Burundi to hold controversial vote despite unrest

By Estella Jones

BUJUMBURA - Burundi's national electoral commission dismissed weeks of violence Sunday and said all was ready a day ahead of key polls in the central African nation that the UN warns should be postponed.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called for the elections due Monday to be delayed after the opposition said they would not take part, as Burundi faces its worst crisis since its civil war ended nine years ago.

"Everything is ready in the country," election commission chief Pierre-Claver Ndayicariye told reporters Sunday, saying all voting material had been delivered to voting centres, with over 11,000 polling stations across the country.

Three people were killed overnight Saturday, adding to the more than 70 killed in weeks of violence and a failed coup sparked by President Pierre Nkurunziza's bid to stay in power for a third term.

One was shot while another was killed in a grenade blast, according to witnesses. A soldier was killed by accident by a comrade during a raid on a house.

The opposition on Friday said it was boycotting the polls, claiming it is not possible to hold a fair vote, with over 127,000 people having fled into neighbouring countries, fearing further violence.
Seats stand empty during the press conference of the Independent Electoral Commission of Burundi, on June 28, 2014. Civil society, opposition parties have opted for a boycott of the Parliamentary elections in Burundi. AFP PHOTO/MARCO LONGARI
Parliamentary and local elections are set to be held on Monday, and a presidential vote on July 15.

Boycott 'another way of doing politics

Opponents say his bid for another term is unconstitutional and violates a peace accord that paved the way to end 13 years of civil war in 2006.

"All the opposition have unanimously decided to boycott the elections," said Charles Nditije, a key opposition leader, in a letter signed by all the country's opposition groups to the election commission.

But Ndayicariye said the commission had not received any official notification confirming the withdrawal from the vote, meaning that the election would therefore progress without delay. Votes cast for the opposition would therefore still count, he said.

"This is nothing new in Burundi. In Africa, boycott is another way of doing politics," he said. The opposition boycotted polls in 2010.

Burundi was plunged into turmoil in late April when Nkurunziza launched his drive for a third consecutive five-year term, triggering widespread protests.

Opponents say his bid for another term is unconstitutional and violates a peace accord that paved the way to end 13 years of civil war in 2006.

Civil society groups backed the boycott in a joint statement calling on voters to skip the "sham elections" and urging the international community "not to recognise the validity" of the polls.

"Thousands of Burundians have fled the country, a thousand peaceful demonstrators were arrested, tortured, and are currently languishing in jail," the statement said.

Former colonial power Belgium has said it would not recognise the results of the elections, saying it is "impossible" for the polls to be held in an "acceptable manner".

Criticising the timetable for the polls set by the electoral commission, the opposition said it would not take part until conditions for "peaceful, transparent and inclusive" polls were met.

Former colonial power Belgium has said it would not recognise the results of the elections, saying it was "impossible" that the polls could be held in an "acceptable manner".

The ruling CNDD-FDD's youth wing, the fearsome Imbonerakure whose name means "The Watchmen" or, literally, "Those Who See Far", has been accused by the UN of waging a campaign of intimidation and violence.

Several top officials -- including the deputy vice-president as well as members of the election commission and constitutional court -- have fled the poverty-stricken, landlocked country.

In a letter addressed to Nkurunziza, second vice president Gervais Rufyikiri on Thursday urged the president to "put the interests of the Burundian people before your personal interests."

Businessman jailed for forging President's signature.

By Joan Pounds

BUGANDA Road Chief Magistrate’s Court has remanded a city businessman, Ellady Muyambi, to Luzira prison for forging the President Yoweri Museveni's signature. It is alleged that Muyambi in January 25, 2010, authored a document bearing President Museveni’s names and signature, addressing it to the former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, detailing the problems Uganda was facing. It is purported that in the same letter Muyambi, in the guise of the president, sought for Gaddafi’s help against his (Museveni’s) opponents. Gaddafi died on October 20, 2011 during the battle of Sirte. He was found hiding in a drain west of Sirte and captured by National Transitional Council (NTC) forces. He was killed shortly afterwards. The NTC claimed he died from injuries sustained in a firefight when loyalist forces attempted to free him, although videos of his last moments showed rebel fighters beating him before he was shot several times. Muyambi 39, from Mukubira A Zone Kawempe Division, Kampala is also accused of promoting sectarian ideas among the citizens of Uganda. Court documents alleged that he with others still at large between 2012 and 2015, authored two documents with the intent to promote sectarianism. In one of the supposed documents, he was asking people whether Ugandans understood the President’s real mission or not. He went ahead to allegedly detail how all the government programs are geared towards benefitting the Bantu tribes from Western Uganda. According to the police charge sheet, these words are aimed at inciting sectarian thinking among the other tribes from central, North and Eastern Uganda. The documents were purportedly written from Kiwonvu Zone Kalerwe in Kawempe Division. He was arraigned in court and charged with two counts of promoting sectarianism and forgery, by the grade one magistrate Mary Kaitesi. He denied the charges and was remanded to Luzira prison. Efforts by his lawyer, Charles Nsubuga to secure his bail were futile because he had forgotten to carry his practicing certificate. Muyambi was arrested and detained at the CIID headquarters Kireka on June 8, 2015. Kaitesi has adjourned the matter to July 1 for bail application.

Mbabazi not fit for president, ministers say

By Wesley Spartan

KAMPALA.
Ministers at the weekend came out to slam former prime minister Amama Mbabazi, who declared his presidential bid mid-month, as unsuitable for the topmost office.

Ministers David Bahati (Planning), Muruli Mukasa (Gender) and Evelyne Anite (Youth) while addressing separate gatherings questioned Mr Mbabazi’s public service record.

“Mbabazi is not the change Ugandans want,” Mr Bahati told journalists after a fundraising at the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church in Najjanankumbi, a Kampala suburb, on Saturday. 
The minister was in the company of Youth and Children Affairs minister, Evelyn Anite, NRM national treasurer Rosemary Namayanja, Kampala Central MP Muhammed Nsereko and Col Fred Bogere. A total of Shs30m was raised towards the purchase of land to expand the church premises.

Mr Mbabazi on June 15 released a video “My declaration” on YouTube, signaling his aspiration for the office of President. “It is abundantly clear that what Ugandans want now - what you want is not simply change in leadership but change of systems,” Mr Mbabazi said in his declaration.

But Mr Bahati said the former NRM secretary general has been part of the ruling party and is only trying to take advantage of the system.
“Ugandans need the change that President Museveni has brought in the economy, infrastructure, welfare and livelihood, and not taking advantage of the system,” Mr Bahati said.

However, Ms Josephine Mayanja Nkangi, Mr Mbabazi’s spokesperson said there are many inaccuracies in Mr Bahati’s argument.

“Mr Mbabazi was a prime minister for a few years but the NRM government has been here for 30 years. Therefore, he (Mbabazi) cannot be blamed for failing to bring reforms,” she said.

Yesterday, there was an assemblage of security forces and operatives deployed heavily along the Kampala-Entebbe highway and nearby suburbs, in anticipation of Mr Mbabazi’s return from abroad.

Mr Mbabazi was expected to arrive at Entebbe International Airport by 1pm on Sunday but had not returned by press time.

Right from Kibuye, on Entebbe Road, a contigent of regular police officers, Anti-riot police, Counter Terrorism personnel, Military Police and Traffic Police officers were deployed at every junction.

In a statement released on Saturday, Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura warned that a group of people planned to ferry people on Kampala-Entebbe highway on Sunday for a motive he described as unlawful.

Meanwhile, Youth Minister Ms Anite (Youth) while addressing residents of Kayunga at Kiwangula Primary School in Busaana Sub-county on Friday questioned Mr Mbabazi’s leadership credentials and tagged Mbabazi as a mere ‘conductor’.

“Our party chairman president Yoweri Museveni is still strong so we should give him more time to be in control of our bus. How can you give someone who has been a conductor to drive you when an experienced driver who has been in control of the bus for about 30 years is still around?”Anite asked.

Gender minister Muruli Mukasa who was attending the national governance conference when tasked by youth to explain why the ruling party loathes handing over power after 30 years said: “We shall quit when we shall quit and what will make us quit is the system.

