred to Nsambya Hospital. “For Ingrid, she was brought here when she was unconscious,” Dr Barbara Alumba, a medical officer at IHN, said. “We have given her first aid and sent her to Nsambya Hospital because we do not know the type of teargas used against her.”]
Previous battles
Yesterday’s fracas comes on the heels of recent street battles between the opposition and security operatives. FDC leader Kizza Besigye and other opposition leaders were victims of stick wielding men in plain clothes, commonly known as the Kiboko squad, who flogged them as the police stood on watch. The police insist it is not aware of the squad.
The squad was not seen at yesterday’s fracas that mainly played out at the Central Police Station and Buganda Road Court. The women had turned up at Buganda Road Court for the hearing of a case where they are accused of holding an unlawful assembly when they stormed EC offices on January 18.
State Prosecutor Stephen Asaba informed court that he could not go ahead with the case as he was still gathering witnesses, forcing court to adjourn the matter to July 29.
After the court session, the women then unleashed placards protesting Eng. Kiggundu’s leadership. A scuffle ensued, as female police officers moved to block the planned march. And when the group seemed to over power the officers, anti-riot police operatives fired teargas canisters to disperse them.
Deputy Director in-charge of operations Grace Turyagumanawe said charges of assault, holding an illegal rally and contempt of court would be preferred by the force against the women
Mao fires fresh attack on FDC
The Inter-party Cooperation (IPC) is a political platform only meant to benefit the Forum for Democratic Change, the Democratic Party president, Mr Norbert Mao, has said. Addressing a rally in Kampala on Saturday, Mr Mao said joining the IPC is a diversionary strategy that only helps FDC to widen its political base at the expense of other political parties.
Like Museveni?
“We know that FDC wants to build its political support using other parties. This is exactly what President Museveni did when he created the Movement system in 1986 because his party [NRM] had no support,” Mr Mao said. “They should not force us to love them, as we resolved not to join NRM, we shall not join IPC”.
The IPC is a loose coalition of five opposition political parties planning to field a single presidential candidate next year. The group, which comprises the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), the Conservative Party, the Social Democratic Party and JEEMA, is set to pick a join flag-bearer on June 30.
Clauses questioned
Mr Mao said the IPC should present its proposal to Ugandans instead of concentrating on making outrageous attacks against DP. He said his party is also uncomfortable with some clauses of the IPC protocol which indirectly suspend use of other party symbols and colours until 2016. “Whatever they do or say will not divert us. We are still firm and ready to proceed. We can’t walk out of NRM and join another ‘movement system,” he said. “Uganda needs a fresh start with a civilian leadership”.
Whereas the IPC’s thinking is that a united opposition offers the best option to unseat President Museveni and his ruling NRM party, the DP insists several opposing fronts will weaken the current regime best. The DP, however, has offered to field joint candidates with other opposition parties at the local council and parliamentary levels.
Reacting to Mr Mao’s latest criticism, the FDC spokesperson, Mr Wafula Oguttu, said the IPC was treating every party member equally and with equal representation at the steering committee. He said joint candidates who will be elected through IPC primaries will use their respective political parties’ colours and symbols.
“What he is saying is dishonest. Mao is a lawyer who understands everything in the protocol. He is lying to himself, party and Ugandans,” Mr Wafula said. “Even at the level of voting, the IPC flag bearer, each party will have 50 people and their national chairman.”
Last week, the DP National Council rejected calls by other opposition parties that it joins the IPC, saying a single opposition candidate against an incumbent can easily be defeated. The DP National Chairman, Mr Baswale Kezaala, said the national council adopted the decision that had earlier been taken by the National Executive Committee to work with the IPC at parliamentary and local council elections.
Kezaala speaks
“The delegates insist that we [NEC] craft a way of working with IPC at all other levels but not at the presidential platform. Unlike the parliamentary and local council elections where the winner needs majority support, the presidential victory require a fixed 51 per cent which an incumbent can easily attain with a single opponent,” Mr Kezaala said. “There is also a possibility of disqualifying a sole opposition candidate basing on trumped up charges by the state.”
Recently, Mr Oguttu said DP’s proposal of partial cooperation was not applicable since the IPC protocol binds all members to specific rules and guidelines
Like Museveni?
“We know that FDC wants to build its political support using other parties. This is exactly what President Museveni did when he created the Movement system in 1986 because his party [NRM] had no support,” Mr Mao said. “They should not force us to love them, as we resolved not to join NRM, we shall not join IPC”.
