FOUR Ugandan peacekeepers were killed and eight others injured yesterday in the Somali capital Mogadishu when al-Shabaab rebels fired mortars at the presidential palace, an African Union spokesman said.
Uganda and Burundi have deployed more than 6,300 troops to the anarchic Horn of Africa nation to guard the port and airport and shield President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed from attack.
The AU’s peacekeepers concentrate their efforts on shielding the president and guarding the port and airport.
“We lost four Ugandan soldiers in mortar fire on Villa Somalia this morning,” AU spokesman Barigye Ba-Hoku said, referring to the presidential palace.
Another eight Ugandan soldiers were wounded, he said.
The AU forces are locked in heavy fighting with the Islamist rebels who want to topple the transitional administration. Last week, the al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab group vowed to intensify its holy war against the UN-backed government which it denounces as a puppet of the West.
Yesterday the Somali leader said his government needed more international assistance against the militants who launched their first attack on foreign soil in July, killing 79 people in Kampala.
“It is quite impractical to expect Somalia alone to contain the evil alliance of al-Qaeda and al-Shabaab, as Somalia is emerging from 20 years of destruction and a chaotic political environment,” Ahmed said in a statement
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Vote of no confidence
Electoral irregularities and malpractices on an unprecedented scale yesterday forced the National Resistance Movement (NRM) to suspend primary elections for the party’s parliamentary and local council flag bearers in nearly every corner of the country.
The widespread indiscretions, which included outright attempts to stuff ballot boxes with thousands of pre-ticked votes, sparked off violent clashes in some parts of the country, which, though not extensive to the scale of those witnessed during elections for NRM district chairpersons, angered several party faithful enough to accuse their leadership of gross incompetence.
Late delivery
Around the country, party members reeling at the extent of malpractices also accused the NRM electoral commission of delivering voting materials late, distributing flawed voters’ registers with missing names, swapping voters’ registers belonging to different constituencies and failure to prevent vote rigging.
Among the districts where elections in some constituencies were suspended over irregularities are Fort Portal, Kasese, Mbarara, Bundibugyo, Bushenyi, Kamwenge, Isingiro, Kabale, Ntungamo, Kiruhura, Ibanda, Rukungiri and parts of Kanungu in western Uganda; Mbale, Kapchorwa, Sironko, Manafwa, Busia, Butaleja, Kamuli, Bulambuli, Serere, Abim, Iganga and Nakapiripirit in the east; Arua and Moyo in the north-west; as well as Kampala, Mukono, Entebbe, Wakiso and Rakai in central. In Sembabule, voting did not take place after ballot papers mysteriously went missing.
Over 100 arrested
By press time last night, police had arrested about 100 NRM members in different parts of the country, including eight soldiers in Kabale District and students from a secondary school belonging to a contestant from Lwengo District, for allegedly attempting to vote illegally and masterminding some of the violence.
Deputy ministers Simon Ejua (state for transport) and Richard Nduhuura (state for health, general duties) and Dorothy Hyuha (Minister without Portfolia) were also accused of possessing already ticked papers and attempting to stuff them in the ballot boxes in their respective constituencies. Mr Ejua survived being lynched by supporters of his opponents.
Intimidation, harassment
The NRM primaries also had their fair share of alleged voter intimidation and harassment. In Mbale and Kibuku, police arrested atleast 15 people who were armed with sticks, pangas and guns at night that they were allegedly using to intimidate, harass and beat up opponents of Bunghoko South MP Michael Werikhe and MP Saleh Kamba respectively.
In Busoga region, Busiki County MP Musa Mukose Mutabaali was pelted with stones. Mr Mutabaali, who was injured and his car damaged, blamed the attack on supporters of his opponents. Another aspirant, Ms Charity Namuwoza, who is contesting for the Namutumba District Woman MP seat, was admitted to Iganga Hospital after a midnight attack by a yet-to-be-identified group.
In Rubaga North, former MP Tom Kayongo was roughed up by voters who accused him of tampering with the poll process. The numerous illegalities forced many party leaders to concede that the NRM had reached a new low. In Mbale, LC 5 chairman Bernard Mujasi told the press that the incidents point to major internal problems within the ruling party because it has failed to lead by example. “Where voting materials are inadequate and ballot papers are already in the streets, we should not deceive ourselves that we have democracy,” he said.
Vice President Gilbert Bukenya also weighed in after casting his vote at Nagulu polling station in Kakiri Sub-county, accusing the Mbabazi-led party leadership of incompetence.
Prof. Bukenya, who is vying for the position of party general secretary against Security Minister Amama Mbabazi, said, “You can imagine it is 12p.m. and most people have not started voting because materials never arrived on time. These are serious organisational problems.” “In some places in my constituency there was no voters’ register. These are anomalies that could have been solved if the secretariat was strong,” he added.
Administrative issue
Mr Mbabazi, who is contesting to be the NRM flag bearer in the parliamentary elections to represent Kinkizi West constituency in Kanungu District, was not available to comment. However, the NRM electoral commissioner, Ms Lydia Wanyoto, yesterday admitted that administrative problems had hampered the voting exercise. She, however, said the party was working on quick solutions to the problem. “It is a challenge for all of us,” admitted Ms Wanyoto. “We are getting reports that ballot papers are not enough and alleged ballot theft. We shall meet to see what to do after receiving all the complaints.”
The widespread indiscretions, which included outright attempts to stuff ballot boxes with thousands of pre-ticked votes, sparked off violent clashes in some parts of the country, which, though not extensive to the scale of those witnessed during elections for NRM district chairpersons, angered several party faithful enough to accuse their leadership of gross incompetence.
Late delivery
Around the country, party members reeling at the extent of malpractices also accused the NRM electoral commission of delivering voting materials late, distributing flawed voters’ registers with missing names, swapping voters’ registers belonging to different constituencies and failure to prevent vote rigging.
Among the districts where elections in some constituencies were suspended over irregularities are Fort Portal, Kasese, Mbarara, Bundibugyo, Bushenyi, Kamwenge, Isingiro, Kabale, Ntungamo, Kiruhura, Ibanda, Rukungiri and parts of Kanungu in western Uganda; Mbale, Kapchorwa, Sironko, Manafwa, Busia, Butaleja, Kamuli, Bulambuli, Serere, Abim, Iganga and Nakapiripirit in the east; Arua and Moyo in the north-west; as well as Kampala, Mukono, Entebbe, Wakiso and Rakai in central. In Sembabule, voting did not take place after ballot papers mysteriously went missing.
Over 100 arrested
By press time last night, police had arrested about 100 NRM members in different parts of the country, including eight soldiers in Kabale District and students from a secondary school belonging to a contestant from Lwengo District, for allegedly attempting to vote illegally and masterminding some of the violence.
Deputy ministers Simon Ejua (state for transport) and Richard Nduhuura (state for health, general duties) and Dorothy Hyuha (Minister without Portfolia) were also accused of possessing already ticked papers and attempting to stuff them in the ballot boxes in their respective constituencies. Mr Ejua survived being lynched by supporters of his opponents.
Intimidation, harassment
The NRM primaries also had their fair share of alleged voter intimidation and harassment. In Mbale and Kibuku, police arrested atleast 15 people who were armed with sticks, pangas and guns at night that they were allegedly using to intimidate, harass and beat up opponents of Bunghoko South MP Michael Werikhe and MP Saleh Kamba respectively.
In Busoga region, Busiki County MP Musa Mukose Mutabaali was pelted with stones. Mr Mutabaali, who was injured and his car damaged, blamed the attack on supporters of his opponents. Another aspirant, Ms Charity Namuwoza, who is contesting for the Namutumba District Woman MP seat, was admitted to Iganga Hospital after a midnight attack by a yet-to-be-identified group.
In Rubaga North, former MP Tom Kayongo was roughed up by voters who accused him of tampering with the poll process. The numerous illegalities forced many party leaders to concede that the NRM had reached a new low. In Mbale, LC 5 chairman Bernard Mujasi told the press that the incidents point to major internal problems within the ruling party because it has failed to lead by example. “Where voting materials are inadequate and ballot papers are already in the streets, we should not deceive ourselves that we have democracy,” he said.
Vice President Gilbert Bukenya also weighed in after casting his vote at Nagulu polling station in Kakiri Sub-county, accusing the Mbabazi-led party leadership of incompetence.
Prof. Bukenya, who is vying for the position of party general secretary against Security Minister Amama Mbabazi, said, “You can imagine it is 12p.m. and most people have not started voting because materials never arrived on time. These are serious organisational problems.” “In some places in my constituency there was no voters’ register. These are anomalies that could have been solved if the secretariat was strong,” he added.
Administrative issue
Mr Mbabazi, who is contesting to be the NRM flag bearer in the parliamentary elections to represent Kinkizi West constituency in Kanungu District, was not available to comment. However, the NRM electoral commissioner, Ms Lydia Wanyoto, yesterday admitted that administrative problems had hampered the voting exercise. She, however, said the party was working on quick solutions to the problem. “It is a challenge for all of us,” admitted Ms Wanyoto. “We are getting reports that ballot papers are not enough and alleged ballot theft. We shall meet to see what to do after receiving all the complaints.”
