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Will Rukungiri wrestle the presidency from Museveni in 2021?

By
Isaiah Mwebaze
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As the clock slowly ticks away to the 2021 polls, the battle for the presidency is shaping up between Rukungiri and Kiruhura, with President Museveni set to be given a run for his money by two of his former trusted allies.

Even before nominations are opened up, six politicians from Rukungiri have already indicated that they will be challenging President Museveni for the country’s Number One office in next year’s presidential elections.
Lt. Gen.(rtd) Henry Tumukunde’s campaign is already up and running while Col. (rtd) Kizza Besigye is being courted by his party, the Forum for Democratic Change(FDC), to have a shot at the presidency for the fifth time.

Col. Besigye has been coy about his plans for 2021 but, as was the case in 2016, he is known to keep his cards close to his chest and spring a surprise against his political rivals.
Mr Charles Rwomushana, the former Director of Political Intelligence at State House, has also written to the Electoral Commission indicating that he intends to start consultations about running for the presidency.

Youthful politician Moses Byamugisha has also confirmed that he will be running for the presidency. Byamugisha came third in the 2017 race for the FDC presidency.
Mr Ambrose Kyomukama a Kanungu-based trader, and Ms Darlene Kamusiime, another Rukungiri politician, are also toying with the idea of running for the presidency, making up a list of six Rukungiri candidates for the presidency. These come up after the trial of Mr. John Patrick Amama Mbabazi who hails from Kanugungu which was formerly part of the greater Rukungiri contested against Museveni in 2016. Mr. Mbabazi was regarded as one of President Museveni’s inner handlers.

With Gen Tumukunde, Col Besigye, Rwomushana, Byamugisha, Kyomukama and Kamusiime, that means Rukungiri will be fronting four candidates against President Museveni in next year’s election.
Rukungiri is a crucial area in Uganda’s politics as its sons played a crucial role in the 1981-86 Bush War that brought this government to power.

Rukungiri businessmen financially supported the NRA rebels and some fighters have since admitted that the war would have been an uphill task without the logistical support of Rukungiri.
Businessman Garuga Musinguzi and others like John Nsheka, John Kyamatuuku, Salongo Nkumanya, Stephen Tukahirwa, Obadia Muheru, Stephen Banyenzaki and Charles Banya were the financial backers of the NRA war.
Suffice to note that on the night before the February 6th 1981 attack on Kabamba barracks, NRA rebels led by Mr Museveni met at Mathew Rukikaire’s house in Makindye, another critical contribution from the son of Rukungiri.

Rukungiri also contributed fierce fighters like the late Aronda Nyakairima,Col Kizza Besigye,Maj Gen Jim Muhwezi and Lt Gen Henry Tumukunde.
As a member of the Nairobi-based NRA External Wing, Former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi was also very critical in mobilising resources to bolster the fighting forces.
However, most of those who contributed to the Bush War have since broken ranks with President Museveni, accusing him of betraying the ideals that inspired the war.

Col Besigye, Lt Gen Tumukunde, Mr Mbabazi, Mr Rukikaire and tycoon Garuga all do not look eye to eye with Gen Museveni and desperately want him out of the presidency.
In next year’s election, Mr Museveni will face the full wrath of the people of Rukungiri.
In the 2018 by-elections for the Rukungiri Woman MP, Mr Museveni got a sneak peek of what awaits him in 2021.
Mr Museveni was so desperate to win the election that he poured over Shs 2b into disparate groups in the district, as a sweetener for them to vote for the NRM candidate-Mrs Winnie Matsiko.
Mr Museveni and Mrs Matsiko were, however, humiliated as FDC’s Betty Muzanira polled 50,611 votes against Matsiko’s 46,379 votes.

That loss was particularly painful to Mr Museveni as he had camped in Rukungiri for days in a frantic attempt to humiliate Dr Besigye in his own backyard.
In next year’s elections, Mr Museveni will face the unfamiliar challenge of Lt Gen Tumukunde.
Lt Gen Tumukunde comes with the advantage of understanding the system inside out, having been the oil that run the NRM machinery in the 2016 elections.

That explains why Mr Museveni panicked when Lt Gen Tumukunde declared that he would be running for the presidency and arrested him.
In Col Besigye, Mr Museveni will face a seasoned opposition politician whose national appeal is guaranteed.

