The more ex-premier Amama Mbabazi maintains grave-like silence, keeping his cards closer to his chest, the more he leaves his supporters guessing on his next move -with some now questioning whether he ever harbored genuine political ambitions or whether his plans have been neutralized once and for all.
A long-simmering dispute between Mbabazi and President Museveni- his decades-long ally, was slowly laid bare beginning with the October 2014 closure of the National Bank of Commerce and the subsequent passing of a resolution endorsing Museveni as the party’s sole candidate in 2016.
The resolution by and large caught Mbabazi flat-footed. He has since remained mute-occasionally insisting that he cannot run against Museveni while also occasionally saying he will announce his next move at the right time.
His youth troops have been scattered by Museveni’s stick and carrot approach; today they are holed up in Luzira on charges of abuse of [NRM] office, tomorrow they are hobnobbing with the President in his luxury vehicles traversing his upcountry farm in Kisozi on another day.
But as Mbabazi drags his feet over his next move, the NRM is not resting on its laurels as this week it released its roadmap to 2016-stating that nominations for Presidential candidates will take place on October 5 and 6 while Parliamentary candidates will be nominated on November 9 and 10.
His one bargaining chip is the NRM voters register which the party has been fighting over with his daughter-Nina Mbabazi over a Shs 6b.NRM will thus undertake fresh registration of voters to compile a new voter’s register at a higher cost than giving Nina’s Shs 6b.
And with the release of the Roadmap-the ball is in Mbabazi’s court; make or break time. But how will Mbabazi play the ball?
The Roadmap come amid a warming up between Mbabazi and top Opposition politicians.
He has also been in talks with top Opposition politicians. Founding Forum for Democratic Change President Kizza Besigye and Democratic Party president Norbert Mao have both admitted in interviews to having met pro-Mbabazi elements.
The Eagle Online understands FDC President Maj Gen (rtd) Mugisha Muntu has also conferred with Mbabazi.But sources close to the General say he is very skeptical with anything Mbabazi.
But with Mbabazi finding it a tall order convincing his newly found peers in the Opposition that he is marketable to the electorate, Mbabazi is likely to content with stepping in the plate of his erstwhile comrades in the ruling party.
Mbabazi’s not-so-beautiful past with the NRM have thickened the hearts of Opposition faithful to him being on the ballot. Besigye enthusiasts think he formed the thinking caps of regime functionaries that fiddled with the results in the 2001 race. Mbabazi was also the legal cook of unfriendly legislations-with an eye on Opposition political activities. They have never buried that hatchet.
He will thus be willing to begrudgingly throw his weight behind an Opposition candidate.
The army has warned the former Coordinator intelligence agencies, Gen David Sejusa for making controversial political statements.
Gen Sejusa, who returned from exile in December last year in London, held a meeting on Tuesday with the opposition Democratic Party and called for boycott of the 2016 general elections if the proposed electoral reforms are not implemented.
But the army spokesperson, Lt Col Paddy Ankunda said Gen Sejusa would not be allowed to continue making political statements since he is still a serving army officer.
“We will consult with the Commander-in-Chief over the issue because this is indiscipline,” Ankunda said.
The opposition has proposed a number of electoral and constitutional reforms including allowing Ugandans in the diaspora to vote and review the recruitment of electoral commissioners.
Currently, the incumbent president appoints members of the commission, which the opposition says the current is unfair. But government has been opposed to some reforms like reviewing of recruitment of commissioners.
Col Ankunda said they would consult President Museveni and decide on the fate of the maverick military who has applied to retire from the from military and join politics but the army has been noncommittal about his request to retire.
Col Ankunda gave the warning to Gen Sejusa at the decoration ceremony of two army officers, James Mugira and Nakibus Lakara in Mbuya, the Military Headquarter. The two officers were promoted to the rank of major general on Saturday.
Gen Sejusa said if Museveni ignored the calls for reform, the opposition could be justified to boycott the elections. He, however, said an election boycott would still favour Museveni.
Packing for customers on major shopping malls and supermarkets in the Kampala city remained a challenge as the directive from the Prime Minister to post pone the implementation of polythene bags (buveera) ban hit a snag.
Many of these shopping centres opted to the use of paper bags and empty boxes to pack the commodities and other items. However, the ban brightened business for some people who quickly adjusted and rushed into making paper bags that sold out like hotcakes.