The police have come under the spotlight again after documentary evidence showed that senior officials of the National Resistance Movement influenced the Force to arrest the mayor of Hoima Town Council, Francis Atugonza.
Vice President Gilbert Bukenya has blamed the NRM Secretariat for the mess that characterised yesterday’s party primary elections.
Speaking to journalists after casting his vote at Nagulu polling station in Kakiri Sub-county, Wakiso District yesterday, Prof. Bukenya said the NRM secretariat was facing serious organisational problems that can be ironed out by a competent leadership.
“You can imagine it is 12 noon and most people have not started voting because materials never arrived on time,” Prof. Bukenya said, adding, “Even the materials they have sent are not enough and the presiding officers are being told to use exercise books as ballot papers. These are serious organisational problems.
Yesterday’s voting for NRM’s parliamentary and local council flag bearers in Kampala, Mukono, Entebbe municipality, Rakai and parts of Wakiso District were postponed over allegations of election malpractices. Even where voting took place, it started late due to lack of voting materials.
Secretariat blamed
Prof. Bukenya, who is running against Amama Mbabazi, the incumbent, in the race for the NRM secretary general, argued that most of the hiccups that led to suspension of voting exercises in most districts in Uganda could have been avoided if the party had an effective secretariat.
“In some places in my constituency there was no voters register, while in other places the presiding officers were told that if someone is a known NRM supporter who can be identified by the people, then he can vote even if his name was not on the register,” Prof. Bukenya said. “These are anomalies that could have been solved if the secretariat was strong”, he said. Prof. Bukenya, however, refused to put the blame on Mbabazi, saying he does not want to mention individuals.
The National Resistance Movement Electoral Commission chief Lydia Wanyoto yesterday admitted that administrative problems had hampered the voting exercise but said the party was working on a quick solution to the problems. “It is a challenge for all of us,” Ms Wanyoto said. “We are getting reports that ballot papers are not enough and the alleged ballot theft. We shall see what to do after receiving all the complaints.”
Meanwhile, the NRM presiding officer for Masulita Sub-county in Wakiso yesterday survived getting lynched by a mob who accused him of disappearing with ballot papers meant for election of the district NRM flag bearer. Mr Naliima Waswa told Daily Monitor at Masulita Police Station, where he took refuge, that he ran away with the ballots because they were not enough.
Ballot shortage
He said after realising that the ballot papers could not tally with the big number of voters present, he called the party headquarters for more ballots papers but he was instead advised to use exercise books. “That was unlawful because there is nowhere in the NRM constitution where it is written that exercise books shall be used as ballot papers,” Mr Waswa said yesterday. “ When I refused the unlawful directives from the party headquarters and packed the ballots to leave the place, the crowd followed me thinking that I had stuffed the ballots.”
Speaking to journalists after casting his vote at Nagulu polling station in Kakiri Sub-county, Wakiso District yesterday, Prof. Bukenya said the NRM secretariat was facing serious organisational problems that can be ironed out by a competent leadership.
“You can imagine it is 12 noon and most people have not started voting because materials never arrived on time,” Prof. Bukenya said, adding, “Even the materials they have sent are not enough and the presiding officers are being told to use exercise books as ballot papers. These are serious organisational problems.
Yesterday’s voting for NRM’s parliamentary and local council flag bearers in Kampala, Mukono, Entebbe municipality, Rakai and parts of Wakiso District were postponed over allegations of election malpractices. Even where voting took place, it started late due to lack of voting materials.
Secretariat blamed
Prof. Bukenya, who is running against Amama Mbabazi, the incumbent, in the race for the NRM secretary general, argued that most of the hiccups that led to suspension of voting exercises in most districts in Uganda could have been avoided if the party had an effective secretariat.
“In some places in my constituency there was no voters register, while in other places the presiding officers were told that if someone is a known NRM supporter who can be identified by the people, then he can vote even if his name was not on the register,” Prof. Bukenya said. “These are anomalies that could have been solved if the secretariat was strong”, he said. Prof. Bukenya, however, refused to put the blame on Mbabazi, saying he does not want to mention individuals.
The National Resistance Movement Electoral Commission chief Lydia Wanyoto yesterday admitted that administrative problems had hampered the voting exercise but said the party was working on a quick solution to the problems. “It is a challenge for all of us,” Ms Wanyoto said. “We are getting reports that ballot papers are not enough and the alleged ballot theft. We shall see what to do after receiving all the complaints.”
Meanwhile, the NRM presiding officer for Masulita Sub-county in Wakiso yesterday survived getting lynched by a mob who accused him of disappearing with ballot papers meant for election of the district NRM flag bearer. Mr Naliima Waswa told Daily Monitor at Masulita Police Station, where he took refuge, that he ran away with the ballots because they were not enough.
Ballot shortage
He said after realising that the ballot papers could not tally with the big number of voters present, he called the party headquarters for more ballots papers but he was instead advised to use exercise books. “That was unlawful because there is nowhere in the NRM constitution where it is written that exercise books shall be used as ballot papers,” Mr Waswa said yesterday. “ When I refused the unlawful directives from the party headquarters and packed the ballots to leave the place, the crowd followed me thinking that I had stuffed the ballots.”
Police on spot over Atugonza graft case
The police have come under the spotlight again after documentary evidence showed that senior officials of the National Resistance Movement influenced the Force to arrest the mayor of Hoima Town Council, Francis Atugonza.
Mr Atugonza, who is also the secretary for trade and Industry in the Forum for Democratic Change party, was in December last year arrested and charged with abuse of office for allegedly selling the town council’s land to a telecommunication company without the council’s authority. He denied the charge in the Anti-Corruption Court.
According to documents seen by Saturday Monitor, the arrest of Mr Atugonza was allegedly politically orchestrated by the Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Service, Mr Henry Muganwa Kajura with whom the has a long-term disagreements.
The orders
Saturday Monitor has seen a written directive from the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to the Police Commander in–charge of the Anti- Corruption Department, asking him to work with Minister Kajura during the entire investigations to ensure that Mr Atugonza is produced in court.
“Thoroughly and speedily investigate those complaints [against Atugonza),” reads a directive from the Inspector General of Police to the head of police anti-corruption department. “Closely work with the second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public service.”
When the IGP’s directive reached the head of Anti-Corruption police, he directed a junior officer, whose name was not revealed in the document, to investigate the matter with the help of Hoima District NRM general secretary, Mr David Kaboyo, Hoima Resident District Commissioner, Ms Martha Asiimwe and the Chief Administrative Officer, Mr Walter Iryama.
More investigations
“Thoroughly investigate this case and ensure that the culprits are produced before court,” reads an order from the head of Anti-Corruption Department.
It is not clear why the IGP was relying on senior NRM officials to investigate Mr Atugonza who is a known opposition figure in the region. Under the Ugandan laws, the police force is supposed to be non-partisan, and is not supposed to be under the guidance or control of any individual or authority while performing its duties.
The head of Anti-Corruption Department also ordered the detectives to investigate the source of Shs30m paid by the FDC Hoima District Chairman, Mr Jackson Wabyona, to bail out Mr Atugonza from prison.
Mr Atugonza, who is also a member of FDC National Executive Committee, came into limelight in April , 2009 when he was arrested by the Joint Anti-Terrorism Task Force and CMI operatives and taken to Kololo torture cells. He claimed to have been beaten by security operatives before being dumped at Old Kampala Police Station after a severe search for him mounted by FDC and human right activists.
When Saturday Monitor contacted police spokesperson Judith Nabakoba yesterday, she refused to comment on the matter but the Commissioner of Police in-charge of Anti-Corruption, Mr Joseph Otim, said he was not aware of any form of political influence behind the case.
“Whenever letters come to the IGP, the IGP can comment on them and send them to us,” Mr Otim said, “After seeing the comments, I instruct my officers to open a file. “You should understand that with issues of corruption, we try to get attention of everybody because we are all stake holders. May be that is why all those officers were informed about the case.”
Mr Otim, who investigated all the four cases against Mr Atugonza, said yesterday that the Director of Public Prosecution informed him last week that three cases; one relating to the misused of council property, the second relating to illegal sale of land to Link Bus Limited and the third relating to hiring an illegal tax collector, will be dropped.
Survives ousting
Last year, Mr Atugonza survived being ousted when the NRM Secretary General, Mr Amama Mbabazi, prevailed upon all NRM councillors on the town council executive committee to resign. Mr Mbabazi reasoned that without NRM-leaning councillors on his side, Mr Atugonza would fail to constitute another executive committee and would thus be forced out. Indeed all the councillors resigned, except one, an NRM-leaning independent.
“What are you doing on Atugonza and FDC’s executive? You should resign and if Atugonza fails to constitute an executive within 60 days, he will be thrown out of office and fresh elections shall be organised,” Mr Mbabazi is quoted to have said then.
Mr Atugonza, who is also the secretary for trade and Industry in the Forum for Democratic Change party, was in December last year arrested and charged with abuse of office for allegedly selling the town council’s land to a telecommunication company without the council’s authority. He denied the charge in the Anti-Corruption Court.
According to documents seen by Saturday Monitor, the arrest of Mr Atugonza was allegedly politically orchestrated by the Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Service, Mr Henry Muganwa Kajura with whom the has a long-term disagreements.