The IPC is a loose coalition of five opposition political parties planning to field a single presidential candidate next year. The group, which comprises the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), the Conservative Party, the Social Democratic Party and JEEMA, is set to pick a join flag-bearer on June 30.
Clauses questioned
Mr Mao said the IPC should present its proposal to Ugandans instead of concentrating on making outrageous attacks against DP. He said his party is also uncomfortable with some clauses of the IPC protocol which indirectly suspend use of other party symbols and colours until 2016. “Whatever they do or say will not divert us. We are still firm and ready to proceed. We can’t walk out of NRM and join another ‘movement system,” he said. “Uganda needs a fresh start with a civilian leadership”.
Whereas the IPC’s thinking is that a united opposition offers the best option to unseat President Museveni and his ruling NRM party, the DP insists several opposing fronts will weaken the current regime best. The DP, however, has offered to field joint candidates with other opposition parties at the local council and parliamentary levels.
Reacting to Mr Mao’s latest criticism, the FDC spokesperson, Mr Wafula Oguttu, said the IPC was treating every party member equally and with equal representation at the steering committee. He said joint candidates who will be elected through IPC primaries will use their respective political parties’ colours and symbols.
“What he is saying is dishonest. Mao is a lawyer who understands everything in the protocol. He is lying to himself, party and Ugandans,” Mr Wafula said. “Even at the level of voting, the IPC flag bearer, each party will have 50 people and their national chairman.”
Last week, the DP National Council rejected calls by other opposition parties that it joins the IPC, saying a single opposition candidate against an incumbent can easily be defeated. The DP National Chairman, Mr Baswale Kezaala, said the national council adopted the decision that had earlier been taken by the National Executive Committee to work with the IPC at parliamentary and local council elections.
Kezaala speaks
“The delegates insist that we [NEC] craft a way of working with IPC at all other levels but not at the presidential platform. Unlike the parliamentary and local council elections where the winner needs majority support, the presidential victory require a fixed 51 per cent which an incumbent can easily attain with a single opponent,” Mr Kezaala said. “There is also a possibility of disqualifying a sole opposition candidate basing on trumped up charges by the state.”
Recently, Mr Oguttu said DP’s proposal of partial cooperation was not applicable since the IPC protocol binds all members to specific rules and guidelines
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Police whips Uganda's opposition leader
Dr Kizza Besigye, the Forum for Democratic Change president, was yesterday flogged by policemen and members of the Kiboko Squad vigilante group as he led a demonstration against the Electoral Commission in Kampala.
The incident occurred at Clock Tower Playground where his supporters had gathered for a second rally after the first one failed when the police cordoned off the Railway ground where it was scheduled to take place.
At about 11 a.m. Dr Besigye arrived at the Clock Tower in the company of JEEMA party president Asuman Basalirwa and other FDC officials. He asked the police why they were blocking his rallies in Kampala.
Kampala Metropolitan Police Commander Andrew Sorowen and Mr Moses Kafero, the police commander in charge of Kampala South, who oversaw yesterday’s operation, told Dr Besigye that his rallies were being blocked because he never sought police permission.
For about 40 minutes, Dr Besigye and Mr Basalirwa kept up a bitter exchange of words with the police. A short distance away, were Kiboko elements locked in running battles with opposition supporters along Entebbe highway, paralysing traffic.
As the commotion unfolded, JEEMA’s Secretary for Youth, Fred Kasaijja, who was carrying about 10 anti-EC posters, caught police off-guard and jumped over a nearby short wire fence, running towards Dr Besigye. About 30 police officers armed with AK-47 rifles and backed by a posse of Kiboko men pursued him.
Within seconds, Mr Kasaijja had wrapped himself around Dr Besigye. The pursuing police and Kiboko group then set upon the two.
They unsuccessfully tried to pull Mr Kasaijja from Dr Besigye’s embrace before resorting to clubbing him. Dr Besigye says he took blows to the hip, shoulders and chest.
It took about five minutes for FDC youth league members; Michael Kabaziguruka, Francis Mwijukye, Frank Atukunda and Sam Mugumya to rescue Dr Besigye. He would later say that Inspector General of Police, Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura, issued the order for him to beaten.
“Beating me means nothing because I am ready to die if that is the only way of saving this country,” Dr Besigye said. “We shall die rather than live under a terrorist regime.”