Electoral Commission writes back to Mbabazi

By Estella Jones

The Electoral commission (EC) has acknowledged receipt of notice of intention to conduct consultations by presidential aspirant, Amama Mbabazi.
Mbabazi wrote to EC after declaring his intentions to run for NRM flag bearer and finally as President in the coming 2016 general elections.
EC chairman, Eng Badru Kiggundi, in a letter dated June 18, 2015 advises Mbabazi that while conducting his consultations, the same should be distinguished from distribution of materials, campaigns.
EC also advised against holding rallies and mass meetings as well as canvassing/soliciting for votes envisaged under section 21 and 24 of part V of the Presidential Elections Act, 2005.
“The foregoing activities for purposes of parity and levelling the ground for the election, can only be conducted upon satisfying the provisions of Part IV of the above Act in regard to nominations as candidates for the said election,” reads the letter.
“Please further be guided that the requirements of the Presidential Elections Act 2005 and other applicable laws in regard to the above captioned are complied with,” Kiggundu writes.
“Further guidance on requirements to be complied with under your party/organisation rules, regulations and codes, if any, is advised.”
The letter is copied to the Attorney General and the Inspector General of Police.
If the letter is a genuine document, electoral commission gives green light for consultations.
This comes at the same time NRM Secretary General, Kasule Lumumba, wrote to police informing them of Mbabazi’s activities which need to be regulated.
Analysts say NRM has clearly indicated that police is partisan-pro-NRM and instead of upholding the constitution, the force is busy taking political sides.

You will not hold meetings, Kayihura to Mbabazi

BY Joan Pounds

The Inspector General of Police Gen. Kale Kayihura has blocked former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi from holding consultations and public meetings across the country to publicize his bid for the National Resistance Movement presidency.

Mbabazi has declared his intentions to vie for the ruling party’s top office and consequently contest for presidency in 2016 polls.

Mbabazi wrote to the Electoral Commission and the Police notifying them of his intention to hold public meetings across the country. The meetings were supposed to start on July 15.

In the letter dated June 23, Kayihura told Mbabazi that after consulting the NRM and Electoral Commission, Police found out that his intention to hold public meetings as a prospective Presidential flag bearer of the NRM was illegal.

“I refer to the letter from the Secretary General of the NRM to me and copied to you, dated June 20, 2015 stating the part position on the matter. From the letter, it is clear that your party has neither sponsored nor endorsed you as an aspirant within the meaning of the NRM constitution and law, and that you have no locus stand to hold public meetings as a prospective Presidential flag bearer of the NRM and/or Presidential aspirant and that your aspirations are illegal,” Kayihura noted.

“Accordingly, in view of the above, your programme of public meetings are not cleared by the Police and cannot go ahead as you intended until, as requested by the Chairman of the Electoral Commission, you first harmonized the position in your letter of introduction to the Electoral Commission and that of your party the NRM,” the IGP further noted.

Kayihura also said that there were other issues relating to the requirements of the Public Order Management Act which he would communicate to Mbabazi after he had showed evidence to the police that his intended public meetings are lawful.
The letter was also copied to the Prime Minister, Minister of Internal affairs, Attorney General, Chairperson Electoral Commission, and the NRM Secretary General.

Efforts to get a comment from Mbabazi were futile as his phone went answered. However, his spokesperson Benjamin Alipanga said that they were following the law and that they would go ahead with the meetings.

Burundi's ruling party boycott UN-mediated crisis

By Wesley Spartan

BUJUMBURA - Burundi's ruling party said Tuesday it had boycotted the restart of UN-led talks hoped to broker peace between rival parties following weeks of violence and ahead of elections on Monday.

The troubled central African nation has been in crisis since late April over President Pierre Nkurunziza's controversial bid to stand for a third consecutive five-year term.

This move is branded by opponents as unconstitutional and a violation of a 2006 peace deal that ended 13 years of civil war.

Opposition politicians as well as civil society and religious leaders attended the talks, but neither Nkurunziza's CNDD-FDD party or the presidency sent representatives.

"The CNDD-FDD party informs the national and international community that its priority is the continuation of its election campaign," party president Pascal Nyabenda said.

"The CNDD party therefore wishes to communicate that it will not participate in dialogue during this period," he added, calling it a diversion "aimed to disrupt the elections."

Parliamentary elections are planned for June 29, ahead of the presidential vote on July 15.

Interior Minister Edouard Ndiwumana, the government representative to the talks, also did not appear.

A new UN mediator, Senegalese diplomat Abdoulaye Bathily, arrived in Burundi on Sunday after his predecessor Said Djinnit quit when civil society leaders accused him of bias.

Burundi's opposition, which has said that fair polls are not possible because independent media have been shut down and many opponents have fled the country, accuses the president of trying to force a vote regardless of the crisis.

Last week, the Burundian human rights group Aprodeh said that at least 70 people have been killed, 500 wounded and more than 1,000 jailed since late April, when the opposition took to the streets to protest Nkurunziza's bid to remain in power.

More than 100,000 people have fled the violence to neighbouring countries.

Nkurunziza survived a coup attempt last month and has since faced down international pressure, including aid cuts, aimed at forcing him to reconsider his attempt to stay in power, which diplomats fear could plunge the country back into war.

To Allow or Ban Smart Phones in School

By Joan Pounds

The current crop of officials in the ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Sports admit that they left school with no idea how to turn on a computer.

Indeed, many were helpless each time a donor donated a set of computers, some to be used by their offices. Many had to attend classes where they were taught simple mundane skills such as turning on the computer, opening a document, saving it and printing. Over time, they came across the internet and social media, which many are still uncomfortable with.

The next generation of ministerial officials is currently in school and the debate over whether to be allowed to use smart phones and laptops is raging on.

The debate has been divided between those head teachers virulently opposed to allowing students to use any form of mobile phone in school despite acknowledging their importance, and those who think the devices should be allowed, albeit with some control.

To their credit, the ministry has decreed that information technology (IT) lessons must be conducted at A-level. But not all students are benefitting from these classes, as others are opting for subsidiary Mathematics.

However, to those still in school, the raging debate may not work in their favour. Time is running out and the students are aware that they could be out of place in tomorrow's workplace without the IT skills that come with using smart phones, laptops and iPads to access and use information.

A generation ago, it was unheard of to find a student using a calculator in class. Most worked out their numbers by head, or with the help of logarithm tables and slide rules. Today no one uses these devices; every learner must have a scientific calculator and there is no evidence that they are worse scientists than those that came a generation before.

It is time to actually acknowledge that without allowing smart phones, laptops and Ipads in school, today's generation of teachers are actually letting down tomorrow's workforce.

Today's head teachers need to educate themselves on how the devices work and find a way to combine learning with the use of these digital devices.

There is no doubt that the learning that the teachers are imparting on their students would be greatly enhanced by the use of IT.

If only the teachers knew how to use the same gadgets to help their students, while also reinforcing the age-old skills of self control, the knowledge of consequences of how they behave on social media and so on. The time to end the debate is now. As the debate ends, let us act with haste.

Spain prosecutors want Rwanda spy chief handed over.

By Wesley Spartan

MADRID - Prosecutors in Spain Tuesday called for the head of Rwanda's intelligence service Karenzi Karake to be handed over to Spanish authorities after his arrest in London, a judicial source said.

British police detained the 54-year-old at Heathrow airport on Saturday on a Spanish arrest warrant issued in an investigation of alleged crimes during the Rwanda conflict in the 1990s.

At the National Court, prosecutors asked a judge "to request the authorities to hand him over" to Spain to face terrorism charges, the judicial source told AFP.

The court could not say when the judge was likely to rule on the request.

British police said Karake was due to appear in court in London on Thursday.

The Spanish court launched an investigation in 2008 into allegations of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and terrorism in Rwanda in the 1990s.

It later shelved the first three sets of charges but "the case is still active for the crimes of terrorism" in the case of eight Spanish people killed in Rwanda, the source told AFP.

Karake is part of a circle of top military officers in the former Rwandan Patriotic Front rebel movement.

That force ended the 1994 genocide by Hutu extremists which left an estimated 800,000 people dead, mostly Tutsis. Atrocities were also committed against Hutus.

The Spanish court's listing of Karake followed an investigation into the murder of nine Spaniards in Rwanda between 1994 and 2000 who were working with refugees.

The 2008 charge sheet said that Karake, known in Kigali as "KK", was accused of ordering massacres in an area in which three Spanish citizens working for the charity Medicos del Mundo were also killed.

Sack Museveni as the NRM chairman, youth say.