The orders
Saturday Monitor has seen a written directive from the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to the Police Commander in–charge of the Anti- Corruption Department, asking him to work with Minister Kajura during the entire investigations to ensure that Mr Atugonza is produced in court.
“Thoroughly and speedily investigate those complaints [against Atugonza),” reads a directive from the Inspector General of Police to the head of police anti-corruption department. “Closely work with the second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public service.”
When the IGP’s directive reached the head of Anti-Corruption police, he directed a junior officer, whose name was not revealed in the document, to investigate the matter with the help of Hoima District NRM general secretary, Mr David Kaboyo, Hoima Resident District Commissioner, Ms Martha Asiimwe and the Chief Administrative Officer, Mr Walter Iryama.
More investigations
“Thoroughly investigate this case and ensure that the culprits are produced before court,” reads an order from the head of Anti-Corruption Department.
It is not clear why the IGP was relying on senior NRM officials to investigate Mr Atugonza who is a known opposition figure in the region. Under the Ugandan laws, the police force is supposed to be non-partisan, and is not supposed to be under the guidance or control of any individual or authority while performing its duties.
The head of Anti-Corruption Department also ordered the detectives to investigate the source of Shs30m paid by the FDC Hoima District Chairman, Mr Jackson Wabyona, to bail out Mr Atugonza from prison.
Mr Atugonza, who is also a member of FDC National Executive Committee, came into limelight in April , 2009 when he was arrested by the Joint Anti-Terrorism Task Force and CMI operatives and taken to Kololo torture cells. He claimed to have been beaten by security operatives before being dumped at Old Kampala Police Station after a severe search for him mounted by FDC and human right activists.
When Saturday Monitor contacted police spokesperson Judith Nabakoba yesterday, she refused to comment on the matter but the Commissioner of Police in-charge of Anti-Corruption, Mr Joseph Otim, said he was not aware of any form of political influence behind the case.
“Whenever letters come to the IGP, the IGP can comment on them and send them to us,” Mr Otim said, “After seeing the comments, I instruct my officers to open a file. “You should understand that with issues of corruption, we try to get attention of everybody because we are all stake holders. May be that is why all those officers were informed about the case.”
Mr Otim, who investigated all the four cases against Mr Atugonza, said yesterday that the Director of Public Prosecution informed him last week that three cases; one relating to the misused of council property, the second relating to illegal sale of land to Link Bus Limited and the third relating to hiring an illegal tax collector, will be dropped.
Survives ousting
Last year, Mr Atugonza survived being ousted when the NRM Secretary General, Mr Amama Mbabazi, prevailed upon all NRM councillors on the town council executive committee to resign. Mr Mbabazi reasoned that without NRM-leaning councillors on his side, Mr Atugonza would fail to constitute another executive committee and would thus be forced out. Indeed all the councillors resigned, except one, an NRM-leaning independent.
“What are you doing on Atugonza and FDC’s executive? You should resign and if Atugonza fails to constitute an executive within 60 days, he will be thrown out of office and fresh elections shall be organised,” Mr Mbabazi is quoted to have said then.
FDC member attacks party’s electoral process
Despite leading a campaign against the Electoral Commission, Forum for Democratic Change’s internal electoral system has been compromised, the party’s external relations coordinator has said.
In a petition to party president, Dr Kizza Besigye, a copy of which Saturday Monitor has seen, Ms Ann Mugisha accuses the party EC headed by Dan Mugarura of breaching the principles of impartiality and transparency. She said it cannot preside over a free and fair party primaries.
Case in point
Ms Mugisha advised Dr Besigye to move swiftly and address the internal electoral matters. Otherwise, she said, FDC will lose its credibility as a party modelled on the principles of good governance, social justice, transparency and integrity.
Ms Mugisha, in particular, pointed out the case of Nakawa FDC chairman Michael Kabaziguruka, whom she said, continued to hold his office as the party deputy electoral commission boss months after he declared his intentions to run against her for the Nakawa MP’s seat.
Ms Mugisha argued that the failure to remove Mr Kabaziguruka from the office of the electoral committee soon after he made known his intention to contest for the position constituted an incurable error on the part of the commission.
Ms Mugisha also protested the 75 parish stations that have been added in Nakawa, saying they are ghost stations created by Mr Kabaziguruka to rig elections.
Grievances discussed
“Note that if a contestant came up with an extra 75 parish chairpersons unknown to other contestants they would have 75 extra assured votes in a primary election,” Ms Mugisha said. Saturday Monitor understands that during Wednesday’s FDC National Executive Council meeting, members discussed Ms Mugisha’s grievances and agreed to forward the matter to the party’s EC.
But Mr Kabaziguruka yesterday denied the charge and said everything was going on as per the party roadmap. “I have already resigned and I am going ahead with my campaign for the Nakawa MP seat,” Mr Kabaziguruka said. The members of FDC electoral committee include; Dan Mugarura (chairman) Dembe Catherine, Kabaziguruka and Soroti Municipality MP Charles Ekemu
In a petition to party president, Dr Kizza Besigye, a copy of which Saturday Monitor has seen, Ms Ann Mugisha accuses the party EC headed by Dan Mugarura of breaching the principles of impartiality and transparency. She said it cannot preside over a free and fair party primaries.
Case in point
Ms Mugisha advised Dr Besigye to move swiftly and address the internal electoral matters. Otherwise, she said, FDC will lose its credibility as a party modelled on the principles of good governance, social justice, transparency and integrity.
Ms Mugisha, in particular, pointed out the case of Nakawa FDC chairman Michael Kabaziguruka, whom she said, continued to hold his office as the party deputy electoral commission boss months after he declared his intentions to run against her for the Nakawa MP’s seat.
Ms Mugisha argued that the failure to remove Mr Kabaziguruka from the office of the electoral committee soon after he made known his intention to contest for the position constituted an incurable error on the part of the commission.
Ms Mugisha also protested the 75 parish stations that have been added in Nakawa, saying they are ghost stations created by Mr Kabaziguruka to rig elections.
Grievances discussed
“Note that if a contestant came up with an extra 75 parish chairpersons unknown to other contestants they would have 75 extra assured votes in a primary election,” Ms Mugisha said. Saturday Monitor understands that during Wednesday’s FDC National Executive Council meeting, members discussed Ms Mugisha’s grievances and agreed to forward the matter to the party’s EC.
But Mr Kabaziguruka yesterday denied the charge and said everything was going on as per the party roadmap. “I have already resigned and I am going ahead with my campaign for the Nakawa MP seat,” Mr Kabaziguruka said. The members of FDC electoral committee include; Dan Mugarura (chairman) Dembe Catherine, Kabaziguruka and Soroti Municipality MP Charles Ekemu
Crisis rocks IPC
An emergency meeting of the opposition Inter-Party Cooperation (IPC) was last evening fighting to salvage the united front against President Museveni even as it emerged that prospects for a joint presidential candidate have been dashed.
Uganda Peoples Congress leader Olara Otunnu arrived at the IPC offices on Katonga Road in Kampala for the 2.30p.m. meeting with the suspicion that the Forum for Democratic Change has hijacked the process ringing in his mind.
Efforts by this newspaper to get a response from the FDC to this suspicion were impossible as almost the entire party top hierarchy was at Katonga
Mr Otunnu, however, told Daily Monitor on the sidelines of the closed meeting that his party has “serious policy and operational issues” regarding how the IPC is being run.
“We called for a special summit of IPC because UPC has serious issues which must be resolved before its candidate is nominated,” Mr Otunnu said, “Once these issues are resolved, UPC will examine its options, make a decision and inform the country.”
Mr Otunnu first attended a heated morning meeting at UPC’s Uganda House headquarters in Kampala before heading to Katonga Road where the coalition’s current chair, FDC leader, Dr Kizza Besigye, presided over proceedings.
Mr Joseph Bbosa, secretary general of the UPC, last evening told Daily Monitor that concerns about “method of work and complaints that the line between the IPC and the individual parties which [make up the IPC] was being erased” were again raised at the morning meeting.
Cart before horse?
“For instance, there are claims by individuals in Teso, West Nile and Acholi that they have been declared the IPC candidate and yet [this is not true] since there hasn’t been any such agreement ... Certain activities are also being undertaken without the knowledge of other parties but being presented in the name of the IPC. All this has been at the initiative of the FDC,” Mr Bbosa said.
Under the IPC protocol, partner parties can cooperate in some activities but under clearly defined structures, while at the same time retaining their individual independence.
Sources inside Uganda House said many senior officials noted that Dr Besigye’s party has acted in bad faith by organising its activities under the cover of the IPC, thereby selling its own interests to voters.
They also wondered where FDC was getting money to run IPC activities and questioned its commitment to financial transparency. Other UPC officials were reportedly not happy that FDC officials, who want to run against them in envisaged joint IPC primaries, were moving around the country calling themselves the official IPC flag bearers and yet the coalition has not yet endorsed anybody.
But these accusations against the FDC, which along with UPC, Justice Forum (Jeema) and the Social Democratic Party constitute the loose coalition, seem like an excuse to disentangle the UPC from the coalition without unduly hurting Mr Otunnu’s stature.