Anticipating more chaos, the FDC leader, in the company of his supporters left Clock Tower and marched through Kibuye to a playground in Katwe-Kisuule Zone. Here, a mammoth crowd gathered to listen to him but before he could start speaking, three police patrol trucks carrying anti-riot police arrived, dispersing his supporters.
They were immediately reinforced by four police motorcycles carrying armed personnel. As the crowd dispersed, Dr Besigye demanded for a microphone and went ahead with his speech as some supporters who had ducked into the nearby small houses of Katwe could be heard cheering him on.
Dr Besigye then drove towards Parliament where he was scheduled to address a press conference but was stopped from accessing the venue by the police who said they could not allow him in as they were not informed of his visit.
At Parliament, Dr Besigye said the Inter-Party Cooperation, a grouping of five opposition parties, will not take part in the 2011 elections unless Dr Badru Kiggundu’s-led EC is disbanded to give way for an independent commission.
“Any blood that shall be shed in an attempt to dislodge the Electoral Commission is blood on the hands of Kiggundu and his team. They have the court judgement that clearly shows that they are incapable. They should question their own mind and values,” he said. “We shall continue to reject them until Ugandans regain power to take charge of the leadership of their country.”
Police spokeswoman Judith Nabakooba said the Force would investigate officers who were deployed at Clock Tower to establish why they beat Dr Besigye.
“It’s hard for me to say anything now because we are hearing many stories about what happened,” Ms Nabakooba said. “We shall investigate officers who were deployed in the area to find out if they beat him or not.”
Nationwide protest
Yesterday’s demonstration follows a decision by the IPC last week to stage nationwide protests against the embattled electoral commissioners who were reappointed last year despite widespread irregularities in the 2006 election which they oversaw.
The IPC vehemently rejected their reappointment. The Supreme Court ruled in 2006 that the current EC was incompetent to preside over the country’s general elections.
Ex-Katikkiros join Opposition
Two former Buganda Kingdom prime ministers (Katikkiros) have joined the Opposition coalition, the Interparty Cooperation. Mr Joseph Mulwanyamuli Ssemwogerere and Mr Dan Muliika yesterday announced that they had taken “a well-informed judgment” to join FDC president Kizza Besigye in a nationwide campaign “to help Ugandans take charge of the governance of their country”.
The two officials made the announcement at the launch of Dr Besigye’s mobilisation campaign for Buganda region at Pope Paul IV Memorial Centre in Kampala. “It’s not a decision that I have come to lightly or without massive soul searching,” Mr Ssemwogerere said.
“I have quietly travelled widely across Buganda and Uganda. I have sounded out peers and opinion leaders from various native nationalities and across the spectrum of religious and political belief,” said Mr Ssemwogerere, who was Buganda’s Katikkiro from 1994 to 2006. “Everything I have seen and heard; all the materials I have read have compelled me to take a step forward; to stand up and be counted because Uganda is in need of positive and constructive change,” he added.
Mr Muliika, who succeeded Mr Ssemwogerere as Buganda Premier in 2006 and served for 11 months, said he took a decision to join the IPC in order to help the oppressed people of Uganda set up a new democratic system of governance. The IPC is a loose coalition of five opposition political parties fighting to overthrow President Museveni’s government.
Mr Ssemwogerere, who is credited for steering Buganda Kingdom right from its restoration and rebuilding its structures and image without a whiff of internal controversy, told the gathering that included UPC Secretary General Fred Bossa and JEEMA’s presidential candidate, Hussein Kyanjo that time to change the country’s top leadership has come. He added that change cannot come if all the enlightened individuals in the country remain on the sidelines.
Do our part
“We have to engage in the struggle to bring change in this country. All of us have to do our part and I have decided today to come up and do mine,” he said. Mr Ssemwogerere said he had already tendered in his resignation from his position as special adviser to the Kabaka in order to take part in active politics and that the Kabaka had given him the nod.
He pointed out poverty, corruption, poor infrastructure, declining education standards, lack of drugs in hospitals and inequitable resource distribution as some of the reasons that have compelled him to oppose President Museveni’s government.
“Is Uganda a country in which all of us, our children and many generations to come live and will live in freedom and harmony?” he asked an ecstatic crowd, who retorted with a ‘No’ response.