National Environment Management Authority issued a public notice with effect from 15th April to ban the use of Polythene bags. Despite the numerous efforts to implement bans against buveera since 2012, all have been in vain.
The campaign aims at protecting the environment from pollution as well as promoting good health habits. The cooks in congested areas of down town that use polythen bags to cover food do not know about the health dangers associated with that.
One of the managers at Mega Supermarket, who only revealed his identity as George said, “We are waiting for the government’s final meeting with NEMA officials.”
He further expressed concern about the immediate action as unfair since they still have many Buveeras in stock. “The buveeras are worth Shs50 million because the small ones are sold at Shs8000 and big ones at Shs3500 a pack. We need a grace period for like a period of 3 months so that the stock gets out quickly and an alternative put in place for paper bags,” said George.
However this comes as good news to some youth that have been involved in making paper bags to earn a living. John Luswata, who makes paper bags and crafts to customers, sees this as an opportunity to broaden his market besides the supermarkets. “Some customers will want bags that are reusable to use in the markets than having to buy one all the time,” Luswata said.
The PM adjourned the campaign after he met up with Representatives of Uganda Manufacturers’ Association (UMA) and Kampala City Traders’ Association (KACITA) on Tuesday to discuss on the welfare of businesses at the moment. However NEMA defied this and went ahead to kick start the campaign.
A picture taken in South Africa recently during the on-going clashes shows two South African policemen, with one of the law enforcers, see arrow, seemingly laughing at the burning victim. NET PHOTO
A picture taken in South Africa recently during the on-going clashes shows two South African policemen, with one of the law enforcers, see arrow, seemingly laughing at the burning victim. NET PHOTO
Describes action as a shameful assault on our humanity
The African National Congress condemns attacks on immigrants describing the action as criminal and shameful assault on our humanity.
At least five foreigners, including a 14-year-old boy, have been killed in attacks in South Africa’s coastal city of Durban since last week.
”Regardless of the cause of these barbaric deeds, the African National Congress regards them as criminal acts against vulnerable and defenseless people who have sought refuge, solace and economic prosperity in our country.
Resolutely as a nation we must condemn in the strongest possible terms attacks on anyone of the basis of their geographic origins. As we celebrate 21 years of freedom this month, we do so knowing that this freedom should be shared and owned by the peoples of Africa as whole; many of whom come from countries who were nothing but friends to the South African people during our dark days of apartheid brutality. These unpardonable attacks against them are a shameful assault our very humanity.” Reads part of the statement signed by Zizi Kodwa National Spokesperson African National Congress.
Some foreign-owned shops in the main city Johannesburg have shut amid fears that the violence could spread.
Zimbabwe has also condemned the attacks, blamed on locals who accuse foreigners of taking their jobs.
Tens of thousands of foreigners, mostly from other African states and Asia, have moved to South Africa since white-minority rule ended in 1994. Many countries have started evacuating their citizens and notable among them is Malawi, BBC has reported.
At least 62 people died in xenophobic attacks that swept South Africa in 2008.
Below is the ANC Statement
Over the last couple of weeks our nation has been engulfed in a shameful wave of attacks by some amongst us against our country`s immigrant population. Regardless of the cause of these barbaric deeds, the African National Congress regards them as criminal acts against vulnerable and defenseless people who have sought refuge, solace and economic prosperity in our country.
Resolutely as a nation we must condemn in the strongest possible terms attacks on anyone of the basis of their geographic origins. As we celebrate 21 years of freedom this month, we do so knowing that this freedom should be shared and owned by the peoples of Africa as whole; many of whom come from countries who were nothing but friends to the South African people during our dark days of apartheid brutality. These unpardonable attacks against them are a shameful assault our very humanity.
As South Africans, the far vast majority of whom are deeply rooted in values of humanity, solidarity and brotherhood, we are forced to once again hang our heads in shame in the face of these misguided and misplaced assaults. The very real challenges faced by the South African people of poverty, unemployment and underdevelopment cannot be blamed on people of foreign nationality.
We are aware of the concerns raised by small business owners in particular as it relates to what they perceive to be the negative consequences of the presence of immigrants in their communities. This is one of the reasons the ANC government established the Department of Small Business Development amongst other interventions to ensure focused attention on the pressing challenges facing this sector.
Attacking our African compatriots will not resolve the problem. Long before the influx of people from other parts of Africa into South Africa, our country has battled with an unequal society as a legacy of our exclusionary and racist past. Immigrants are not the enemy. Their suffering too is as a result of our continent`s shared legacy of a colonial and apartheid past.