A member of the current UPC National Council last evening told Daily Monitor that “it is absolutely true that Otunnu is trying to get out”. The member said Mr Otunnu does not have the “mandate to hand over authority over the party [as far as the issue of] joint candidates is concerned to IPC”.
Mr Joseph Ochieno, who said most members of the party “are coming to the realisation that they had all along been taken for a ride by FDC”, also observed that Mr Otunnu would have to call a national delegates conference to get the necessary mandate to back the idea of joint candidates.
“This issue was rejected outright by the previous National Council when Mama Miria Obote was still party president, although they agreed to the idea of cooperation with other parties,” Mr Ochieno said.
According to Mr Ochieno, while it is theoretically possible for Mr Otunnu to call a delegates conference, the contentious matter of who is a properly constituted UPC delegate remains within Uganda House.
“Half the country has new [UPC] delegates while the other half are old delegates, so who would attend such a conference?” he asked.
Jeema backs FDC
Yesterday afternoon, Jeema president Asuman Basalirwa, moved to calm fears of FDC dominance when he repeated that all positions in the coalition are held on rotational basis.
“When FDC officials assume leadership, they become active in organising rallies and demonstrations and that’s why they are always seen in the media. But other parties, including mine are not active
We must admit that FDC is the dominant opposition party in Uganda, it has the capacity to field a candidate on every position of leadership in Uganda. No other opposition party has that capacity. That is why we need to work with them,” he said.
Dr Besigye, Mr Hussein Kyanjo of Jeema, CP’s Prof. James Kigongo and Mr Michael Mabikke of SDP were last week nominated as potential IPC presidential election flag bearers.
Uganda Peoples Congress leader Olara Otunnu arrived at the IPC offices on Katonga Road in Kampala for the 2.30p.m. meeting with the suspicion that the Forum for Democratic Change has hijacked the process ringing in his mind.
Efforts by this newspaper to get a response from the FDC to this suspicion were impossible as almost the entire party top hierarchy was at Katonga
Mr Otunnu, however, told Daily Monitor on the sidelines of the closed meeting that his party has “serious policy and operational issues” regarding how the IPC is being run.
“We called for a special summit of IPC because UPC has serious issues which must be resolved before its candidate is nominated,” Mr Otunnu said, “Once these issues are resolved, UPC will examine its options, make a decision and inform the country.”
Mr Otunnu first attended a heated morning meeting at UPC’s Uganda House headquarters in Kampala before heading to Katonga Road where the coalition’s current chair, FDC leader, Dr Kizza Besigye, presided over proceedings.
Mr Joseph Bbosa, secretary general of the UPC, last evening told Daily Monitor that concerns about “method of work and complaints that the line between the IPC and the individual parties which [make up the IPC] was being erased” were again raised at the morning meeting.
Cart before horse?
“For instance, there are claims by individuals in Teso, West Nile and Acholi that they have been declared the IPC candidate and yet [this is not true] since there hasn’t been any such agreement ... Certain activities are also being undertaken without the knowledge of other parties but being presented in the name of the IPC. All this has been at the initiative of the FDC,” Mr Bbosa said.
Under the IPC protocol, partner parties can cooperate in some activities but under clearly defined structures, while at the same time retaining their individual independence.
Sources inside Uganda House said many senior officials noted that Dr Besigye’s party has acted in bad faith by organising its activities under the cover of the IPC, thereby selling its own interests to voters.
They also wondered where FDC was getting money to run IPC activities and questioned its commitment to financial transparency. Other UPC officials were reportedly not happy that FDC officials, who want to run against them in envisaged joint IPC primaries, were moving around the country calling themselves the official IPC flag bearers and yet the coalition has not yet endorsed anybody.
But these accusations against the FDC, which along with UPC, Justice Forum (Jeema) and the Social Democratic Party constitute the loose coalition, seem like an excuse to disentangle the UPC from the coalition without unduly hurting Mr Otunnu’s stature.
A member of the current UPC National Council last evening told Daily Monitor that “it is absolutely true that Otunnu is trying to get out”. The member said Mr Otunnu does not have the “mandate to hand over authority over the party [as far as the issue of] joint candidates is concerned to IPC”.
Mr Joseph Ochieno, who said most members of the party “are coming to the realisation that they had all along been taken for a ride by FDC”, also observed that Mr Otunnu would have to call a national delegates conference to get the necessary mandate to back the idea of joint candidates.
“This issue was rejected outright by the previous National Council when Mama Miria Obote was still party president, although they agreed to the idea of cooperation with other parties,” Mr Ochieno said.
According to Mr Ochieno, while it is theoretically possible for Mr Otunnu to call a delegates conference, the contentious matter of who is a properly constituted UPC delegate remains within Uganda House.
“Half the country has new [UPC] delegates while the other half are old delegates, so who would attend such a conference?” he asked.
Jeema backs FDC
Yesterday afternoon, Jeema president Asuman Basalirwa, moved to calm fears of FDC dominance when he repeated that all positions in the coalition are held on rotational basis.
“When FDC officials assume leadership, they become active in organising rallies and demonstrations and that’s why they are always seen in the media. But other parties, including mine are not active
We must admit that FDC is the dominant opposition party in Uganda, it has the capacity to field a candidate on every position of leadership in Uganda. No other opposition party has that capacity. That is why we need to work with them,” he said.
Dr Besigye, Mr Hussein Kyanjo of Jeema, CP’s Prof. James Kigongo and Mr Michael Mabikke of SDP were last week nominated as potential IPC presidential election flag bearers.
Besigye, Otunnu meet over poll boycott
Leading opposition coalition partners, Forum for Democratic Change and Uganda People’s Congress, are today expected to meet in the first attempt to paper over cracks that looked to have derailed their search for a joint presidential flag bearer for the 2011 presidential elections.
Functionaries from the two parties told Daily Monitor yesterday that the two teams, led by their respective party presidents, will meet to discuss, among others, the controversial proposal by UPC that the Inter Party Coalition should boycott the 2011 elections if President Museveni declines to overhaul the Electoral Commission leadership led by Eng. Badru Kiggundu.
The UPC Secretary General, Dr Joseph Bbosa, said yesterday that his party organised the impromptu meeting between UPC’s Olara Otunnu, FDC’s Kizza Besigye and other IPC leaders today at 2pm to discuss UPC’s grievances with the IPC.
It emerged yesterday that a disagreement on whether the opposition should boycott the 2011 general elections prompted UPC to restrict its involvement in the IPC.
Dr Besigye wants the opposition to take part in 2011 elections irrespective of whether the EC is disbanded or not. However, Mr Otunnu says if changes at EC are not effected, IPC should boycott the forthcoming elections.
Proposal rejected
Daily Monitor has learnt that Mr Otunnu’s proposal was also rejected by other IPC presidents, including Asuman Basalirwa (JEEMA), Prof. James Kigongo (CP) and Michael Mabikke (SDP).
Mr Bbosa said yesterday that UPC does not want to take part in a process that it believes will not be free and fair. “It is not that we do not want to field a candidate in the general elections but we want to engage in a process that will be free and fair,” Mr Bbosa said.
“We cannot take part in an election organised by the current EC, which was appointed by President Museveni who is going to be a candidate in 2011. You remember during the vetting of these commissioners in Parliament, the opposition stormed out. It was the NRM MPs who approved them. So whose interests will they be serving in 2011?”
The opposition and several activists have carried out numerous protests against the electoral commissioners who were re-appointed last year despite widespread complaints about their alleged lack of impartiality and their method of appointment.
Mr Bbosa also refuted media claims that the UPC leadership has decided to pull out of the IPC. But said it is one of the options the party might take should IPC fail to agree on what to do about the 2011 polls.
FDC vice president Salaam Musumba said yesterday UPC should not try to impose its will on the co-operating members because each party in the coalition is treated as an independent entity.
“Not even Dr Besigye has powers to decide FDC’s 2011 elections boycott,” Ms Musumba said yesterday. “Some of UPC’s demands are almost impossible. Now all parties have flag bearer for 2011 elections, and to boycott elections would mean each party to re-convene its delegates’ conference so that delegates can decide.”
UPC officials believe that if all opposition parties boycott 2011 elections, it would create a political crisis in the country, as well as undermine President Museveni’s international credibility.
But senior FDC officials said yesterday that a boycott could turn out to be counter-productive for the opposition since the NRM is still cable of swaying other smaller parties to field candidates to run against its flag bearer
Functionaries from the two parties told Daily Monitor yesterday that the two teams, led by their respective party presidents, will meet to discuss, among others, the controversial proposal by UPC that the Inter Party Coalition should boycott the 2011 elections if President Museveni declines to overhaul the Electoral Commission leadership led by Eng. Badru Kiggundu.
The UPC Secretary General, Dr Joseph Bbosa, said yesterday that his party organised the impromptu meeting between UPC’s Olara Otunnu, FDC’s Kizza Besigye and other IPC leaders today at 2pm to discuss UPC’s grievances with the IPC.
It emerged yesterday that a disagreement on whether the opposition should boycott the 2011 general elections prompted UPC to restrict its involvement in the IPC.
Dr Besigye wants the opposition to take part in 2011 elections irrespective of whether the EC is disbanded or not. However, Mr Otunnu says if changes at EC are not effected, IPC should boycott the forthcoming elections.