The two officials made it clear that their first victim will be Dr Badru Kiggundu’s-led Electoral Commission which they accused of incompetence and rigging in favour of the ruling party-NRM. They advised Ugandans to go and register to qualify as voters in the next elections.
Rescue power
“We must fight to return power back to the people and establish our own system of governance that has the mandate of all people,” Mr Muliika said. “I request the IPC to sit and write a manifesto which we shall all support. We have been changing governments through guns and stolen votes but it’s time to do it through democratic means.”
While Katikkiro, Mr Muliika in 2006 invited Dr Besigye to Bulange, Mengo, to pay homage to the kingdom officials and enlist their support. During the event, Lt. Ramathan Magara, a security operative, shot into a crowd of Dr Besigye’s supporters, killing two and permanently maiming a third. He was sentenced to a 14-year jail term by the High Court.
At yesterday’s event, Dr Besigye sought to resurrect the Bulange tragedy. He described Mr Ssemwogerere as a “good friend” and Muliika as “a fellow witness in the 2006 fatal Bulange shooting” and thanked the two gentlemen for joining the struggle. He promised to grant federal to all regions of Uganda and also return the Buganda property if elected into power in 2011.
“I wish on behalf of the FDC and IPC to unequivocally pledge to pay all the outstanding debts owed to the kingdom,” Dr Besigye said. “I will re-open CBS and pay appropriate compensation for illegal closure by the government and ensure that the Kabaka enjoys unfettered freedom to move within his kingdom.” The FDC leader, however, explained that his pledge does not
The two officials made the announcement at the launch of Dr Besigye’s mobilisation campaign for Buganda region at Pope Paul IV Memorial Centre in Kampala. “It’s not a decision that I have come to lightly or without massive soul searching,” Mr Ssemwogerere said.
“I have quietly travelled widely across Buganda and Uganda. I have sounded out peers and opinion leaders from various native nationalities and across the spectrum of religious and political belief,” said Mr Ssemwogerere, who was Buganda’s Katikkiro from 1994 to 2006. “Everything I have seen and heard; all the materials I have read have compelled me to take a step forward; to stand up and be counted because Uganda is in need of positive and constructive change,” he added.
Mr Muliika, who succeeded Mr Ssemwogerere as Buganda Premier in 2006 and served for 11 months, said he took a decision to join the IPC in order to help the oppressed people of Uganda set up a new democratic system of governance. The IPC is a loose coalition of five opposition political parties fighting to overthrow President Museveni’s government.
Mr Ssemwogerere, who is credited for steering Buganda Kingdom right from its restoration and rebuilding its structures and image without a whiff of internal controversy, told the gathering that included UPC Secretary General Fred Bossa and JEEMA’s presidential candidate, Hussein Kyanjo that time to change the country’s top leadership has come. He added that change cannot come if all the enlightened individuals in the country remain on the sidelines.
Do our part
“We have to engage in the struggle to bring change in this country. All of us have to do our part and I have decided today to come up and do mine,” he said. Mr Ssemwogerere said he had already tendered in his resignation from his position as special adviser to the Kabaka in order to take part in active politics and that the Kabaka had given him the nod.
He pointed out poverty, corruption, poor infrastructure, declining education standards, lack of drugs in hospitals and inequitable resource distribution as some of the reasons that have compelled him to oppose President Museveni’s government.
“Is Uganda a country in which all of us, our children and many generations to come live and will live in freedom and harmony?” he asked an ecstatic crowd, who retorted with a ‘No’ response.
The two officials made it clear that their first victim will be Dr Badru Kiggundu’s-led Electoral Commission which they accused of incompetence and rigging in favour of the ruling party-NRM. They advised Ugandans to go and register to qualify as voters in the next elections.
Rescue power
“We must fight to return power back to the people and establish our own system of governance that has the mandate of all people,” Mr Muliika said. “I request the IPC to sit and write a manifesto which we shall all support. We have been changing governments through guns and stolen votes but it’s time to do it through democratic means.”
While Katikkiro, Mr Muliika in 2006 invited Dr Besigye to Bulange, Mengo, to pay homage to the kingdom officials and enlist their support. During the event, Lt. Ramathan Magara, a security operative, shot into a crowd of Dr Besigye’s supporters, killing two and permanently maiming a third. He was sentenced to a 14-year jail term by the High Court.