By Estella Jones

The ruling NRM Poor Youth Forum has petitioned the party’s disciplinary committee to dismiss President Yoweri Museveni as the national chairman.
In the petition dated June 23, 2015, addressed to the Chairman Disciplinary NRM Party, Kampala, Kato Isa (Chief Petitioner) and Poor Youth national coordinator cites five reasons why Museveni must be dismissed.
Abuse of office
The Chairman Mr. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has misused his office of the national Chairperson. He has failed to give clear guidance to the party for example; in the month of Feb 2014 during the retreat of NRM parliamentary caucus at Kyankwanzi leadership institute, the Chairman was at “watch” as members of parliament violating and breaching the NRM party constitution passing a resolution of endorsing Mr. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni as NRM party sole candidate for Presidential elections 2016.
The resolution is illegal, null and void because it contravened with article 39(1), 35(c) and 39(2) of the NRM constitution.
The chairman is aware of all these constitutional articles but the party constitution was breached under his chairmanship.
He failed to give a clear guidance to the honourable members of parliament.
Clique formation and intrigue
The national chairman of NRM has also went ahead to form cliques and promote intrigue within the party.
The chairman using the NRM parliamentary caucus has usurped all the powers of other party organs like the National Conference (NC), National Executive Committee (NEC) and Central Executive Committee (CEC) among others.
The chairman is using the caucus to pass illegal resolutions like the sole candidate resolution. It was adopted by a wrong forum and this tantamounted to the practice of favouritism by giving preferential treatment to any person advantage as defined in section 4 (1k) of the NRM constitution.
Our chairman is held responsible and accountable for presiding over such an unlawful proceeding where the party constitution was violated.
<strong>Failure to give accountability for party funds
Mr. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, our chairman has still failed to account for the income and expenditure of the party.
A case in point is “the movement house project”; at the launch of the project, a lot of money was collected from members at a fundraising ceremony but nothing has ever been put up.
<strong>Incompetence
In performance of his duties, the chairman has failed to perform party activities diligently.
He is likely to be a very busy man with state and Government duties.
He is the Chairman NRM, President of the republic of Uganda, Commander in Chief of the armed forces and other responsibilities at a regional level.
All these are demanding offices.
Our chairman has deliberately weakened the party; he prefers having a weak and poor NRM and having a powerful and rich Museveni.
This has adversely affected the functions of party organs like NC, CEC, NEC, DEC and others.
Their powers have been usurped by the parliamentary caucus that can be easily manipulated.
Request on how to handle Museveni
The youth requested that Museveni be dismissed as National Chairman of NRM party and be held responsible for the atrocities he has committed against NRM.
They also asked the disciplinary committee of the NRM party to summon Mr. Museveni to appear before the committee and investigations be carried against him and in sense of humanity be given an opportunity for a fair hearing.
“That the Chairman of the NRM party steps aside to allow investigations be carried out and to avoid influence peddling.”
Kato called upon members of the NRM and well-wishers to support their petition “to build a strong and sustainable NRM party other than individuals with self-centred interests”.
He says the petition is a representation of the NRM Poor Youth Forum and Members of the NRM party.
Youth allied to Museveni a day back petitioned the disciplinary committee calling for the dismissal of former NRM Secretary General, Amama Mbabazi, from the party.
Supported Youth MP, Evelyn Anite, the pro-Museveni youth accused Amama of causing divisions and weakening the party.
Now pro-Mbabazi youth have fought back.
However, the presidential press secretary, Tamale Mirundi, advised them to first solve the simplest problems like poverty alleviation through wealth creation before they can dare Museveni to be dismissed.

Saving Lives through a Facebook Group

By Wesley Spartan

The Rwenzururu Discussion Board (popularly known as ‘RDB’), is a Facebook group that brings together people from the Rwenzori region of western Uganda.  Started five years ago, it now has over 2,000 members with admission to the group being strictly administered by a group of ten Admins.  Over the past five years, the RDB has positioned itself as a popular brand among people from the Rwenzori region with its insightful discussions on issues affecting the region and beyond.  The group has a viewer traffic of more than 500 people per day.  At least five topics are actively discussed each day.
In February 2015, one of the members who is a Clinician at Bwera Hospital in Kasese district, shared a picture of a severely malnourished child.  Many of the group members were touched by what they saw in the picture.  It opened their eyes to the fact that many people are dying of preventable illnesses while they, as the elite of the community, were spending lots of time on Facebook – chatting, arguing and actually doing nothing.  So they decided to do something about the situation.  They started an online campaign to collect money to support malnourished children. Seventeen group members responded to the call, raising 530,000 shillings.
With that money, they bought a few nutritional supplements to distribute to malnourished children at Bwera and Kilembe hospitals, all in Kasese.  A total of 60 severely malnourished children were identified.  Each of them was given 2 kilograms of nutritive food supplements and a kilogram of sugar.  The RDB members who visited the two hospitals also conducted health education and sensitization in the pediatric wards of the two hospitals. 
Because of what they saw at the hospital, they decided to continue with the initiative, so they committed themselves to contributing small monthly amounts to support the needy.  For this continuous support, they selected three children who were extremely malnourished and at the brink of death.  Unfortunately, one of them died four days later, but the other two have gone on to recover successfully.
In Kilembe Hospital, they were also introduced to a severely malnourished 20-year old pregnant girl, a one Mary.  She was admitted in the Maternity Ward, but she had no one to look after her.  She was severely emaciated; looking at her, she looked like a walking corpse. She reported that she was a total orphan and had lost contact with her relatives. She had nothing to eat, no money to pay her bills, no trace of who had made her pregnant and no one to nurse her.  The members decided to help her.  They nursed her up to the period of giving birth.  She gave birth but remained under intensive monitoring. 
The RDB team negotiated her release from Kilembe Hospital, with the hospital waiving her bills.  One of the RDB members offered to house her at her home.  Unfortunately, after three weeks, Mary’s baby died.   Mary herself remained at the danger of death, but the RDB members did not give up on her.  They committed to contributing monthly amounts to support her as she lives with one of the members.  Through coordinated efforts, Mary is recovering.
In June 2015, the National Organization for Youth Development (NAYODE) joined the RDB in supporting Mary.  They bought for her clothing, food stuffs and other nutritive supplements.  They also donated money to continue supporting her feeding and recovery.  They have promised that once she recovers and gains strength, they’ll include her in their skills development program.
That is the power of social media.  Now a desperate young girl who was orphaned as a child, never went to school, does not even know how Facebook looks like has been saved by Facebook!

Stop early campaigns, Babu tells Museveni and Mbabazi

By Wesley Spartan

Kampala- Captain Francis Babu has asked President Museveni and former prime minister Amama Mbabazi to stop early presidential campaigns.

Capt Babu, a member of the Central Executive Committee (CEC), the second highest decision-making organ of the ruling NRM, told Daily Monitor at the weekend that the road to 2016 elections should be levelled for all people interested in contesting for the various political offices.

According to Capt Babu, it is premature for President Museveni and Mr Mbabazi to be hanging their posters portraying their intentions to stand in 2016 before the Electoral Commission (EC) announces campaign dates.

He also said he had warned police against arresting Mr Mbabazi’s supporters.

I am not happy with the arrests of people donning T-shirts bearing the faces of Dr Kizza Besigye and Mr Mbabazi. I have told police that the method they are using is wrong. They should not arrest people but instead ask them to stop putting on those shirts until the time is ripe,” Mr Babu said in an interview.

He added: “I have even told President Museveni not to put up campaign posters. I am not like others. When I talk to him, I don’t go about singing it. All people should follow the rules. The rule is for all of us. Stop putting campaign posters. Hold on until EC declares.”

Last week, the police, when asked why they were defacing posters of Mr Mbabazi over engaging in early campaigns but left posters of Museveni hanging in different areas, Mr Fred Enanga, the police spokesperson, said:

The President is the Fountain of Honour and he enjoys absolute immunity for whatever actions and enjoys structural advantages. You cannot just pull down his pictures under whatever circumstances.”

Mr Mbabazi announced his intention to run for president in 2016 early this week but Capt Babu has asked him to wait for their NRM grassroot campaigns which start next month ahead of the National Conference to elect the party national leaders in October.

Rwandan General arrested in London

By Joan Pounds

Police take Karenzi Karake, accused of ordering civilian massacres as well as killings of Spanish NGO workers, into custody on behalf of Spanish authorities

One of Rwanda’s top military figures has been arrested in London in relation to alleged war crimes against civilians, police have said. 

Karenzi Karake, director general of Rwanda’s national intelligence and security services, was prevented from leaving the country on Saturday morning by the Metropolitan police extradition unit on behalf of authorities in Spain. 

“Karenzi Karake, 54, a Rwandan national appeared before Westminster magistrates’ court on Saturday 20 June after being arrested on a European arrest warrant on behalf of the authorities in Spain, where he is wanted in connection with war crimes against civilians,” a Met spokesman said. 

Karake was remanded in custody and will reappear in court on Thursday.

A Spanish judge indicted Karake in 2008 for alleged retributory war crimes in the years after the 1994 Rwandan genocide. He is accused of ordering massacres while head of Rwanda’s military intelligence between 1994 and 1997, and ordering the killing of three Spanish nationals working for the NGO Médicos del Mundo, the BBC reports. He is one of 40 current or former Rwandan military officials named on the indictment.

Karake is a leading member of the Rwandan Patriotic Front, the current ruling party of Rwanda, and fought in the civil war that preceded the genocide in which 800,000 Tutsi and politically moderate Hutus were killed.

He was previously the deputy commander of the UN peacekeeping mission in Darfur, Sudan, a role which he left in 2009. Humanitarian campaigners Human Rights Watch had protested against his appointment, accusing him of orchestrating deadly attacks against civilians when Rwandan forces were fighting Uganda in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2000.

It is thought Gen Karake had travelled to the UK on business earlier this month, and is said to have visited the country on previous occasions. 