Proposal rejected
Daily Monitor has learnt that Mr Otunnu’s proposal was also rejected by other IPC presidents, including Asuman Basalirwa (JEEMA), Prof. James Kigongo (CP) and Michael Mabikke (SDP).
Mr Bbosa said yesterday that UPC does not want to take part in a process that it believes will not be free and fair. “It is not that we do not want to field a candidate in the general elections but we want to engage in a process that will be free and fair,” Mr Bbosa said.
“We cannot take part in an election organised by the current EC, which was appointed by President Museveni who is going to be a candidate in 2011. You remember during the vetting of these commissioners in Parliament, the opposition stormed out. It was the NRM MPs who approved them. So whose interests will they be serving in 2011?”
The opposition and several activists have carried out numerous protests against the electoral commissioners who were re-appointed last year despite widespread complaints about their alleged lack of impartiality and their method of appointment.
Mr Bbosa also refuted media claims that the UPC leadership has decided to pull out of the IPC. But said it is one of the options the party might take should IPC fail to agree on what to do about the 2011 polls.
FDC vice president Salaam Musumba said yesterday UPC should not try to impose its will on the co-operating members because each party in the coalition is treated as an independent entity.
“Not even Dr Besigye has powers to decide FDC’s 2011 elections boycott,” Ms Musumba said yesterday. “Some of UPC’s demands are almost impossible. Now all parties have flag bearer for 2011 elections, and to boycott elections would mean each party to re-convene its delegates’ conference so that delegates can decide.”
UPC officials believe that if all opposition parties boycott 2011 elections, it would create a political crisis in the country, as well as undermine President Museveni’s international credibility.
But senior FDC officials said yesterday that a boycott could turn out to be counter-productive for the opposition since the NRM is still cable of swaying other smaller parties to field candidates to run against its flag bearer
Opposition’s call to arms
By Gerald Bareebe
Four candidates were this past week nominated to contest in the race that will determine who will carry the flag for the coalition of five opposition political parties in next year’s presidential elections. If symbolism is anything to go back what went and did go on at Kololo Airstip where the nominations took place, spoke volumes about the conditions prevalent within the ranks of Uganda’s political opposition with less than 200 days to the 2011 elections.
Forum for Democratic Change president, Dr Kizza Besigye, Justice Forum (Jeema) president, Hajj Hussein Kyanjo; Conservative Party’s Prof. James Kigongo and Social Democratic Party president, Michael Mabikke, were nominated amid some pomp and glamour albeit with fewer than would have been expected numbers of party enthusiasts.
Conspicuously absent was the Uganda Peoples Congress’s leader, Mr Olara Otunnu, after his party requested for time to deal with its internal grassroots elections. Mr Otunnu has been on a whistle stop tour of the United States and United Kingdom, addressing Ugandans in the Diaspora and launching what he has called Uganda’s ten-point radical renewal agenda.
IPC president Dr Besigye explained later that Mr Otunnu had been allowed time to sort out his current court battle in which he is hoping to overturn what he described as “trumped up charges” of sedition and sectarianism. He said Mr Otunnu would get nominated eventually.
But UPC’s last minute withdrawal from the nominations for a joint opposition presidential candidate has injected an atmosphere of distrust in the Inter-Party Cooperation. Although all IPC leaders tried to play down the Otunnu no show, his continued absence threatens to wreck the cooperation’s plans.
Some political pundits have argued that there is nothing ideological that holds IPC together, apart from the fact that all the cooperating parties want to field a single candidate in the 2011 elections to run against incumbent President Museveni. Because of this lack of ideological synthesis, they say, the chances of the alliance breaking up before election are ever so real.
From the speeches made at Kololo, the cooperating parties appeared to be looking for the common ground. The idea of federalism as a preferred system of government as opposed to the current republican dispensation was emphasised by all candidates over alongside the joint candidate intentions.
They all talked ill of the government mishandling of the Buganda and Banyala issue; a thorny political matter which exploded in the September 2009 demonstrations which left about 27 people dead and 50 injured, most of them as result of being shot with live ammunition by men in police uniform. The opposition leaders contended that the demonstrations exposed the tensions between state control and Buganda’s desire for a federal government.
But whether federalism will be enough glue to hold the coalition together remains contentious considering that at the same function, the smaller parties reintroduced the fear that FDC being the largest opposition political party in Uganda, could overshadow them in the IPC.
A way around these fears appears to be on the agenda of the IPC leadership. The leaders have agreed to allow the smaller parties organise some of its activities.
For example, it was the Jeema that organised the IPC youth celebrations at Wankulukiuku Stadium while CP organised the Kololo nomination ceremony.
Such apparently mundane things though symbolic have a certain political significance.
But back to the UPC matter. In an interview with Inside Politics, UPC’s representative to the IPC Steering Committee, Patrick Mwondha, insisted the party cannot pullout because it has been at the centre of the cooperation.
Mr Mwondha, the only UPC official who turned up at Kololo, said; “We are very much into this cooperation and there is no way we can pullout.
We are sorting up some of our internal grassroots elections and we shall come and get no nominated.” Mr Mwondha added that UPC agrees with most of the issues the other parties cherish like federalism, and that it would work with parties to establish an effective corrupt-free government. For now, this is an optimistic reading of the signs despite the gathering clouds of the horizon.
It would interesting to know what Mr Mwondha has to say about Mr Robert Kanusu’s midweek claim that the IPC leadership is straying from the principle of transparency that was one of the central points to the formation of a coalition. Mr Kanusu is press secretary to Mr Otunnu and it would be fair enough to say that he speaks with his master’s voice on the subject.
When Prof. Kigongo, the first candidate to get nominated, spoke he promised to introduce a federal system of government, saying it is the best solution to dictatorship and the “failed” decentralisation programme.
“With such devolution of power and responsibility, we would strengthen our institutional capacity to fight the scourge of corruption and develop strong institutional capacity to ensure equitable distribution of natural resources.” Prof Kigongo said.
The professor who has until now been an unknown political quantity spoke words of such political significance but it is unlikely they did anything to break the presence that Dr Besigye, who was second on the nominations table.
Addressing his supporters after the process, Dr Besigye sought to cast himself as a candidate of hope, and a person with proven experience that can be trusted to navigate Uganda’s mucky political waters.
“I come with a message of hope,” he said, “I mean hope of a bright future for all Ugandans. Let us unite and move forward rather than be scattered in fear… The 2011 elections must be about the future of Uganda not about the past and my record shows that I am the best candidate to deliver the future that all Ugandans aspire for.
“I have the unwavering commitment to serve the people as I have shown in my participation in the struggle for peace and democracy in this country. I have a record of clean, responsible, democratic and team-playing in my party….. I have been tried, I have been tested and the people of Uganda know that I have not been found wanting.”
The FDC leader indicated that if elected, he would improve health care, create an economy based on sustainable and equitable development, work on the poor infrastructure and create an efficient and accountable government that would respect the basic human rights. All very well put.
Also casting his eyes into the tomorrow, Jeema’s candidate Hussein Kyanjo also pledged to grant a federal system of government to all regions of Uganda and set up mechanisms that would open economic opportunities for the women, the youth and the elderly.
“If you are a woman who is interested in a bright future, I am your candidate, and if you doubt me, go and ask my wife. If you are a businessman, I am a candidate of your choice, if you are that person who is tired of corruption, nepotism, and corruption with impunity, I am your candidate, but if you are that person who is worried and has no hope in the future of this country, I am sorry I will disappoint you.”
Mr Mabikke, the youngest candidate in the race, was immediately controversial, warning that his party (the SDP) would not make any concession to opposition leaders with no desire to “uproot President Museveni from power”.
Clearly, the removal of Mr Museveni remains at the heart of not just one of the opposition leadership
Four candidates were this past week nominated to contest in the race that will determine who will carry the flag for the coalition of five opposition political parties in next year’s presidential elections. If symbolism is anything to go back what went and did go on at Kololo Airstip where the nominations took place, spoke volumes about the conditions prevalent within the ranks of Uganda’s political opposition with less than 200 days to the 2011 elections.
Forum for Democratic Change president, Dr Kizza Besigye, Justice Forum (Jeema) president, Hajj Hussein Kyanjo; Conservative Party’s Prof. James Kigongo and Social Democratic Party president, Michael Mabikke, were nominated amid some pomp and glamour albeit with fewer than would have been expected numbers of party enthusiasts.
Conspicuously absent was the Uganda Peoples Congress’s leader, Mr Olara Otunnu, after his party requested for time to deal with its internal grassroots elections. Mr Otunnu has been on a whistle stop tour of the United States and United Kingdom, addressing Ugandans in the Diaspora and launching what he has called Uganda’s ten-point radical renewal agenda.
IPC president Dr Besigye explained later that Mr Otunnu had been allowed time to sort out his current court battle in which he is hoping to overturn what he described as “trumped up charges” of sedition and sectarianism. He said Mr Otunnu would get nominated eventually.
But UPC’s last minute withdrawal from the nominations for a joint opposition presidential candidate has injected an atmosphere of distrust in the Inter-Party Cooperation. Although all IPC leaders tried to play down the Otunnu no show, his continued absence threatens to wreck the cooperation’s plans.