At yesterday’s event, Dr Besigye sought to resurrect the Bulange tragedy. He described Mr Ssemwogerere as a “good friend” and Muliika as “a fellow witness in the 2006 fatal Bulange shooting” and thanked the two gentlemen for joining the struggle. He promised to grant federal to all regions of Uganda and also return the Buganda property if elected into power in 2011.
“I wish on behalf of the FDC and IPC to unequivocally pledge to pay all the outstanding debts owed to the kingdom,” Dr Besigye said. “I will re-open CBS and pay appropriate compensation for illegal closure by the government and ensure that the Kabaka enjoys unfettered freedom to move within his kingdom.” The FDC leader, however, explained that his pledge does not
Policeman kicks Monitor journalist
Police yesterday promised to take action against one of their members who attacked a Daily Monitor photographer as he took pictures of policemen and members of the Kiboko Squad beating up opposition supporters.
Mr Yusuf Muziransa was kicked by a police officer only identified as Mundu (No.11648) who complained that the photographer was taking pictures with the purpose of denting the Force’s image.
Police Deputy Director of Operations, Mr Grace Turyagumanawe said yesterday that the Force will ask Mr Mundu to explain what motivated him to go native.
“This is a matter that must be resolved,” Mr Turyagumanawe said. “If he did it, then he was wrong, and we shall expect him to explain his action. We respect the media and I want to assure you that this matter has been taken up by the police. We shall resolve it with the aggrieved party.”
The incident will again put the Force on the spot over brutality. The Force has in the past been condemned by the public, civil society groups and Parliament over excessive use of force against civilians.
Mr Muziranza was at the Clock Tower grounds covering a planned demonstration by members of the Inter Party Cooperation, that was dispersed by the police.
The attack
Mr Mundu, who was armed with an AK-47 rifle, kicked Mr Muziransa in the back, sending him to the ground. The photographer’s camera was also grabbed and smashed. He sustained bruises on his ankles.
“I was taking pictures and the police officer hit me,” Mr Muziransa said. “I did not abuse him but he was just not happy with me taking pictures at that particular moment. He has destroyed my camera.”
Ms Anne Abeja-Muhwezi, the company secretary of Monitor Publications, the publishers of Daily Monitor said the police officer who beat the photographer should account for his action.
“He should also be forced to pay for the camera he has destroyed,” Ms Muhwezi said
Ann Mugisha back from exile
Forum for Democratic Change’s (FDC) Anne Mugisha returned to Uganda on Friday after nine years of self-imposed exile in the United States of America.
Ms Mugisha, the party’s External Relations Coordinator, touched down at Entebbe Airport at around 8 15 p.m. aboard Kenya Airways.
She was welcomed by FDC chairman Sam Kalega Njuba, who described her return as a big moment for the Opposition in Uganda. After stepping on her native soil, Ms Mugisha urged Ugandans to go and register so as to qualify as voters in the 2011 general elections.
Ms Mugisha joined active opposition politics in November 2000 as a publicity secretary for the Elect Kizza Besigye Task Force, which was later transformed into Reform Agenda.
She told journalists at the airport that she decided to go into exile in 2000 after receiving constant harassment and threats from security operatives in the aftermath of the 2001 elections.
Ms Mugisha says after her escape, she stayed in South Africa for two years. Then in 2002, she flew to USA where she has been involved in various activities aimed at drawing international attention to what she called “democracy deficit” in Uganda.
“I have been in exile, but my heart was in Uganda. I have been mobilising all Ugandans in the Diaspora and I think I have completed my work. I have decided to come home and mobilise the grassroots against the repressive NRM government.”
Ms Mugisha says in the nine years she has been in exile, she has managed to build effective partnerships with the donor community, think-tanks and individual rights that will help to increase financial and material support for the Opposition in Uganda.
She advised the Democratic Party to join the Inter-Party Cooperation, a loose coalition of five opposition parties including UPC, FDC, JEEMA, CP and SDP, saying the IPC provides hope to millions of oppressed Ugandans who wish to change their deplorable conditions.
A former Reagan Fascell Fellow at the National Endowment for Democracy in Washington DC, Ms Mugisha, says since 2002 a lot of things have changed in Uganda’s political scene, and she attributes this to the work of Dr Besigye and the Reform Agenda group, which she credits for having opened a Pandora’s Box to multiparty democracy in the country
Ms Mugisha, the party’s External Relations Coordinator, touched down at Entebbe Airport at around 8 15 p.m. aboard Kenya Airways.