The African National Congress is appealing to communities throughout the length and breadth of our country to desist from these barbaric acts which feed into a narrative of a violent society, devoid of revolutionary compassion to our fellow human beings. We are calling on leadership wherever they may be, as well as on our communities, to exercise maximum restraint and guard against instigating further violence. The law enforcement agencies must act without any fear or favor to halt this state of affairs and bring all transgressors to book. It is not the role of or communities to violently police the legality or lack thereof of those who reside amongst us. Government, including the South African Police Services, are dealing with these matters to find lasting solutions.
Ours is a nation that has faced and defeated the very worst of human brutality during apartheid, our people cannot be the ones to inflict such heinous cruelty on our fellowmen. The African National Congress expresses its sincere condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives during this period of unpardonable acts of violence. We further trust that government working together with civil society and our communities will ensure that soon conditions are created to reintegrate those who have been displaced.
Kampala -The American government has banned senior Ugandan army officers including a brigadier from travelling to America or participating in American military activities for alleged human rights abuses, military sources say. Most of those blacklisted military officers have previously or are currently working with military intelligence, which has in the past been accused of running illegal safe houses used to torture civilians.
Among those are Brig Leopold Kyanda, the former Military intelligence boss and the current UPDF Chief of Staff Land Forces. Although Brig Kyanda was sent to America as a military attaché after a two-year stint as CMI boss in 2008, American government did not block his appointment to avoid diplomatic spat with Uganda, which is the US main military ally in the region. According to Eagle Online investigations, Brig. Kyanda was recently scheduled to attend a military workshop in Nairobi sponsored by American government but the American embassy in Kampala said he was “not suitable” to attend the conference because of his “poor human rights record” when he was still CMI boss. “The list includes both the army and police officers,” the source said.
As CMI boss between 2005 and 2008, it’s alleged that Brig. Kyanda run and maintained safe houses in Kololo and Muyenga, Kampala suburbs that were used as torture chambers. Other officers on the list include; Col. Herbert Mbonye, the current deputy CMI boss, Lt .Col. Sande, former Joint Anti-Terrorism Task Force (JAT) boss, Maj. Asiimwe and Maj. Mugarura. These officers have previously worked or are currently working with CMI. In response to the ban, the American embassy Public Affairs Officer in Kampala, Daniel Travis, said it’s not American government policy to comment on such sensitive issues. He, however, said American government doesn’t provide assistance to individuals or military units that have committed gross human rights abuses.
When contacted UPDF publicist, Lt. Col. Paddy Ankunda said he wasn’t aware of any UPDF soldier being banned from travelling to America.
Daniel Travis’ full response: “Consistent with US Law and policy, all US embassies vet assistance to foreign security agencies, as well as certain Department of Defence training programs, to ensure that recipients have not committed gross human rights abuses. We do not provide assistance to individuals or units where the vetting process uncovers credible information of human rights violations. If that assistance requires to the United States, individuals and units that have committed gross violations of human rights abuses, are not eligible for travel. As a matter of policy, we do not comment on whether or not individuals from any given country are eligible for such programs”.
The Platform to Rescue Uganda in its National Governing Council meeting, which sat on April 11, 2015, took a decision that PRU executive will visit the headquarters of all other political parties including that of the NRM.
That is intended to achieve the following things
Establish a rapport among all groups that share the same mission and purpose.
To share our vision for the future and present our way forward to other compatriots so that an earnest debate on real concrete issues can begin
Try to give wanaichi hope that there is serious work going on and request them to be part of this mass movement now taking shape.
The visit
We were welcomed warmly by over 13 DP members of both the DP National Council, NEC and district chairmen from northern region, eastern region, western region and Buganda region. They were all led by the National Chairman of the Democratic Party and Jinja Mayor Haji Muhammad Kezaala. Also present were the party Secretary General Mr Mathias Nsubuga Mpuga, the DP Publicity Secretary Mr Kenneth Kakande. Youth leaders and other dignitaries on its part, the Platform to Rescue Uganda was led by its National Coordinator, Gen. David Sejusa. He was accompanied by all the chairmen of the TEN political parties and other prominent individuals who now form PRU. The reception was warm and the respect mutual.
The following points came up and can be shared for public consumption. The rest we shall communicate as we go along, as they form the basis of the ongoing debate.