Some political pundits have argued that there is nothing ideological that holds IPC together, apart from the fact that all the cooperating parties want to field a single candidate in the 2011 elections to run against incumbent President Museveni. Because of this lack of ideological synthesis, they say, the chances of the alliance breaking up before election are ever so real.
From the speeches made at Kololo, the cooperating parties appeared to be looking for the common ground. The idea of federalism as a preferred system of government as opposed to the current republican dispensation was emphasised by all candidates over alongside the joint candidate intentions.
They all talked ill of the government mishandling of the Buganda and Banyala issue; a thorny political matter which exploded in the September 2009 demonstrations which left about 27 people dead and 50 injured, most of them as result of being shot with live ammunition by men in police uniform. The opposition leaders contended that the demonstrations exposed the tensions between state control and Buganda’s desire for a federal government.
But whether federalism will be enough glue to hold the coalition together remains contentious considering that at the same function, the smaller parties reintroduced the fear that FDC being the largest opposition political party in Uganda, could overshadow them in the IPC.
A way around these fears appears to be on the agenda of the IPC leadership. The leaders have agreed to allow the smaller parties organise some of its activities.
For example, it was the Jeema that organised the IPC youth celebrations at Wankulukiuku Stadium while CP organised the Kololo nomination ceremony.
Such apparently mundane things though symbolic have a certain political significance.
But back to the UPC matter. In an interview with Inside Politics, UPC’s representative to the IPC Steering Committee, Patrick Mwondha, insisted the party cannot pullout because it has been at the centre of the cooperation.
Mr Mwondha, the only UPC official who turned up at Kololo, said; “We are very much into this cooperation and there is no way we can pullout.
We are sorting up some of our internal grassroots elections and we shall come and get no nominated.” Mr Mwondha added that UPC agrees with most of the issues the other parties cherish like federalism, and that it would work with parties to establish an effective corrupt-free government. For now, this is an optimistic reading of the signs despite the gathering clouds of the horizon.
It would interesting to know what Mr Mwondha has to say about Mr Robert Kanusu’s midweek claim that the IPC leadership is straying from the principle of transparency that was one of the central points to the formation of a coalition. Mr Kanusu is press secretary to Mr Otunnu and it would be fair enough to say that he speaks with his master’s voice on the subject.
When Prof. Kigongo, the first candidate to get nominated, spoke he promised to introduce a federal system of government, saying it is the best solution to dictatorship and the “failed” decentralisation programme.
“With such devolution of power and responsibility, we would strengthen our institutional capacity to fight the scourge of corruption and develop strong institutional capacity to ensure equitable distribution of natural resources.” Prof Kigongo said.
The professor who has until now been an unknown political quantity spoke words of such political significance but it is unlikely they did anything to break the presence that Dr Besigye, who was second on the nominations table.
Addressing his supporters after the process, Dr Besigye sought to cast himself as a candidate of hope, and a person with proven experience that can be trusted to navigate Uganda’s mucky political waters.
“I come with a message of hope,” he said, “I mean hope of a bright future for all Ugandans. Let us unite and move forward rather than be scattered in fear… The 2011 elections must be about the future of Uganda not about the past and my record shows that I am the best candidate to deliver the future that all Ugandans aspire for.
“I have the unwavering commitment to serve the people as I have shown in my participation in the struggle for peace and democracy in this country. I have a record of clean, responsible, democratic and team-playing in my party….. I have been tried, I have been tested and the people of Uganda know that I have not been found wanting.”
The FDC leader indicated that if elected, he would improve health care, create an economy based on sustainable and equitable development, work on the poor infrastructure and create an efficient and accountable government that would respect the basic human rights. All very well put.
Also casting his eyes into the tomorrow, Jeema’s candidate Hussein Kyanjo also pledged to grant a federal system of government to all regions of Uganda and set up mechanisms that would open economic opportunities for the women, the youth and the elderly.
“If you are a woman who is interested in a bright future, I am your candidate, and if you doubt me, go and ask my wife. If you are a businessman, I am a candidate of your choice, if you are that person who is tired of corruption, nepotism, and corruption with impunity, I am your candidate, but if you are that person who is worried and has no hope in the future of this country, I am sorry I will disappoint you.”
Mr Mabikke, the youngest candidate in the race, was immediately controversial, warning that his party (the SDP) would not make any concession to opposition leaders with no desire to “uproot President Museveni from power”.
Clearly, the removal of Mr Museveni remains at the heart of not just one of the opposition leadership
Friday, August 6, 2010
Ministers face suspension over vote-rigging
The ruling National Resistance Movement party announced yesterday that it would suspend two senior cabinet ministers over their alleged involvement in vote rigging and voter manipulation in the just-concluded party district elections.
Addressing journalists in Kampala, Deputy Spokesperson Ofwono Opondo, said if the NRM still wants to be seen as a party that can deliver a clean vote in 2011, it should expel Lwemiyaga County MP Theodore Ssekikubo and suspend Minister of State for Labour Emmanuel Otaala and Minister without Portfolio Dorothy Hyuha over their alleged misconduct during the elections.
Bukenya in spotlight
Mr Opondo also said the party’s elections tribunal will investigate allegations that Vice President Gilbert Bukenya was involved in vote buying in the race for Wakiso District chairman.
He said the party has received complaints that Prof. Bukenya hosted NRM voters at his home on the eve of the voting so as to influence them in his favour.
“If the Vice President and NRM [national vice] chairman did this, then suspension must be [effected],” Mr Opondo said. “But, we are waiting for a submission from Eng. Kyeyune before we proceed with investigations.”
Eng. Ian Kyeyune has been the incumbent Wakiso District chairperson. He, however, withdrew from the contest, saying the Vice President used money to influence voters.
Shameful
Mr Opondo said Ms Hyuha connived with her brother, Butaleja District chairman Richard Waya, to hide voters in a hotel, thereby denying area MP Emmanuel Dombo, who was vying for the same district position, access to the electorate.
“It was a shameful act,” Mr Opondo said, “They hid voters in a hotel and bought them booze and snacks and denied their opponent access to them. That is what happened in Butaleja.”
Mr Opondo said Dr Otaala should “feel ashamed” for hijacking the entire electoral process in Tororo District. He accused the minister of locking out ethnic Iteso voters from Tororo County from the voting process.
“He tried to connive with Jo’padhola voters to ensure that the Iteso side does not send representatives to elect the district chairman,” Mr Opondo said, adding, “He later emerged from the meeting with voters from his tribe and declared himself winner. This was very improper.”
Although Mr Opondo said voting in most parts of the country had gone on well, he observed that the shooting in Sembabule has left the public unsure about his party’s commitment to organising peaceful elections in next year.
Lingering doubts
He said, “If NRM, a party that is leading the country uses violence against one of its own, how then can it convince the world that it will preside over peaceful elections against our opponents?”
Mr Opondo said the Sembabule shooting, in which two people were injured and a police officer was manhandled, has exposed how anger has taken the better of area MP Ssekikubo, who was granted bail last evening.
“Some of us are of the view that he should be expelled from the party immediately,” Mr Opondo said, “Let him go and contest as an independent or join the opposition. Similar measures must be taken against Minister Otaala and Ms Hyuha.”
Yesterday, NRM legal advisor and Minister for Local Government, Adolf Mwesige, told Daily Monitor that even if the party tribunal decided to suspend the ministers, they could still keep their jobs.
“The ministers are appointed by the President and suspension from the party cannot affect their position in Cabinet,” Mr Mwesige said. “They are appointed to serve the State not a party. Of course, it would be morally bad for a minister to be suspended by the party, but after suspension, it would be up to the President to either relieve them of their duties in cabinet or keep them.”
Addressing journalists in Kampala, Deputy Spokesperson Ofwono Opondo, said if the NRM still wants to be seen as a party that can deliver a clean vote in 2011, it should expel Lwemiyaga County MP Theodore Ssekikubo and suspend Minister of State for Labour Emmanuel Otaala and Minister without Portfolio Dorothy Hyuha over their alleged misconduct during the elections.
Bukenya in spotlight
Mr Opondo also said the party’s elections tribunal will investigate allegations that Vice President Gilbert Bukenya was involved in vote buying in the race for Wakiso District chairman.
He said the party has received complaints that Prof. Bukenya hosted NRM voters at his home on the eve of the voting so as to influence them in his favour.
“If the Vice President and NRM [national vice] chairman did this, then suspension must be [effected],” Mr Opondo said. “But, we are waiting for a submission from Eng. Kyeyune before we proceed with investigations.”
Eng. Ian Kyeyune has been the incumbent Wakiso District chairperson. He, however, withdrew from the contest, saying the Vice President used money to influence voters.
Shameful
Mr Opondo said Ms Hyuha connived with her brother, Butaleja District chairman Richard Waya, to hide voters in a hotel, thereby denying area MP Emmanuel Dombo, who was vying for the same district position, access to the electorate.
“It was a shameful act,” Mr Opondo said, “They hid voters in a hotel and bought them booze and snacks and denied their opponent access to them. That is what happened in Butaleja.”
Mr Opondo said Dr Otaala should “feel ashamed” for hijacking the entire electoral process in Tororo District. He accused the minister of locking out ethnic Iteso voters from Tororo County from the voting process.