Jordi Palou-Loverdos, a lawyer representing nine Spanish massacre victims, told BBC’s Newsnight: “We hope in the name of the victims that this time justice will be provided and Karenzi Karake will soon be delivered to the Spanish court to have a fair trial, where he can defend himself. And we hope that political or other interests will not neutralise the place for justice, truth and reparation.”

Mbabazi Will Need NRM’s Approval for District Meetings, Police.

By Joan Pounds

Police spokesperson Fred Enanga has warned that former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi must seek approval of the ruling NRM party before starting his countrywide consultative meetings, Rwenzori Times reports.

In response to Mbabazi’s letter about district consultation meetings scheduled to start in July, the Electoral Commission last week urged the presidential hopeful to follow the laid down legal framework. 

Quoting Section 3 of the Presidential Elections Act, Enanga said the former leader of government business must decide in what capacity he is set to carry out the consultations, adding that this must be known by the security agencies.

If Mbabazi is to stand on the card of the party (NRM) or as an independent, it should be known. If he is to stand as the political party’s flag-bearer, he then needs to seek clearance from them before starting the consultative meetings,” Enanga warned. 

He must be aware of the Public Order Management Act that requires him to write to the Inspector General of Police early enough requesting for permission on top of notifying the LC and police of the area before conducting the meetings.” 

The controversial Public Order Management Act was seen by many as a brainchild of Mbabazi and could be used to curtail what President Museveni described as “premature electioneering” of the former Prime Minister. 

Mbabazi last week wrote to the EC saying his consultations would kick off on July 9 in Mbale and that the trips were in accordance with Section 3 of the Presidential Elections Act [2005]. 

He went ahead to list 25 venues in which he will be conducting nationwide consultations with his supporters to prepare for his nomination for the highest political seat in the land. 

In a letter dated June 18, EC chairman Badru Kiggundu responded to Mbabazi: “Please be guided that while conducting your consultations the same should be distinguished from distribution of campaign materials, campaign, holding rallies and mass meetings as well as canvassing for votes envisaged under section 21 and 24 of part 5 of the Presidential elections Act.” 

Kiggundu further stated that, “The foregoing activities, for purposes of parity and levelling the ground for the election, can only be conducted upon satisfying the provision of part IV of the above Act, in regard to nominations as candidates for the said election.” 

On Friday, Attorney General, Freddie Ruhindi said Mbabazi has a right to carry out consultations but that he must follow other relevant laws especially Public Order Management Act (POMA). 

But Mbabazi’s lawyers who include Fred Muwema wrote to the EC, saying, “An aspirant may consult in preparation for his or her nomination as a presidential candidate before the nomination date.” 

They further quoted the presidential Elections Act which states that, “while consulting under subsection (1), a presidential aspirant may carry our nationwide consultations, prepare his or her manifesto and other campaign materials; raise funds for his campaign through lawful means and convene meetings of National Delegates.

The lawyers added: “From the above, it is clear that it is not a crime under Ugandan law for one to be or promote his Presidential Aspiration.” 

Police warn Mbabazi 

According to Enanga, who quoted the Presidential Elections Act, any individual going for consultative meetings should desist from organizing public meetings which attract big numbers of people and avoid dishing out campaign materials such t-shirts and posters among others. 

“It must be different from canvassing for votes and following the directives by the party if he is to go through it. He must follow what the law says before starting the meetings,” Enanga emphasised. 

The latest development could see police lock horns with Mbabazi and his supporters. 

When tasked to explain the arrest of Mbabazi supporters throughout the country, the police mouthpiece accepted that they had apprehended over 30 people for early campaigns but that “we don’t know if they were Mbabazi supporters.” 

Nominations for FDC Presidential Flag Bearer start.

By Wesley Spartan

Opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) members who intend to contest in next year’s presidential elections can now pick their nomination forms for the party flag bearer’s race, the party has announced. 

This has been revealed by the party electoral commission chairman, Dan Mugarura while addressing a weekly press conference at the party headquarters in Najjanankumbi. 

Mugarura told journalists that only one person Moses Mugisha has so far nomination forms. He said that nominations shall be held on July 1 and 2 in a free and open manner.

All party members qualify to vie for the post as long as they are registered voters according to the country’s electoral commission,” Mugalula emphasized. 

A candidate must be between 35 to 75 years of a sound mind proposed by a party delegate and seconded by 10 party delegates,” Mugalula added. 

He observed that all willing presidential contestants will pay a fee of Shs3.5M for the nomination which is non-refundable. 

The party is set to hold its special delegates conference on September 1 and 2 where the party delegates will be casting votes for the position of the party flag bearer and as well vote in new office bearers for 19 positions that were left during the recent delegates’ conference that ushered in the new NEC. 

He on the same note revealed that the party’s women league shall be holding its delegates conference on the 25th and 26th June. 

Anglo-Irish company agrees to $250m tax bill in Uganda

By Wesley Spartan

Kampala - Anglo-Irish company Tullow Oil said on Monday it had settled a long-running tax dispute in Uganda by agreeing to the payment of a $250m bill.

In July 2014, a Ugandan court ordered Tullow to pay $407m in taxes related to the sale of local assets two years earlier, but the company then sought arbitration to reduce the cost.

Tullow has agreed to pay $250m in full and final settlement of its CGT (Capital Gains Tax) liability," a company statement read.

This sum comprises $142m that Tullow paid in 2012, and $108m to be paid in three equal instalments of $36m. The first of these was paid upon settlement and the remainder will be paid in 2016 and 2017.

Uganda discovered exploitable deposits of oil along its volatile western border with Democratic Republic of Congo in 2006, and officials now estimate reserves at up to 3.5 billion barrels.

The settlement of this long-running dispute is good news for Tullow and Uganda," company chief executive Aidan Heavey said in a statement.

In recent months, the Government of Uganda has proposed welcome and necessary changes to its tax regime for oil and gas investments, which it is hoped will enable substantive progress to be made towards the sanction of the Lake Albert oil development."

The payments are related to a capital gains tax on the $2.9bn sale of three of Tullow's exploration blocks in Uganda to France's Total and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC).

M7 Meets Fired NRM Rebel MP, Niwagaba

By Wesley Spartan

President Museveni yesterday met one of the fired NRM rebel MPs, Winfred Niwagaba for the first time in several months.

President Museveni was at the official launch of a wine producing factory at Maziba – Maziba Fruit Wine Producers located in Maziba Sub County, Ndorwa East constituency, Kabale District.

Initially, the factory was an initiative of a Kabale farmer Mr. Tindimweba Fulgensi who processed pineapples into wine locally.

With support from government through Uganda Industrial Research Institute (URI), farmers have been trained and formed a cooperative union that manages this facility.

The factory now produces 400 liters of wine daily compared to the then 20 liters

Maziba Fruit Wine Producers directly employs 80 people and this number is set to increase when production is at full capacity.

President Museveni later addressed a rally at Maziba sub county headquarters, where he urged the people of Ndorwa East to engage in commercial agriculture as a means of improving household income, and also discouraged them from the practice of land fragmentation.

RNP hand over recovered money to Ugandan businessman, arrests suspect.

By Wesley Spartan

Kigali: Rwanda National Police (RNP) has handed over Rwf250,000 and Ush3 million to a Ugandan businessman, after it was recovered from a suspected thief who had crossed into Rwanda through Kagitumba border.

The suspect identified as Fred Byamukama, was tracked and arrested on Monday in Rwemiyaga Sector of Nyagatare District, after timely exchange of information and collaboration between Rwanda and Uganda Police forces.

The money was recovered from the suspect at the time of his arrest, after police searched him.

RNP handed over the money to its legitimate owner on June 19 at the headquarters in Kacyiru in the presence of Uganda's Assistant Commissioner of Police Patrick Lawot,police Liaison officer at Uganda High Commission in Rwanda.

The Ugandan businessman identified as Tumwebaze Wycliffe, expressed surprise upon learning that his money was recovered, after having resigned to the thought that he would never recover it.

“The suspect is a person I know very well. On June 8, I gave him Ush4 million shillings in advance to purchase beans, but instead, he disappeared with the money and switched his phone off. All attempts to reach him were futile and that is when I realized I had been robbed,” he narrated to journalists.

“I reported to Uganda Police and days later, I was told that the thief had been arrested in Rwanda. Today they have given back the money and I am very grateful to Rwanda National Police for its efficiency and strong collaboration with Uganda.”

Police Spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Celestin Twahirwa, noted that the successful operation is an evidence of existing security and safety for people from both Rwanda and Uganda, due to the "fruitful cooperation between the two police forces."

“We received information from our counterparts in Uganda that a suspected thief is likely to cross into Rwanda after running away with Ush4 million. Tight surveillance at the border ensured that the man was tracked and successfully apprehended as he reached Nyagatare,” CSP Twahirwa said.