DP AFRIENDLY FORCE AND KEY STRATEGIC ELEMENT:
Democratic Party is not only a friendly force in thestruggle for justice and freedoms, but is actually a key strategic component in struggle to save Uganda. This is because of its history, consistency, versatile support base and clean leadership.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE PROBLEM?
That all forces, including DP, need to search for a reason why they have not ended the dictatorship so far. What are the drawbacks? What new thing is being done now which will ensure different results?
THE CURRENT LEGAL, POLITICAL AND ORGANASATIONAL SET UP NOT DESIGNED TO CREATE VIABLE OPPOSITION:
Note that the current legal and political setup under the NRM is not intended to produce viable opposition parties but rather weak, confused and perennially starved of funds. It is still a hangover from the one party state in Uganda right from 1986 to 2005. The change has been in name but not in THE INNER DYNAMCS OF ORGANSATION, OPERATION, RESOURCE AQUISITION AND EVEN GENERAL OUTLOOK. They are designed to look inferior to NRM to give the impression that they are weak. But this can be reversed if understood and deliberately worked on.
Therefore, as the opposition parties, including all those silent allies in NRM, start now to serious reposition ourselves in the middle of the new resistance against the dictatorship,we must also start thinking about organising OUTSIDE THE NARROW FRAMEWORK PROVIDED BY THE DICTATORSHIP. We need to extend the operational horizons as permitted by the Ugandan Constitution.
NATURE OF STRUGGLE
It was agreed that the nature of struggle today is different both in form, content and mission. In the state Uganda is in today, it goes beyond the struggle for democratic governance and rule of law. It goes to the foundation of our very existence as a people and Uganda as united viable country.
The struggle is to save the state and ourselves before the implosion like that in all those countries around us engulfs us. It will because the building blocks for it are already here with us. Otherwise doing nothing will easily let MrMuseveni go down with country.
PRU POSITION ON STRENGTH OF INDIVIDUAL PARTIES BEFORE UNITY:
As stated earlier, PRU is for strong versatile opposition parties. It does not believe in the cannibalisation of cadres from existing parties for the new ones. This weakens those you cannibalise without making you stronger either. For we do not have the time, nor the skill to quickly integrate them. The end result of such an approach would be to create a weak end product overall and this must be reject.
The correct approach should be for all to work together, share talent, ideas, strategiesand tactics and share means (resources) where necessary. We cannot defeat the oppressor when we fight among ourselves. In Second World War, the allies shared intelligences, talent, strategies etc until they defeated the Nazis.
UNITY:
Unity as a principle and concept is a SINE QUA NON (indispensable) in the struggle that requires a critical match todecisively TILT THE BALANCE OF POWER AGAINST THE DICTATORSHIP. Therefore unity must be to bring together neither strength nor weakness. WEAKENESS + WEAKNESS = WEAKNESS- 0+ 0 = 0.
We need, therefore, to build strong individual capacities as parties and organisations so that when we ultimately unite for action, we are a hotbed of power, better organisation, better facilities, but above all, a harmonised approach in terms of message, strategy and tactics. These make impossible for the oppressor to survive.
THE QUESTION OF NRM BREAKING THE LAW
NRM is not above the law. It must operate within the confines of the law. Therefore, where it breaks the law, for example, by fielding an illegal candidate , like the one whose years offend the provisions of the constitution, the people of Uganda shall reject it using their constitutional provisions, and if need be they will defend the constitution by popular action.
NRM and its members are not above the law and Ugandans will hold them accountable so that they fulfil every legal requirement.
There other areas of working committees to be set up and other in-house matters. To these, we leave for future communication. We are all delighted that the political forces have started discussing the viable option available to us, e.g., whether toparticipate in an election which you know has been stolen? Boycott it and allow the oppressor to field small parties to win it hands down? Or organise and acquire enough capacity to stop Parliament from helping in the rigging. And if they persist and become part of the problem and therefore a legitimate target for the liberation forces, what capacity and capabilities do we require to put in place?
These and others are now occupying our minds and the public shall be kept informed.
The National Environmental Management Authority (Nema), has this Wednesday morning announces the start of reinforcing the ban on the production, use of polythene bags (Kaveera) in an effort to save the environment.
Nema Public Relations Officer, Naomi Karekaho says the operation start this morning with supermarkets and shopping malls within and on the outskirts of the city.