“He tried to connive with Jo’padhola voters to ensure that the Iteso side does not send representatives to elect the district chairman,” Mr Opondo said, adding, “He later emerged from the meeting with voters from his tribe and declared himself winner. This was very improper.”
Although Mr Opondo said voting in most parts of the country had gone on well, he observed that the shooting in Sembabule has left the public unsure about his party’s commitment to organising peaceful elections in next year.
Lingering doubts
He said, “If NRM, a party that is leading the country uses violence against one of its own, how then can it convince the world that it will preside over peaceful elections against our opponents?”
Mr Opondo said the Sembabule shooting, in which two people were injured and a police officer was manhandled, has exposed how anger has taken the better of area MP Ssekikubo, who was granted bail last evening.
“Some of us are of the view that he should be expelled from the party immediately,” Mr Opondo said, “Let him go and contest as an independent or join the opposition. Similar measures must be taken against Minister Otaala and Ms Hyuha.”
Yesterday, NRM legal advisor and Minister for Local Government, Adolf Mwesige, told Daily Monitor that even if the party tribunal decided to suspend the ministers, they could still keep their jobs.
“The ministers are appointed by the President and suspension from the party cannot affect their position in Cabinet,” Mr Mwesige said. “They are appointed to serve the State not a party. Of course, it would be morally bad for a minister to be suspended by the party, but after suspension, it would be up to the President to either relieve them of their duties in cabinet or keep them.”
Besigye promises peoples’ protests
The opposition yesterday announced plans to stage what they called a nation-wide protracted peoples’ protests against the Electoral Commission despite an existing police order against holding demonstrations. Along the way, the opposition hopes to raise more than one million signatures from voters. The signatures will accompany a petition to be presented to the Speaker of Parliament, Mr James Ssekandi.
Addressing journalists in Kampala yesterday, Dr Kizza Besigye, the leader of the Inter-Party Leaders’ summit, the highest organ of the Inter-Party Cooperation, said the protests are intended to emphasise their demand for a free and fair election in 2011. He, however, did not say when the protests will start.
Dr Besigye said electoral reforms can be pushed through if there is political will to change. He dismissed the view that there is no time to implement reforms. “What is lacking is the will not the time,” Dr Besigye said. “The Constitution was amended in two days to remove [presidential] term limits and that’s because there was will by those concerned because it would benefit them.”
The retired army Colonel, who is also the president of the Forum for Democratic Change, said a free and fair election is a non-negotiable facility that the people of Uganda, like other nationalities, must enjoy.
Dr Besigye promised a much more robust campaign. “We are changing it from a campaign led by ourselves to a people-led campaign,” Dr Besigye said. “We are re-stating our rejection of the President Museveni-imposed Electoral Commission. It has been very instrumental in rigging on behalf of the regime and that is why we insist on a new and independent Commission.”
It was the first joint press conference by IPC leaders after nationwide demonstrations organised by the National Alliance for Free and Fair Elections two weeks ago resulted in about 80 opposition supporters getting arrested.
Flanked by Justice Forum (JEEMA) President Asuman Basalirwa, Uganda Peoples Congress Secretary General, Joseph Bossa and Conservative Party boss, John Ken Lukyamuzi, Dr Besigye affirmed that the opposition will be taking part in the 2011 elections. Until yesterday, the opposition has pushed the line that they would not participate in an election organised by the EC as presently constituted.
“We insist that elections in Uganda must be subjected and judged by the same internationally accepted standards of electoral probity applied everywhere in the world. “We therefore condemn the exceptionalism which has been accorded to the Museveni regime in the past.”
The Supreme Court found widespread irregularities in both 2001 and 2006 presidential elections which they said were not conducted in accordance with electoral law but ruled that the non-compliance was not substantial enough to change the outcome. Before the start of the mass protests, Dr Besigye said, the opposition will seek a meeting with the police, the judiciary and civil society and other senior citizens interested in violence-free polls
Addressing journalists in Kampala yesterday, Dr Kizza Besigye, the leader of the Inter-Party Leaders’ summit, the highest organ of the Inter-Party Cooperation, said the protests are intended to emphasise their demand for a free and fair election in 2011. He, however, did not say when the protests will start.
Dr Besigye said electoral reforms can be pushed through if there is political will to change. He dismissed the view that there is no time to implement reforms. “What is lacking is the will not the time,” Dr Besigye said. “The Constitution was amended in two days to remove [presidential] term limits and that’s because there was will by those concerned because it would benefit them.”
The retired army Colonel, who is also the president of the Forum for Democratic Change, said a free and fair election is a non-negotiable facility that the people of Uganda, like other nationalities, must enjoy.
Dr Besigye promised a much more robust campaign. “We are changing it from a campaign led by ourselves to a people-led campaign,” Dr Besigye said. “We are re-stating our rejection of the President Museveni-imposed Electoral Commission. It has been very instrumental in rigging on behalf of the regime and that is why we insist on a new and independent Commission.”
It was the first joint press conference by IPC leaders after nationwide demonstrations organised by the National Alliance for Free and Fair Elections two weeks ago resulted in about 80 opposition supporters getting arrested.
Flanked by Justice Forum (JEEMA) President Asuman Basalirwa, Uganda Peoples Congress Secretary General, Joseph Bossa and Conservative Party boss, John Ken Lukyamuzi, Dr Besigye affirmed that the opposition will be taking part in the 2011 elections. Until yesterday, the opposition has pushed the line that they would not participate in an election organised by the EC as presently constituted.
“We insist that elections in Uganda must be subjected and judged by the same internationally accepted standards of electoral probity applied everywhere in the world. “We therefore condemn the exceptionalism which has been accorded to the Museveni regime in the past.”
The Supreme Court found widespread irregularities in both 2001 and 2006 presidential elections which they said were not conducted in accordance with electoral law but ruled that the non-compliance was not substantial enough to change the outcome. Before the start of the mass protests, Dr Besigye said, the opposition will seek a meeting with the police, the judiciary and civil society and other senior citizens interested in violence-free polls
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
MP arrested over poll shooting
Lwemiyaga County Member of Parliament Theodore Ssekikubo yesterday handed himself over to the Police Criminal Investigations Directorate in Kampala where he was arrested and questioned for several hours.
The Inspector General of Police, Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura, told Daily Monitor the MP was seized in connection with Monday’s shooting in Sembabule District during the chaotic National Resistance Movement party district elections in which two people were injured and a police officer manhandled.
Others questioned
Daily Monitor understands that following a preliminary inquiry by a regional CID team led by Christopher Rugumayo and other senior officers, other ruling party members are also on the police radar. Southern Regional Police spokesperson Norah Sserujongi said “five NRM chairmen, who were present during the scuffle, have recorded statements with CID”. Mr Ssekikubo drove to CID headquarters at Kibuli in a navy blue Toyota Land Cruiser at around 3 pm.
Journalists were told he answered questions from Deputy Director CID Moses Sakira until 6:40 pm. “Mr Ssekikubo is officially under arrest and he is going to be transported to Masaka District this evening (Tuesday) where he committed the crime,” the police spokesperson, Ms Judith Nabakooba, later told Daily Monitor. She said Mr Ssekikubo would record a statement at Masaka Police after which, charges would be preferred against him.
Ms Nabakooba said the Force has also suspended Sembabule District Police Commander Stephen Okwir. “He has been suspended for failing to control Monday’s situation. He had a whole unit of anti-riot police but he did not use it, ” Ms Nabakooba said. Mr Ssekikubo blamed Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kuteesa for the latest outbreak of political tensions in Sembabule barely six months to next year’s general elections due between February and March 2011.
But Minister Kuteesa last evening said “no leader can behave in such a manner”. The minister also criticised the police saying; “If they cannot protect the public in small elections of the ruling NRM party, then we fear what might happen in future. How could they fail to disarm Ssekikubo and his bodyguard?” Lt. Habib Nsamba was shot in the stomach as he reportedly tried to disarm Mr Ssekikubo’s bodyguard, while another person is said to have sustained gunshot wounds in the lower limbs.
Soldier disowned
Army Spokesperson Lt. Col. Felix Kulayigye yesterday said the injured lieutenant is not a known member of the UPDF, which under Uganda’s electoral laws must not engage in partisan political activity. “Maybe he belongs to ISO (Internal Security Organisation) or any other security group but I cannot pass judgement on him because we don’t know who he is,” Lt. Col. Kulayigye said. Meanwhile, the NRM Chief Whip, Mr Daudi Migereko, said the leadership will take measures to avoid a recurrence of such acts. “We do not support violence on matters which can clearly be decided by the ballot box,” he said
The Inspector General of Police, Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura, told Daily Monitor the MP was seized in connection with Monday’s shooting in Sembabule District during the chaotic National Resistance Movement party district elections in which two people were injured and a police officer manhandled.
Others questioned
Daily Monitor understands that following a preliminary inquiry by a regional CID team led by Christopher Rugumayo and other senior officers, other ruling party members are also on the police radar. Southern Regional Police spokesperson Norah Sserujongi said “five NRM chairmen, who were present during the scuffle, have recorded statements with CID”. Mr Ssekikubo drove to CID headquarters at Kibuli in a navy blue Toyota Land Cruiser at around 3 pm.