“This is not the first time Rwanda and Uganda have cooperated to apprehend suspects and return property to the legitimate owners. This partnership has boosted the trust and confidence among the people and business community of both countries.”

Assistant Commissioner Lawot noted that such quick and professional responses convey strong message to criminals how difficult it is to commit a crime and flee to another country.

“Just like the previous criminals who were apprehended as they attempted to cross the border, this suspect also thought that he would elude justice. Uganda and Rwanda have built strong cooperation, these and many others are fruits of that partnership." Lawot said.

“Whenever we have a suspect, we instantly share the information with RNP and trust that they will do their work efficiently and professionally.”

In January this year, RNP also handed over Rwf500,000 to Ugandan authorities, after it was recovered from a suspected thief who had crossed and arrested in Rwanda.

In last December, RNP also handed over Rwf8 million to a Ugandan businessman which had been stolen from him in Kabale, south-western Uganda and wired to Rwanda.similarly Uganda Police Force handed over a Genocide suspect to RNP in the same period. (End)

Why black churches are still under attack.

By Joan Pounds

Like most Americans, we are still grieving the news of another attack on a Black church.

Nine people were shot to death during Bible study in Charleston, S.C. This time, the alleged shooter is a 21-year-old white male who looks like he wouldn’t harm a fly.

While the motives for the attacks are still unclear, and under investigation, early reports indicate that this was another hate crime. FBI statistics from 2013 show, of 3,407 single biased hate crime incidents, 66% were motivated by anti-black or African American bias.

Black churches have been under attack for hundreds of years, dating back to slavery. Be it bombings during the civil rights movement, or black churches being set on fire, the black church has been under perpetual attack since its inception.

Why is a place that is supposed to be a sanctuary constantly under attack by people who want to exercise their racial hatred? How can people be that evil to go to a house of worship to murder and vandalize?

Do those who attack and vandalize churches do it because they feel churchgoers are peaceful, non-violent, and weak, or do they do it because of the symbolism, and to break their victims’ spirit? Since as early as 1758, the black church has played a major role in the black community, at times being the only place where black people could get a break from oppression, and express themselves.

What would make a 21-year-old shoot and kill nine people in a black church in 2015? Trained hatred is likely the cause of this attack. A person born in 1994 cannot possibly hate persons of another race enough to murder them in cold blood, unless they were taught that hatred from the time they were a child. Babies don’t come into this world hating anyone!

It’s clear the black church is still viewed as the foundation of the black community. It’s also still a prime target for those who want to hurt the black community, and make a strong statement while doing so. The difference now is black churches can do more to prevent these attacks than they could during slavery and the civil rights movement. Intimidation didn’t work then, and it won’t work now.

The time has come for black churches to implement security measures to protect themselves. I realize locked doors, metal detectors, and armed security don’t look good at a house of worship, but black churches have been victimized too long. I truly believe no one would think twice if security measures were put in place at black churches. Churchgoers should be allowed to worship without the fear of being attacked.

How many senseless hate crimes must we witness before we realize we are all in this together? I have spent the majority of my adult life working with people of all races and ethnicities and have learned that if you invest a little time in getting to know and understand those who are different, you become more tolerant. Unless we stop teaching hate to our children, there will always be hatred in America.

If the alleged shooter in the Charleston murders is found guilty, his life and his family’s lives will change forever. The people who are responsible for his views and behaviour will have to live with that. The nine victims of this tragedy have already paid the ultimate price, and their families lives will never be the same.

My heart goes out to the victims, their families, and the people of Charleston. The time has come for black church leaders to protect their parishioners, and adapt to the times we live in. That is the only way the black church will become the sanctuary it is intended to be.

Read books to get out of poverty, Nabagereka.

By Joan Pounds

KAMPALA. Youth must embrace a reading culture especially of books on how to become successful entrepreneurs, if they to break vicious cycle of poverty, the Naabagereka of Buganda Sylvia Nnaginda has said.
“Research shows that Ugandans have a poor reading culture. I encourage children to explore the pleasure of books and reading and parents to provide them with the opportunity to always have a book of their own to read,” she said at the opening of Aristoc Bookstore at Acacia Mall on Friday.
“Bookstores are often the only readily available source of comprehensive information needed by people for personal, family and job related purpose. Our community’s economy benefits when business people use bookstore resources to make wise business decisions, employee use it to improve skills, and the deprived use it to help break the cycle of poverty.”

Love for reading
The Naabagereka, who hailed Margaret Katende the proprietor of the bookstore, also said Aristoc Bookstore is a cornerstone of healthy community that gives people the opportunity to be informed, educated, entertained, research, experience new ideas and inspiration.
“I believe passionately in encouraging a love of reading in young people of all ages. Reading is exciting and fun. There is nothing quite like the thrill of opening a book and being drawn into another world to meet new people and discover their stories. The power of a gripping story and intriguing character is immense: It transports us into different and sometimes strange worlds, and helps us to understand why people behave as they do; for a moment we experience other people’ journeys and livelihoods. It is a true voyage of discovery that broaden and stimulates our minds.”
John Katende, Aristoc director announced a donation of books worth Shs1 million to Nnabagereka Development Foundation.

Six things you shouldn't say to someone fasting for Ramadan

By Wesley Spartan

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar in which Muslims around the world fast from dawn to sunset. I have been fasting during the month of Ramadan every year since I was about eight-years-old and the experience has been changing for me in many ways, teaching me a lot about discipline, and what it means to be less fortunate.

As I've grown up, The Islamic calendar is based on cycles of the lunar phases, meaning that the days during Ramadan have been getting longer over the years. Something that has stayed the same however, is the common reaction that I often get from non-Muslim friends and colleagues. Here are six of them:

1. 'So you don't eat or drink anything at all for 30 days?!'
Saudi and foreign Muslims break their fast during the holy month of Ramadan.
Photo / Getty 
Saudi and foreign Muslims break their fast during the holy month of Ramadan. Photo / Getty
You really think that's what I'm doing? I am pretty sure I would die if I tried that.

2. 'Is it okay to eat in front of you?'
South African Mulsims break thier fast on the first Friday of the month of Ramadan at the Turkish Nizamiye Masjid Mosque in Midrand, Johannesburg.
Photo / Getty 
South African Mulsims break thier fast on the first Friday of the month of Ramadan at the Turkish Nizamiye Masjid Mosque in Midrand, Johannesburg. Photo / Getty
Of course it is. One of the main principles of fasting is discipline and I would prefer if you just spent your day normally and didn't worry about me. I can handle some crisps being eaten near me but I think everyone else here hates you because they stink.

3. 'Why do you do it to yourself? Isn't it bad for you?'
Afghan refugees break their fast at a refugee camp in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Photo / Metin Aktas, Getty Images
Afghan refugees break their fast at a refugee camp in Islamabad, Pakistan. Photo / Metin Aktas, Getty Images
Why do you have to talk about it so negatively? I'm not punishing myself and this isn't a burden. Ramadan is a very special time for Muslims that a lot of us look forward to. There are certainly times when it can be difficult but it only lasts a month and it reminds us how people less fortunate than us have to live.

Fasting is only considered obligatory for adults that can fast. You don't have to fast if you have any health issues that could be affected. We may be losing a few meals every day but the aim is to change our entire lifestyle positively allowing us to feel that we are gaining a lot spiritually throughout the month. You should try it!

4. 'Must be a great way to get in shape!'
Pakistani faithful Muslims devotees break their fast and vendors preparing food items for Iftari.
Photo / Getty
Pakistani faithful Muslims devotees break their fast and vendors preparing food items for Iftari. Photo / Getty
Yes, there is plenty of evidence around to support the many health benefits of fasting, including improving brain function, improving your immune system, normalising insulin sensitivity, helping to cure addiction and helping weight loss. We also eat a lot of dates during this month which are very good for you.

However, we tend to cancel a lot of this out because as soon as the sun begins to set and we hear the call to prayer begin, we are likely to eat as many delicious fried foods as possible and continue to snack at every possible opportunity until the following sunrise. That may just be my routine though.

5. 'Eat some of this, no one will know'
An Indian Muslim man prays before breaking his fast during Ramadan at the Mecca Mosque in Hyderabad, India.
Photo / AP 
An Indian Muslim man prays before breaking his fast during Ramadan at the Mecca Mosque in Hyderabad, India. Photo / AP
You have completely missed the point. Please, get away from me.

Ramadan is not just about avoiding food or drink. We use the month to learn self-discipline, try to become spiritually stronger, Appreciate God's gifts to us and how fortunate we are, Reflect on the value of charity and generosity and give thanks for the Quran which was first revealed in the month of Ramadan.

6. 'You must be really hungry!'
A crowd of Muslim devotees buy food in a market to break the first day of fasting in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Photo / AP
A crowd of Muslim devotees buy food in a market to break the first day of fasting in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Photo / AP
I was doing fine until you mentioned it, thanks.