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Kabuleta to run for President

By
Isaiah Mwebaze
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Mr. Joseph Kabuleta

Veteran sports journalist Joseph Kabuleta has announced that he will challenge President Museveni for the presidency in next year’s elections.

Addressing a press conference this afternoon, the sports journalist turned Pastor indicated that his campaign will be based on the financial liberation of Ugandans, arguing that whereas Uganda has half of the entire arable land in East Africa, citizens have not benefited from it.

“I am here on the ticket of financial integrity. The next few years are going to be the most important in time in the history of Uganda. I am coming with a message of money for the people of Uganda. This is going to be a big movement,”Mr Kabuleta said.

Mr Kabuleta added that: “There are many people who are going to stand (for presidency) but mine is for the financial liberation of the people”
Mr Kabuleta also said that many people up there who extremely wealthy and weigh money rather than count it whereas down are people who are desperate, a cycle he promised to break.

Mr Kabuleta’s bid for the presidency comes after he was arrested and charged with offensive communication and cyber harassment following writings he posted on social media dismissing President Museveni’s son Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s suspected presidential ambitions.

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Take petition against Bagyenda, Kasekende to Police, State House-says Judiciary

By
Our Reporter
-
Embattled former Executive Director in charge of Supervision at Bank of Uganda Justine Bagyenda.

High Court has directed a private citizen who filed a petition against three former top officials of the Bank of Uganda to take his petition to either the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), State House’s Anti-Corruption Unit or the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).

Justice Lawrence Gidudu, the Head of the Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court, wrote to Mr Kakuru Sam Brian, acknowledging receipt of his petition against former deputy Governor Louis Kasekende, Ms Justine Bagyenda, the former director of commercial banks supervision at BoU, and Mr Benedict Sekabira, the Director for Financial Markets Development Coordination (FMDC) at BoU.

The petition demanded that action be taken against the three officials over their role in the irregular closure of Crane Bank-which was Uganda’s biggest commercial bank then.
In his letter, Justice Gidudu indicated that the Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court is a court of criminal cases that does not receive petitions but receives charge sheets and indictments preferred by the DPP or IGG for prosecution.

“Our advice is for you to deliver your petition and supporting documents to either of the following officers which may be convenient for you. The Anti-Corruption Unit of State House, The IGG, The DPP and the directorate of CIID. Perhaps, I should add that you could serve the petition to more than one of the above institutions, should you feel able to do so,” Justice Gidudu wrote in his response.

Justice Gidudu added that the Anti-Corruption Court is a neutral forum for adjudicating corruption and corruption-related cases.

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Lee Man-hee Writes a Letter regarding Shincheonji Members’ Plasma Donation: “Freeing the World through Our Blood”

By
Our Reporter
-

Chairman Lee Man-hee of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (Shincheonji), sent a message to thank the Shincheonji members in Daegu who decided to donate their plasma needed in developing COVID-19 (novel coronavirus infection) vaccine.

Shincheonji stated on the 29th that Chairman Lee sent a one-page letter on an A4 paper on the 27th to thank the members. Through the letter titled, “To the beloved members of Daegu Church,” Chairman Lee said, “I was delighted upon hearing the news of your intent to actively participate in donating plasma (blood) for the development of the vaccine for the cure of COVID-19. I believe that you are the ones who received the blood of Jesus.”

He added, “I am very thankful to the government, which took charge of preventing the spread of COVID-19 and providing treatment for it. This is not something our church could resolve,” and, “I know that you [Shincheonji members in Daegu] have gathered your hearts in our collective wish to free all the people of the world from the pains of this disease.”

Chairman also stated through this message, “This is the work that needs to be done as citizens of this country and as true believers. It is keeping the command of Jesus of loving your neighbor as yourself (Mt 22:39), and I am thankful that you have gathered your hearts for this good work and in making this decision that is like the light,” and, “Let us all pray in the name of Jesus to exterminate COVID19 (Refer to Jn14:13-14).”

According to a statement released by the Korea Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention on the 23rd, Shincheonji Church in Daegu and Green Cross came to an agreement for the members’ plasma donation after discussion. There were 6,901 confirmed cases in Daegu at that point, with Shincheonji members accounting for 61.8% with 4,265 people who were confirmed to have contracted COVID-19. They were tested in the early days of the pandemic, and most of them have fully recovered since then. 