She was welcomed by FDC chairman Sam Kalega Njuba, who described her return as a big moment for the Opposition in Uganda. After stepping on her native soil, Ms Mugisha urged Ugandans to go and register so as to qualify as voters in the 2011 general elections.
Ms Mugisha joined active opposition politics in November 2000 as a publicity secretary for the Elect Kizza Besigye Task Force, which was later transformed into Reform Agenda.
She told journalists at the airport that she decided to go into exile in 2000 after receiving constant harassment and threats from security operatives in the aftermath of the 2001 elections.
Ms Mugisha says after her escape, she stayed in South Africa for two years. Then in 2002, she flew to USA where she has been involved in various activities aimed at drawing international attention to what she called “democracy deficit” in Uganda.
“I have been in exile, but my heart was in Uganda. I have been mobilising all Ugandans in the Diaspora and I think I have completed my work. I have decided to come home and mobilise the grassroots against the repressive NRM government.”
Ms Mugisha says in the nine years she has been in exile, she has managed to build effective partnerships with the donor community, think-tanks and individual rights that will help to increase financial and material support for the Opposition in Uganda.
She advised the Democratic Party to join the Inter-Party Cooperation, a loose coalition of five opposition parties including UPC, FDC, JEEMA, CP and SDP, saying the IPC provides hope to millions of oppressed Ugandans who wish to change their deplorable conditions.
A former Reagan Fascell Fellow at the National Endowment for Democracy in Washington DC, Ms Mugisha, says since 2002 a lot of things have changed in Uganda’s political scene, and she attributes this to the work of Dr Besigye and the Reform Agenda group, which she credits for having opened a Pandora’s Box to multiparty democracy in the country
Inter-Party Cooperation officials remanded
Five opposition party officials have been remanded to Luzira Prison over charges of holding an illegal society after the police foiled an anti-Electoral Commission protest in Kampala. Buganda Road Court remanded the personal assistant of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president, Mr Sam Mugumya and FDC deputy electoral commission chairman, Michael Kabaziguruka. Others are; Bob Kiryamuwezi, Aggrey Kiconco and Yasiin Kalemba.
The officials were arrested after they attempted to storm the Electoral Commission offices on Jinja Road on Tuesday, Kampala to demand for the resignation of its head, Eng. Badru Kiggundu and other seven commissioners.
The officials, most of them from the Inter-Party Cooperation, a loose coalition of the opposition, had planned to march the EC offices to deliver a petition in which they accuse Eng. Kiggundu and his commissioners of incompetence. Prosecution alleges that the group on Wednesday at City House in Kampala unlawfully moved along Kampala-Jinja Road thus causing unlawful society.
In anticipation of a possible chaos, the police sealed off Jinja Road with four vehicles of anti-riot police, blocking the youth from marching through the street. The youth then retreated to Dewinton Road from where five of them were arrested and taken to the Central Police Station.
Top IPC leadership last week resolved to stage nationwide protests against the electoral commissioners who were reappointed by President Museveni last year despite widespread irregularities in the 2006 election which they oversaw.
FDC lawyer Yusuf Nsibambi described the charges against the youth as “worthless”. “Who determines what is a lawful and an unlawful assembly?” Mr Nsibambi asked. “This is a law which stops people from participating in politics
The officials were arrested after they attempted to storm the Electoral Commission offices on Jinja Road on Tuesday, Kampala to demand for the resignation of its head, Eng. Badru Kiggundu and other seven commissioners.
The officials, most of them from the Inter-Party Cooperation, a loose coalition of the opposition, had planned to march the EC offices to deliver a petition in which they accuse Eng. Kiggundu and his commissioners of incompetence. Prosecution alleges that the group on Wednesday at City House in Kampala unlawfully moved along Kampala-Jinja Road thus causing unlawful society.
In anticipation of a possible chaos, the police sealed off Jinja Road with four vehicles of anti-riot police, blocking the youth from marching through the street. The youth then retreated to Dewinton Road from where five of them were arrested and taken to the Central Police Station.
Top IPC leadership last week resolved to stage nationwide protests against the electoral commissioners who were reappointed by President Museveni last year despite widespread irregularities in the 2006 election which they oversaw.
FDC lawyer Yusuf Nsibambi described the charges against the youth as “worthless”. “Who determines what is a lawful and an unlawful assembly?” Mr Nsibambi asked. “This is a law which stops people from participating in politics
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