If you know someone fasting during Ramadan, please, just act normal. If you still find the entire concept too difficult to comprehend, remember that it only lasts about a month and at the end we get to celebrate Eid al- Fitr. This is like Christmas but much better, so really don't worry: we've got this.

Mbabazi hires 500 lawyers to defend held supporters

Mbabazi hires 500 lawyers to defend held supporters

Kampala. The 2016 race to State House between former prime minister Amama Mbabazi and President Museveni is picking momentum with the latter assembling 500 lawyers to counter the recent spate of arrests of his supporters.
Mr Mbabazi’s legal aides also said they will soon initiate proceedings against police officers in their individual capacities.
The development comes days after Mr Mbabazi told a meeting in London at the weekend that he will task President Museveni to come clean on the continuing nationwide detention of his supporters.
If the President falls short of this, his political ally for close to four decades told the meeting, he will find “a way of countering” the detentions which have increased since he declared his intention to run for President in 2016.
Mr Severino Twinobusingye, Mr Mbabazi’s lawyer, told Rwenzori Times in an interview yesterday: “We have assembled 500 lawyers across the country to give legal representation to all victims of human rights violations.”
“We shall also institute legal proceedings against all police officers in their personal capacity for defacing our client’s posters and destroying his T-shirts,” he added.
Mr Twinobusingye also said the team has given the police 72 hours to release all Mbabazi’s supporters across the country because “they have no case to answer and they are protected by the law”.
He said they have formally petitioned police over the matter.
Confirming the development, Mr Fred Muwema, another of Mbabazi’s advocates, said: “It is true we have hired 500 lawyers across the country on retainer to handle legal matters as and when they arise in any part of the country. Four firms based in Kampala shall be at the apex of the team.”
Mr Muwema, however, declined to reveal the list, citing professional confidentiality.
He named the four firms coordinating the advocates as Mugisha and Company Advocates, Akampurira and Partners Advocates and Legal Consultants, Muwema and Company Advocates and Solicitors, and Twinobusingye Severino and Company Advocates.
Rwenzori Times could not independently verify the claims of drafting at least 500 lawyers.
The Uganda Law Society has at least 2,500 registered lawyers.
Mr Mbabazi last week told a gathering at Chatham House, the UK foreign policy think tank in London, that he had raised issue with the ‘clampdown’ on his supporters during a recent meeting with Mr Museveni.
The President, he revealed, committed to order the Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura, to stop the countrywide arrests.
He said by Thursday, 87 of his supporters had been locked up countrywide.
Efforts to get a comment from the police spokesperson, Mr Fred Enanga, on the arrests were futile as his known telephone number was switched off.
Gen Kayihura’s call was answered by his personal assistant who said he could not reach his boss at the time we called and by press time, our call to the IGP went unanswered.
However, Kampala Metropolitan spokesperson Patrick Onyango said none of Mr Mbabazi’s supporters are held in Kampala and surrounding areas. “We are not holding anyone in our cells at the moment. I only know of one (of Mbabazi’s supporters) in Entebbe and he was given police bond. The rest (who had been arrested in the metropolitan area) were released,” Mr Onyango said.
In a new development, Mr Mbabazi has appointed Dr Benjamin Alipanga, a lecturer of Medical Sociology at Busitema University, his official spokesperson for the 2016 campaign.
Mr Alipanga, is currently petitioning the Constitutional Court challenging President Museveni’s eligibility to contest in the 2016 election on account of his ‘advanced age’. When contacted yesterday, Mr Alipanga confirmed the development.
“Yes, that is true. I am already working...,” he said.
Who are the lead lawyers?
Severino Twinobusingye: He was thrust to the limelight after he sued the Attorney General challenging Parliament’s move to compel the former premier to resign following a barrage of oil bribery allegations. He was later awarded close to Shs13b in legal fees.
Fred Muwema: Formerly a managing partner in Muwema and Mugerwa Advocates, Mr Muwema has cut his niche in commercial law transactions. He represented tobacco farmers in West Nile in a land malt case they won against British American Tobacco.
Mugisha John Mary: Mr Mugisha was instrumental in the famous “rebel MPS” case, where he represented the NRM when it sought to evict the MPs from the August house. At the height of the Mbabazi- Museveni fall out, he withdrew from the case rather controversially.
Davis Akampurira: He is a seasoned lawyer with close ties to Mr Mbabazi. He too represented the NRM in the rebel MPs case. He is also a lawyer in the Alipanga Vs Museveni and NRM case.

 BY KIHEMBO WILBERT

NRM historicals speak out on Mbabazi presidency bid

By Wesley Spartan

Senior members of the National Resistance Movement that brought the government to power in 1986 have weighed in on former prime minister Amama Mbabazi’s bid to stand against President Museveni in 2016 elections.

Some say both Mr Museveni and Mr Mbabazi have dominated Uganda’s political scene for “so long” and are now behaving like they are the only competent Ugandans to lead the country.

Others welcomed Mr Mbabazi’s decision to stand against his former close ally, but doubted he can defeat President Museveni.

The NRM deputy chairperson for central region, Hajj Abdul Nadduli, said the contest between Mr Mbabazi and the President is “a political foolery”.

Do they think this country belongs to them? It’s wealth which is disturbing them. They are now looking for how to spend their accumulated money. This country does not belong to those two. 

Uganda is not their shirt that they can remove it anytime and put it on again as they wish. Some of them have amassed wealth and they are now at self-actualisation. Why should it be Museveni-Mbabazi affair? Let them not fool us,” Mr Nadduli said. 

Mr Nadduli, who participated in the 1981-86 National Resistance Army (NRA) bush war, warned that Ugandans are carefully watching the situation and would not allow “the clash of egos of the two individuals” to cause problems in the country. 

Like Hajj Naduli, another bush war fighter Maj Gen Benon Biraaro, the former UPDF deputy chief of staff, said the media have made Ugandans to “falsely believe” that it’s either Mbabazi or Museveni who runs the country. 

It will be neither of the two after 2016,” said Maj Gen Biraaro, who is now president of the 0pposition Peace and National Unity party.
In a calculated tone, Maj Gen Matayo Kyaligonza, a bush war hero and now NRM vice chairman for Western Uganda, welcomed Mr Mbabazi’s presidential bid but pledged to support Mr Museveni.

It’s healthy for our party. Mbabazi is free to compete for any elective office in this country because he has been steadfast. We welcome his decision because this is democracy. I don’t care whether Mbabazi stands or not... I still support the President,” he said.

Maverick Brig Kasirye Ggwanga said Mr Mbabazi has a tainted image because he has been named in corruption incidents.

He is not impressive because of Temangalo and Chogm scandals. But let’s wait and see. It’s still too early to make judgments,” Brig Ggwanga said.

Maj Gen Jim Muhwezi, the Information minister, another bush war historical member, chided Mr Mbabazi for premature “electioneering” before the Electoral Commission announces the timetable for presidential campaigns. 

Term limits can scrapped off -Kagame.

By Wesley Spartan

Rwandan President Paul Kagame has said term limits can be erased from a national constitution if citizens feel they have outlived their usefulness.

While he continued to delay his decision whether he would seek re-election, Mr Kagame said in an interview that term limits are not the new definition of democracy.

What’s this obsession with this thing called ‘term limits’? If limiting terms is democracy, why go even for a second? Serve one and go,” he said.

He added: “Those who put term limits in constitutions and change them after some time, it’s because things change. Tell me which part of the world has not tampered with their Constitution? You put it (provision of term limits) because it served you at that particular point in time,” he explained.

President Kagame said proponents of terms limits want to appear nice before donor countries and he hit out at Western powers for preaching what they don’t practise.

Mr Kagame has been in power since 1994 when he led the Rwanda Patriotic Army/Front (RPA/F) to power and stopped the genocide against the Tutsi. His second elective term expires in 2017. 

According to Article 101 of the Rwanda Constitution, “The President of the Republic is elected for a term of seven years, renewable only once. Under no circumstance shall a person hold the office of the President for more than two terms.” 

However, during his two-day tour of the remote districts of Rutsiro and Karongi in the western province, several residents and local leaders called for the amendment of the article to pave way for Mr Kagame’s re-election. 

Huge crowds waving Rwandan flags chanted praises and sang songs describing Mr Kagame as a clear-headed leader who led their liberation and has implemented several development programmes. 

Asked why he was not listening to the “voice of the people” Mr Kagame responded: “I think I am listening to them... there is no way I can’t listen to them.

Mr Kagame, however, said their demands will not distract him from the work to rebuild Rwanda and fulfilling the promises he made. 

Mr Kagame bashed unnamed western countries for falsely accusing Rwanda of plundering minerals in DR Congo when it crossed into the vast country to pursue FDLR rebels. 

Earlier, he told local and opinion leaders at the headquarters of the Western Province that criticism of Rwanda is born out of the amazement about what magic bullet the tiny country is using to progress. 