While it has been difficult to find plasma donors, Shincheonji members’ mass plasma donation can speed up the COVID-19 vaccine development process.
Shincheonji members had been facing public criticism that they caused mass COVID-19 infection in the beginning when the virus started to spread. Shincheonji explained, ““It seems that Chairman wants to thank the government for treating our members, while also thanking Daegu Church for volunteering to repay the government’s effort with plasma donation.”

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DP to Parliament: Engage with EC to reconsider its decision to hold scientific elections

By
Geoffery Serugo
-
Democratic party publicist Fred Mwesigwa.

The Democratic Party (DP) has urged Parliament to engage with the Electoral Commission over scientific elections which they allege intend to suffocate constitutional rights of Ugandans of having free, fair and credible elections.

Speaking at Party headquarters, DP press secretary, Fred Mwesigwa said elections cannot just be reduced to the act of casting ballots. Earlier this month, the chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Justice Simon Byabakama revealed that the 2021 elections will be held digitally in a bid to curb the spread of the deadly Covid-19 pandemic.

“Elections must provide for active engagements between the voters and those seeking to be elected to public offices. The infrastructure for digital campaigns is inadequate in most areas in the country and even where they may be available, they are too costly and inaccessible for various reasons.” Mwesigwa said

He said that the same government which has insisted that #COVID-19 is so grave is why public gatherings, including religious gatherings, are banned; it should be the same government to find it necessary to declare a state of emergency in order to allow for flexibility in implementing the election time table.

“We believe that the threat of #Covid-19 is being exaggerated to swindle public funds and rig elections by undermining the will of the people. If indeed the pandemic is as severe as it is said to be, then the proper move is to declare a state of emergency and focus on saving lives instead of a deceitful trade off in the name of ‘scientific elections that may be overrun by the emotions that an election season generates.” He said

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Acting chief justice interdicts deputy registrar over poor standard of work

By
Geoffery Serugo
-
DCJ Alphonse Owiny Dollo

The acting Chief Justice Alfonso Owiny-Dollo has interdicted Deputy Registrar execution and bailiffs division of High Court, Deo Nzeyimana for producing poor standard of work and conducting himself in a manner that is prejudicial to the image, dignity and reputation of the service centrally to section 23 (a) of the judicial service regulation.

His interdiction arises from he issued an ex parte garnishee order absolute in miscellaneous cause no. 1031 of 2020 arising out of Emma no. 1038 of 2019, Arising from ARB cause no. 14 of 2019, Arising from CAD/ARB No. 23 of 2019 of Total Uganda limited Versus A.O Basid Ltd he issued when he had issued an interim order of stay of execution in the same matter on 28th October 2019.

He also accused him of issuing an ex parte garnishee order absolute in miscellaneous cause no. 1031 of 2020 arising out of Emma no. 1038 of 2019, Arising from ARB cause no. 14 of 2019, Arising from CAD/ARB No. 23 of 2019 of Total Uganda limited Versus A.O Basid Ltd in defiance of chief justice’s directives suspending execution proceedings in line with the national directives to curb the spread of Covid-19.

In a letter written by the Acting Chief Registrar Tom Chemutai, the acting chief justice contends that the registrar issued an ex parte without the knowledge of respondent and issued garnishee orders absolute in the same case.

“Therefore in accordance with regulation 25 (1) of Judicial service commission regulation, 2005, I am interdicting you and forwarding you to the judicial service commission for disciplinary action,” reads in part of interdicting letter

“You are directed to handover with immediate effect, any government property and court files to the registrar of high court in accordance with section f-d of the public standing orders.” The acting chief justice said

Dollo ordered that during of the interdiction, Nzeyimana will receive half pay of his monthly salary and restricted from leaving the country without permission from the chief registrar.

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Fill forms for People Power flag-Bobi Wine tells supporters

By
Our Reporter
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Bobi Wine

Kyadondo East Member of Parliament who double as the principal of People Power Movement, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine has urged all Ugandans vying for various elective positions under the political pressure group to fill express of interest forms in the coming two weeks.

Remarking at the unveiling of new People Power members, the singer said forms are available at people power headquarters in Kamwokya and other regional offices.

The movement’s activities are in line with the recently issued electoral roadmap. According to the chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Justice Simon Byabakama, the 2021 elections will be held digitally in a bid to curb the spread of the deadly #Covid-19 pandemic.