Journalists were told he answered questions from Deputy Director CID Moses Sakira until 6:40 pm. “Mr Ssekikubo is officially under arrest and he is going to be transported to Masaka District this evening (Tuesday) where he committed the crime,” the police spokesperson, Ms Judith Nabakooba, later told Daily Monitor. She said Mr Ssekikubo would record a statement at Masaka Police after which, charges would be preferred against him.
Ms Nabakooba said the Force has also suspended Sembabule District Police Commander Stephen Okwir. “He has been suspended for failing to control Monday’s situation. He had a whole unit of anti-riot police but he did not use it, ” Ms Nabakooba said. Mr Ssekikubo blamed Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kuteesa for the latest outbreak of political tensions in Sembabule barely six months to next year’s general elections due between February and March 2011.
But Minister Kuteesa last evening said “no leader can behave in such a manner”. The minister also criticised the police saying; “If they cannot protect the public in small elections of the ruling NRM party, then we fear what might happen in future. How could they fail to disarm Ssekikubo and his bodyguard?” Lt. Habib Nsamba was shot in the stomach as he reportedly tried to disarm Mr Ssekikubo’s bodyguard, while another person is said to have sustained gunshot wounds in the lower limbs.
Soldier disowned
Army Spokesperson Lt. Col. Felix Kulayigye yesterday said the injured lieutenant is not a known member of the UPDF, which under Uganda’s electoral laws must not engage in partisan political activity. “Maybe he belongs to ISO (Internal Security Organisation) or any other security group but I cannot pass judgement on him because we don’t know who he is,” Lt. Col. Kulayigye said. Meanwhile, the NRM Chief Whip, Mr Daudi Migereko, said the leadership will take measures to avoid a recurrence of such acts. “We do not support violence on matters which can clearly be decided by the ballot box,” he said
Monday, August 2, 2010
Gunshots, chaos mar NRM polls
Violence overshadowed some of yesterday’s National Resistance Movement district elections as party heavy weights tussled. Two people were shot and injured in Ssembabule District where Lwemiyaga MP Theodore Ssekikubo stormed the venue of the polls protesting anomalies in the exercise. His rival, Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kutesa, retained the seat. In Wakiso District, Vice President Gilbert Bukenya was elected NRM chairman unopposed after his main rival Ian Kyeyune pulled out.
In Butaleja and Tororo districts, the polls were postponed after rival camps clashed. The election’s biggest causalities were Public Service Minister Sseezi Mbaguta, who lost to Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi in Rukungiri District, while former Minister Edward Francis Babu lost in Kampala Central. Men armed with stones, sticks and iron bars besieged a polling station at Butaleja District headquarters and disrupted the National Resistance Movement party elections.
The group mostly comprised middle-aged men. They attacked the district chairman, Mr Richard Waya, and pelted him with stones. They accused him of conniving with one of the contestants, Mr Imran Muruga to hide about 340 delegates in Tororo for five days.
Mr Waya sustained a deep cut on his head and was only rescued by the police after shooting in the air. The group allegedly comprised supporters of area MP Emmanuel Dombo, who was also contesting for district leadership. The returning officer, Mr Joshua Nekole called off the polls and left the scene.
In Pallisa District, although Health Minister Stephen Mallinga beat Mr Sulaiman Bujumbi, for the top seat in the district, the polls delayed after it emerged that the minister allegedly ferried delegates to an unknown place and brought them at midday to vote in his favour.
In Kapchorwa District, the polls were marred by confusion during nominations of candidates for the post of the district party chairman. Mr Herbert Sabila, the Tingey MP and Dr Steven Chebrot, a former member of the Health Service Commission were in the race.
Confusion
Confusion raged after supporters of Mr Sabila demanded that Dr Chebrot be disqualified over his failure to get an acceptance letter from President Museveni after resigning from the Health Service Commission.
During the confusion, Dr Chebrot’s supporters also demanded that Mr Sabila be disqualified because he was convicted of corruption by the Anti-Corruption Court early this year. They argued that Mr Sabila was not fit to represent district at the NRM Delegates Conference.
Mr Sabila was early this year convicted of corruption after he reportedly attempted to bribe officers from the Inspector General of Government. The situation worsened fter the NRM Administrative Secretary in Kapchorwa District, Mr Athens Somikwo declared Mr Sabila the district chairperson yet both candidates had agreed to resolve the conflict in line with party regulations. Police rescued Mr Somikwo from a mob that wanted to lynch him.
In Tororo District, polls failed to take place after the two counties of Budama (for Japadhola) and Tororo County [for Iteso] failed to agree on the candidate after it emerged that the people of Tororo County demanded for their own district so that they could have a separate chairman. The other districts like Mbale, Moroto, Abim, Napak, the polls were called off due to problems that ranged from late arrival of voting materials, and complaints irregularities
Women protesters storm State House
Women from the Interparty Cooperation yesterday vented their anger against the Electoral Commission by placing flyers denouncing the EC boss, Badru Kiggundu, at the State House gate in Nakasero. Some flyers read “Say no to Kiggundu”, “Fire Kiggundu for free and fair elections” .
Soldiers at the gate looked on as the women chanted anti-Museveni and anti-Kiggundu slogans, accusing them of conspiring to rig the 2011 elections. The group was commanded by Forum for Democratic Change Women league chairperson, Ingrid Turinawe and her deputy, Nyakato Rusoke.
“The reason why we have dumped these anti-Kiggundu flyers at the entrance to the State House is to show the boss that we are tired of him and that we want him out,” said Ms Lillian Masia, one of the 33 women who participated in the demonstration.
Court case
Earlier, the same group had appeared before Buganda Road Court to answer charges of unlawful assembly but the trial magistrate was absent, forcing court to adjourn the case to August 27.
“No magistrate, no witness, no court and we cannot do anything in this country,” said Ms Resty Nakitende, who was later arrested and taken to CPS with her one -year-old baby.
As the women moved towards IPC offices on Katonga Road, they were intercepted by four police trucks with anti-riot offcials. Four of them were arrested but the other 26 disbanded, and later converged at Plot 6 Katonga Road, where they engaged police in a cat-and-mouse game.
Anticipating more chaos, police sealed off Katonga Road disrupting traffic to Hannington, Kyadondo and Yusuf Lule roads. Mr Moses Kafeero, the Kampala South Police commander, who is expected in court next week to answer charges of stuffing the mouth of an opposition women’s leader with pepper spray, offered to mediate.
Mr Ewan Patrick, the anti-Riot police commander said the Force had successfully blocked the women from marching to the Electoral Commission offices on Jinja Road.
“We got information that these women, with their T-shirts on, were trying to march towards the EC offices; that is why we moved in to stop them,” Mr Ewan said yesterday.
There was excitement as FDC president Kizza Besigye arrived at Katonga Road. The women narrated their ordeal to him as anti-riot police looked on from a distance. “Which crime does one commit by wearing a T-shirt with words that demand a free and fair election?” Dr Besigye asked.
The women on Tuesday staged country-wide anti-EC demonstrations, which left about 62 arrested. Some were charged with holding an unlawful assembly while others were released without charge.
Soldiers at the gate looked on as the women chanted anti-Museveni and anti-Kiggundu slogans, accusing them of conspiring to rig the 2011 elections. The group was commanded by Forum for Democratic Change Women league chairperson, Ingrid Turinawe and her deputy, Nyakato Rusoke.
“The reason why we have dumped these anti-Kiggundu flyers at the entrance to the State House is to show the boss that we are tired of him and that we want him out,” said Ms Lillian Masia, one of the 33 women who participated in the demonstration.
Court case
Earlier, the same group had appeared before Buganda Road Court to answer charges of unlawful assembly but the trial magistrate was absent, forcing court to adjourn the case to August 27.
“No magistrate, no witness, no court and we cannot do anything in this country,” said Ms Resty Nakitende, who was later arrested and taken to CPS with her one -year-old baby.
As the women moved towards IPC offices on Katonga Road, they were intercepted by four police trucks with anti-riot offcials. Four of them were arrested but the other 26 disbanded, and later converged at Plot 6 Katonga Road, where they engaged police in a cat-and-mouse game.
Anticipating more chaos, police sealed off Katonga Road disrupting traffic to Hannington, Kyadondo and Yusuf Lule roads. Mr Moses Kafeero, the Kampala South Police commander, who is expected in court next week to answer charges of stuffing the mouth of an opposition women’s leader with pepper spray, offered to mediate.
Mr Ewan Patrick, the anti-Riot police commander said the Force had successfully blocked the women from marching to the Electoral Commission offices on Jinja Road.
“We got information that these women, with their T-shirts on, were trying to march towards the EC offices; that is why we moved in to stop them,” Mr Ewan said yesterday.
There was excitement as FDC president Kizza Besigye arrived at Katonga Road. The women narrated their ordeal to him as anti-riot police looked on from a distance. “Which crime does one commit by wearing a T-shirt with words that demand a free and fair election?” Dr Besigye asked.
The women on Tuesday staged country-wide anti-EC demonstrations, which left about 62 arrested. Some were charged with holding an unlawful assembly while others were released without charge.
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