Dates released for Pope's visit to Uganda

By Joan Pounds

Pope Francis will come to Uganda and also go to the Central African Republic in November on his first visit to Africa, the Vatican announced Friday.

The Argentinian pontiff has said several times in recent months that he intended to travel to Africa this year.

"If God permits it I will be in Africa in November, in the Central African Republic and in Uganda," he said earlier this month.

The confirmed dates of November 27-29 were posted Friday on the official Vatican website.

The announcement of the visit to the Central African Republic came as the authorities there said presidential and legislative elections would take place in October and November -- finishing the week before he arrives.

Francis will be in Uganda to mark the 50th anniversary of Pope Paul VI's canonisation during the first visit by a pontiff to Africa of 22 Catholic martyrs -- converts to Christianity who were executed in the 19th century.

The Central African Republic is seeking to emerge from brutal inter-religious violence in 2013-2014 which left thousands dead, while Uganda remains under threat of attack from Al-Qaeda-affiliated Shebab Islamists from neighbouring Somalia.

After visits to Sri Lanka and the Philippines in January, Pope Francis is due to visit Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay next month.

In September, he will travel to Cuba and the United States.

Be sober and united, taxi drivers told.

By Joan Pounds

The chairman general of NOTU has revealed he asked President Yoweri Museveni to stop the police from harassing taxi drivers in the city.

Usher Wilson Owere’s argument for that move was that taxi drivers are good people who are contributing to the development of the country through paying taxes and employing the youth.

NOTU in full is the National Organisation of Trade Unions – a body set on promoting and defending workers’ interests in Uganda.

Owere confessed to being a strong supporter of Museveni for his great role in liberating Uganda from bad leadership.

He said he had longed to meet President Museveni in person to explain to him issues pertaining to the taxi business in Kampala.

And when he did get the chance, he did just that.

“When I got the opportunity, I told the President that taxi drivers are actually good people with positive motives of contributing to the development of the nation who should not be mistreated. He told me he would talk to the police boss, General Kale Kayihura.”

The NOTU leader was speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of the executive committee of Kampala Operation Taxi Stages Association (KOTSA) at Lweza along Entebbe Road on Thursday.

KOTSA is affiliated to the Amalgamated Transport and General Workers’ Union (ATGWA Uganda) that falls under NOTU.

Yasin Ssematimba (below in white) was sworn in as chairman of KOTSA and Mawejje as spokesman.

Members recently elected their leaders after meeting Gen. Kayihura at the police headquarters in Naguru where he apologized to them for the harassment inflicted on them by the police who had been dispersing their meetings using teargas.

‘Be sober’

Several members were arrested and detained on alleged orders of the police boss, but he vehemently denied knowledge of such instructions and apologized to them.

He also ordered his commanders to stop interfering in the running of taxi business.

Owere said he later met the IGP and explained to him that the drivers were not against the police but he could have been fed on wrong information, further informing Kayihura that they were willing to work with all stakeholders for the good of the security of the city.

He said he was happy that the IGP later realized the truth and allowed them to elect their leaders.

But the NOTU leader cautioned drivers to be careful, stay good and avoid hurting anyone in the transaction of their business.

He said they should remain sober when transporting people and be united because President Museveni was willing to work with anyone.

Catherine Ocom, the regional internal security officer in charge of Kampala South, represented the RCC of Kampala and assured the drivers of total collaboration in maintaining security in the city.

The guest of honor at the ceremony, Arinaitwe Rwakajara (below, centre), who is also Workers MP, applauded the drivers for joining the trade union, saying they now qualified to fight for the rights of workers.

The MP called upon other taxi stages to join the trade union and pledged to organize special trainings to educate them on the rights of workers and their roles as leaders.

He said the 27 new leaders should work for the wellbeing of the members and pledged to always fight for their rights.

On his part, the new chairman Ssematimba said they had faced a lot of negative forces until they decided to join the trade union.

According to him, they plan to start a SACCO to enable drivers get loans to buy their own vehicles and pay back in installments like it happens for bodabodas (motorcylists).

Ssematimba said they welcome working with other groups and KCCA and the police and applauded the IGP for finally realizing that they are not wrong people as he had reportedly been told.

Museveni commits to solving cost of bulk bandwidth.

By Wesley Spartan

KAMPALA – President Yoweri Museveni while touring the government BPO incubation center stationed at Uganda statistics house agreed to intervene and solve the high cost of bulk bandwidth which is hindering ICT sector growth.

The issue of high internet bandwidth costs came to the president attention after being raised by Information Technology Enabled Service and Business Process Outsourcing (ITES/BPO) stakeholders who hosted him at the Incubation center.

Because of the high cost, there is little development in the ICT sector, internet use, hence keeping out many people due to affordability issues leaving many people unemployed and causing economic stagnation.

The president was surprised to hear that the challenge has not been solved after government invested and laid a national backbone infrastructure from the sea area in Mombasa to Uganda.

“I think a lot of internet is coming in, the backbone is there, the pass way is now there, the route is there, so why can’t we have more users, why don’t you encourage having more (users), what is the problem,” the president wondered.

In a chorus response the president was told that the problem is price which emanates from service providers like SEACOM, a submarine cable operator with a network of submarine and terrestrial high speed fibre-optic cable that serves the East and West coasts of Africa.

They explained to the president that even with the backbone infrastructure in place, resources are not enough to have the challenge addressed.

When the president asked what kind of resource they lack and the cost required to have it addressed he was told that about $6mn is needed.

Additionally the ICT state minister Nyombi Thembo told the president that they have secured a loan worth $7mn from World Bank part of which will be to increase bandwidth capacity.

“It’s good that you have invited me, I have now heard because I was aware that things were moving well because the backbone is there and undersea cables are there.

Now you are saying that although they are there, the money of purchasing, if it is not in a certain manner you will not get the best price, thank you very much I’m glad I came here.

I have picked that one up. I’m going to make sure that this issue of bulk purchase is solved.” The president said promisingly.

The Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Industry is one of the key areas Government of Uganda has identified as a long-term solution to addressing issues of unemployment amongst educated youths as well as to increase investment in area of Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES).

Three private companies; Techno Brain Limited, Dial-A-Service Limited and CameoTechedge Services Limited operate from the Incubation centre.

In 2011, the National Information Technology Authority (NITA-U) received supplementary funding from Government through the Ministry of ICT towards the setting up of a Government BPO Incubation Centre.

The Centre has been successfully established on 3rd and 4th Floors of Statistics House in Kampala.

The 240-seater BPO Incubation Centre is currently being run by three private sector Companies employing a total of 210 agents.

When operated at full capacity of 3 shifts per day, the Centre can employ over 750 agents and staff.

Uganda's central bank sells dollars to support shilling

By Wesley Spartan

KAMPALA- Uganda's central bank sold an
undisclosed amount of dollars on Friday to support the weakening
shilling after it hit a new low versus the dollar.
The local currency recouped some of its losses to trade at
3,265/3,275 at 0801 GMT from an all-time low of 3,365/3,375 in
early trade that prompted the central bank intervention. 
The shilling, which is 15 percent weaker to the dollar so
far this year, had closed at 3,285/3,295 on Thursday. 
"There was huge interbank demand which was weighing on the
shilling but the market sentiment was also being driven by the
depreciation of other regional currencies," said Faisal Bukenya,
head of market making at Barclays Bank.
The shilling has been under steadily escalating pressure
fueled by strong demand for the U.S. currency from commercial
banks and a globally bullish greenback.
Investors were also unnerved by a 71 percent jump in public
spending for 2015/16 national budget ahead of the east African
nation's presidential elections early next year.

Although the local currency has been under enormous pressure
for weeks, the central bank had kept from intervening, prompting
relentless stockpiling of greenbacks by commercial banks on
concerns that the shilling could weaken even further.
"The silence of the central bank was worrying the market,"
said Benon Okwenje, trader at Stanbic Bank.
Okwenje said the depreciation had reached a level where "we
could easily have a run on the shilling."

Computer Training Center installed in Masaka.

By Joan Pounds

In January (2015), my son-in-law and grandson installed a small computer-training facility in a LDS Chapel in Masaka, Uganda. The LDS chapel was chosen for several reasons:

secure location;
rooms available Monday thru Saturday,
availability of a relatively high-speed Internet connection
reliable power supply.

The facility started out in a small room with 6 chromebook computers. They are hooked to the Internet with a 4G wi-fi router.

This facility was made possible by the wonderful cooperation of Branch President Akera George.

Funding was primarily provided by my Mother, Anna Lou Hansen - with additional funds donated by the Mormon Transhumanist Association, via an Indiegogo campaign.

When we stopped in to see the Branch President today (June 2015), he indicated that the computer-facility was very popular and he considered it a great success. When we asked how the computer center was being used, he provided the following partial list.

studying at Kahn Academy,
doing homework,
improving computer skills,
Internet surfing, and
emailing.