“All aspiring candidates will be required to submit their forms in the coming two weeks for them to be screened, vetted and confirmed under the movement’s badge.” Bobi wine said

He warned all individuals purporting to be People Power candidates who have used the movement’s badge without going through the right procedures.

“We are in talks with various opposition political parties in a bid to come up with a joint presidential candidate who will stand against the incumbent president Yoweri Museveni. We want to do it at all levels from presidency to local chairpersons (LC)” he said at Kamwokya.

He insisted that this will not be a scientific election as the Electoral Commission declared. “Other countries have had normal electoral processes during the #Covid-19 period, we hope that we shall have the same here,” he added.

According to the roadmap, political parties will have to elect their flag bearers between June 22 and July 21, 2020. The nomination of those who want to stand for parliament will take place from 12th to 13th of October.

The deadline for resignation of public servants intending to contest for elective positions is set for 12th July 2020 and the polling period for all general elections will be from 10th Jan to 8th February. The exact polling date will be announced after nominations

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Former 1986 bush war fighter Brig.Jackson Bell Tushabe passes on

By
Geoffery Serugo
-
Brig. Bell

The 1986 bush war fighter and sportsman, Brigadier Jackson ‘Bell’ Tushabe, has passed on at Nakasero Hospital. His death was confirmed by the Deputy Spokesperson of Uganda Peoples’Defence Forces Lt. Col. Deo Akiki.

He said the deceased had not been deployed since 1990.

Tushabe was part of the National Resistance Army (NRA) which ushered in president Museveni and his government to power. He served the country in various capacities, including as 4th division commander and vice president in charge of competitions at Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA).

He once owned the defunct Victors football club which won the Uganda Cup and also played in the Caf Confederation Cup.

Some of the notable football stars like Hassan Mubiru, Benjamin Ochan, Ali Kimera, Daniel Sserunkuma, Isaac Katwere and Karim Ndugwa once played for the team.

He also served as the Chairman Super Divisions Clubs Associations (SADCA) and chairman of the Fufa Competitions Committee between 2005 and 2009.

In 2019, he was among officers promoted after his elevation from the rank of Lt. Col. to Brigadier General. His death comes barely a month after the demise of another bush war hero, Brig Kasirye Gwanga and Brig Tumusiime Sikagi.

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MP Ssewanyana arrested

By
Our Reporter
-
Allan Ssewanyana

The Makindye East MP, Allan Ssewanyana has been arrested as he tried to tour around the demolished Kyengeza market in Makindye division. Police averred that the MP was inciting violence as evicted people from the wetland.
In the scuffle, the MP was heard informing people not to look on as police executed its duties. “Don’t sit back as the police demolish your structure. Were as leaders we were not informed about the ongoing demolitions,” he said
Earlier this month the executive director of national environment management authority (NEMA), Dr Tom Okurut ordered people to vacate the wetland as water levels continue to rise in Lake Victoria and the nearby wetlands.
Dr. Okurut’s order follows president Museveni’s last address of July 22nd where he directed all people to vacate wetlands and lake shores over the increasing water levels. The increasing water levels are alluded to the heavy rains experienced during the couple of months.
We contacted Kampala metropolitan police spokesperson Patrick Onyango confirmed the arrest however he didn’t delve into details.

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Four UPDF officers charged with murder of Kasese lay reader

By
Geoffery Serugo
-

The Kasese general court martial has charged four Uganda peoples defence forces (UPDF) officers implicated in the gun down of Benon Nsimenta.
Benon Nsimenta, a lay reader at Kogere Archdeaconry, South Rwenzori was shot dead at Hima village on Wednesday morning as he rode his wife to the garden. Yesterday during Sunday service, Archbishop Stephen Kazimba Mugalu said the deceased was set to be ordained as a reverend.
Appearing before Lt. Col. Felix Nyero, Lt. Talent Akampurira who was the commander of operation, Pte. Jackson Nyero, Pte. Joel Otim and Abraham Lokwap were leveled with murder charges contrary to section 188 and 189 of the Penal Code Act.
According to the charge sheet, the four on June 24, 2020 while at Kikura cell, Kasese district the quartet, with malice aforethought unlawfully caused the death of Benon Nsimenta by shooting.
Nsimenta became the eighth victim to lose his life at the hands of security agencies implementing COVID-19 guidelines over the last 95 days. All the victims were either shot dead or tortured to death by soldiers, police officers or Local Defense Unit officers.

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