However, Nema’s position comes just a day after the Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda that he had engaged the environment watchdog and agreed to postpone the operations until an agreed position with manufacturers is reached.
Nema is to implement ban on polythene bags of less than 30 microns (mainly used for conveyance of goods and liquids.
Nema is reinforcing the ban with the help of KCCA, Police and other security agencies.
Kampala-Former Army Spokesperson, Col. Shaban Bantariza has said that despite the suffering he was under during the trial in General Court Martial, he has forgiven all those who plotted to bring him down.
“I am happy that I am out but the most important thing is that I will use this acquittal to reach out to those who were behind the suffering. They should know that when you allege, you have to prove and in this case they failed to prove” Col. Bantariza told Eagle Online.
He has been acquitted of five charges of fraud that were preferred against him by the general Court Martial.
GCM in 2013 preferred the charges against Bantazira who was then serving as the Deputy Executive Director of the Uganda Media centre. Col. Bantariza was accused of having committed the crimes while serving as Director of National Leadership Institute Kyakwanzi. Some of the cases that were brought against him include alleged forgery, conspiracy to defraud, mistreatment of a subordinate and the diversion of 500 liters of fuel meant for the institute.
Another claim is that he received a tractor as a donation and purported to have bought it for Shs67m. But in his submission Col. Bantariza has denied the charges.
Out of the six state witnesses lined up, prosecution led only one witness Capt. Edson Muheirwoha to prove, among other things, that the Shs 67m was withdrawn from the safe after the payment voucher was filled by him.
In his ruling, GCM chairman, Maj. Gen Levy Karuhanga said the burden of proof was upon those prosecuting Bantariza to show evidence and as such, those accusing him had failed.
Hundreds of mourners have gatherd to pay their last respects to fallen News anchor Rosemary Nankabirwa who succumbed to cancer on Sunday. She had been flown to Agha Khan hospital after friends and fans contributed over 110million on Saturday.
It was a sorrowfullafternoon today at All saints chapel as mourners joined to pay their last respects to Nankabirwa.
Laying in a brown casket that had a jesus on the cross crest, Nankabirwa;s body was wheeled amid sobbs from friends and relatives by Uganda Funeral services staff into the church where she would be prayed for.
Monsignor Gerald Kalumba, the service’s main preacher urged mourners to emulate Nankabirwa. Monsignor kalumba said the Rose was a very staunch believer and a woman of faith. “One of the priests met Rose in church in london, he was so surprised, not many young girls go to church these days,” he narrated. “She never lost hope and she would call me for holy communion even when she was in pain”
Monsignor Gerald Kalumba
Rose’s best friend Rhoda made people cry after she narrated how rose was a strong woman. She said Rose was a believer. “Rose was singing while on the plane. She left me a message that we should love one another,” said teary Rhoda.
Many people from all walks of life attended the service. Among them included Ruth Nankabirwa, represented the government, Jim Muhwezi, Paddy Ankunda and media personalities.
Rosemary Nankabirwa’s bosy will spend a night in Kanyanya where the vigil will be held. She will be burried on Wednesday in Kinoni Masaka.
NTV argues mourners not to blame government for Rose’s death.
Nation television Ntv used the opportunity to exornorate government from Rose’s death. Nelson Muhiirwa, the Ntv Human resource said that the government was not to blame for Rose’s death. “Doctors in the Britain failed but its doctors in Uganda that diagonised and treated her, don’t blame the government.” He said. Muhiirwa’s remarks come after the government was criticised for not providing enough resources for the Mulago Cancer Institute.
Mr Gashumba lays a wreath during Nankabirwa Requiem mass
President Yoweri kaguta Museevein contributed 5million shillings towards Rose’s treatment in the Save Rosemary Nankabirwa fundraising drive.
The Ministry of Health in partnership with Sickle Cell Network Uganda, Makerere University, and Sickle Cell Association of Uganda among other partners will be launching a routine sickle cell screening in all high burden districts in Uganda.
The launch will kick off at Makerere University Freedom Square on April 16, 2015 from 11:00am to 4:00 pm. The function will also give an opportunity to people to be screened free of charge.
According to a study conducted by the Ministry of Health together with Makerere College of Health Sciences and Cincinnati Children’s hospital in the US, northern Uganda has the highest prevalence rate. The findings of the study revealed that the region has 18.6% sickle cell trait.
Sickle cell is a genetic blood disorder that affects the haemoglobin within the red blood cells.