The purpose for our June visit was to add an HP Inkject printer to the system, which we did.

In an earlier visit this month, representatives from the Interethnic Health Alliance dropped off an electric sewing machine.

We asked President George about the possibility of setting up a sewing center similar to the computer center. He likes the idea. So we hope to get that facility started in a few months.

R. Dennis Hansen is currently employed as a planner for a federal resource management agency in Utah. He enjoys traveling and has lived in and/or visited and/or worked in over 40 countries on five continents. Hansen is a member of the Mormon Transhumanist Association and Engineers without Borders.

Uganda, Let's Thank Muntu and Welcome Mbabazi

By Ssemujju Ibrahim, Kyadondo East MP.

Times like these are the most difficult for weekly newspaper columnists. Many things of huge significance happen in quick succession. Choosing the most significant one for debate is certainly left to guesswork.

For example, on Thursday last week, the revolutionary, through his finance minister Matia Kasaija, delivered, to a sleeping parliament, the 2015/16 budget. I skipped this event like I did the state-of-the-nation address. In a future article, I will explain why.

The budget process has changed, I think in all East African countries. Parliaments study the budget and propose changes, if any, before it is read. Reading it is thus a ceremony, but a more meaningful one. In the past, a budget would be read and then debated, and sometimes changed, by parliament.

The revolutionary singled out three things in next financial year's budget: works, energy and security.

Works has become the new catchword for stealing taxpayers' money. You all still remember the Mukono-Katosi scandal in which nearly Shs 25 billion taxpayers' money was stolen. The contract sum for Katosi was Shs 165 billion.

This, by the way, means that for every Shs 100 billion road project, more than Shs 15 billion is stolen. We were lucky to get to know the Katosi scandal because some of the actors such as Apolo Senkeeto were new and hastily shared the money before paperwork was concluded. Yes, there is tarmac from Arua to Kampala, to Mbarara and to Kisoro; but how much has been stolen in the name of paving these roads?

And like I have written in the past, most of the roads' money is borrowed. That is why our debt portfolio to GDP is almost 50 per cent now. We have borrowed nearly $10 billion yet our GDP is reportedly about $25 billion. And the story can't be different in energy.

That is why Aga Khan is selling every power unit from his Bujagali dam to us at 11 cents, yet power from the dam constructed by colonialists is at three cents.

I watched the revolutionary telling the opposition that they should use a tape measure to determine the degree of electricity penetration in the country. Unfortunately, that is not how development is measured.

Development is people, and not the infrastructure itself. For example, official figures show that access to electricity has remained at seven per cent in the last 52 years of Uganda's independence. What the revolutionary should boast about is electricity per capita and not just the number of poles and length of cables/wires. And every year, we borrow money for this cause.

As I said in my last article, the 2016 elections are not just about the candidates, but our country. Unfortunately, we will not have time to analyze in detail the money lined up for stealing the next elections.

And the trouble with Uganda is that the parameters of accountability have been changed and the media has accepted it. The revolutionary will always speak about primary school enrolment of 8.2 million children and skip our 25-30 per cent miserable completion rate. He will speak about the money allocated to the sector, and not the exact value extracted from that money.

That is why we should thank Gen Gregory Mugisha Muntu not for declaring his presidential bid the same day with John Patrick Amama Mbabazi but for struggling to build the FDC party.

Muntu told the FDC special delegates' conference at Lugogo on Friday that he didn't use the last two and a half years of his presidency to market himself but to build FDC. And I can tell you FDC internal elections have been extremely competitive. The positive is that FDC elections are not easy to rig.

Many senior members were uncomfortable with Wasswa Biriggwa, who joined FDC yesterday, to instantly become their chairman but the delegates overwhelmed them. It is only in FDC where newcomers also have a chance.

If that didn't demonstrate faith in FDC processes, at least the victory of Nathan Nandala-Mafabi did. Muntu and Alice Alaso, as chief executive officers of the party, were in charge of the process but never interfered with the party electoral commission as it did its work.

That is why Mafabi subjected himself and won elections organized under Muntu and Alaso's leadership. Because of his rare humility, Muntu never gets the credit he deserves. The man is obsessed with building institutions. That is why he keeps repeating himself, "you cannot give what you don't have."

Finally, in a future article I will tell you why Ugandans should embrace former NRM Secretary General John Patrick Amama Mbabazi. Remember what Gen David Sejusa said as he fled Uganda to the UK for his self-inflicted exile. He said there was a plan to eliminate him, Amama and Gen Aronda Nyakairima. The three were reported to be against a plan by the revolutionary to hand over power to his son.

But most significantly, governments fall very quickly when they are fought by insiders. What took Museveni to Luweero, Tito Okello did it within hours without having to leave Kampala first. And it is Mwai Kibaki that defeated Daniel arap Moi's chosen successor Uhuru Kenyatta in 2002. People, especially the senior ones, running away from Museveni must be received with open arms. Let people stop treating opposition as a permanent abode.

The author is Kyadondo East MP.

Reduce President’s powers, locals tell House committee

Reduce President’s powers, locals tell House committee


By KIHEMBO WILBERT

A section of residents in Busoga region have called on Parliament to reduce powers of the president.

While giving their views to the Parliamentary Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs in Iganga Town on Tuesday, several residents said the current Constitution vests too much power in the president, which could explain why President Museveni is clinging on to power.

The committee chaired by the Bukooli North MP, Mr Baka Mugabi, was holding a regional consultative meeting to get public views for adoption during the review on constitutional amendments.

Restoration of term limits
The residents called for the restoration of presidential term limits and resignation of a president two weeks to nominations of presidential candidates in a general election.

“Some of the demonstrations that occur in Kampala are as a result of the President overstaying in power. My proposal is that there be two term limits for President with each term lasting five years,” Mr Fred Mukupya, a resident of Nakigo Sub-county, told the committee.

The proposal was backed by a former candidate of the opposition Forum for Democratic Change party in the March 2015 Bugiri LC5 by-elections, Mr Bumali Luba.

“I also propose that a president should resign the seat two weeks to nomination day and instruments of power be handed to the Chief Justice until a new president is elected,” Mr Luba said.

They also called for an independent electoral commission appointed by the Judicial Service Commission and scrapping of Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) posts.

“The RDCs should be removed because they are serving the ruling party instead of serving all Ugandans,” Mr Hassan Muyinda, a resident, said.
Bugweri MP Abdu Katuntu, a member of the committee, said restoration of presidential term limits and creation of an independent Electoral Commission have been cross-cutting concerns.

0 per cent of P7 pupils can’t read their local language - report BY KIHEMBO WILBERT

0 per cent of P7 pupils can’t read their local language - report

BY KIHEMBO WILBERT

The government’s policy on local languages is yet to yield fruits as a new report has shown that only three out of 10 interviewed children in Primary Seven can read and comprehend in their mother tongue.

The findings are contained in a 2014 Uwezo report released on Thursday. The report further paints a gloomy picture on Uganda’s basic education with only two pupils out of 10 in Primary Seven, the last cycle of primary education, able to solve Primary Two numeracy questions.

The survey was conducted in 2013 among 87,339 children aged between six and 16 from 80 districts. Uganda has 112 districts. The pupils were subjected to Primary Two level numeracy and literacy tasks.

“Three out of 10 pupils in Primary Seven were able to read and comprehend a Primary Two local language story. Almost two out of 10 pupils in Primary Three assessed in both English language and their local languages were able to read and comprehend a Primary Two English story while one out of 10 pupils was able to read and comprehend in Luganda, Runyoro/Rutoro, Ateso and Leblango,” reads part of the report.

The government reviewed the primary curriculum to thematic curriculum in 2007 to address the literacy and numeracy weaknesses, the overcrowded curriculum and promote lifelong skills among children.

Under this curriculum, local languages are used as a medium of instruction from Primary One to to Primary Three (lower primary) before switching to English language in Primary Four.
The guideline was later relaxed to allow urban schools to use English as a medium of communication, something that has drawn criticism.

The Uwezo country director, Ms Goretti Nakabugo, noted that the curriculum being taught is far ahead of children and that only one in every five Primary Four English language and Mathematics teachers have mastered the curriculum they are teaching. She also added that children with the ability to read in their local languages have better command of the English language and can easily relate with their environment.

Mr Tony Lusambu, the assistant commissioner for primary education, said the government had received a grant of $100m (Shs300b) from World Bank which will be used to train teachers in literacy and improve the current ratio of three pupils sharing a textbook to one.

“Although education receives a lion’s share of national budget, we need to compare it with the enrolment which shoots up every year. We need more teachers, classrooms and textbooks every year. Is this translated into the money I receive in the budget every year?” Mr Lusambu asked.

Mr James Tweheyo, the Uganda National Teachers’ Union general secretary, explained that there is need to motivate teachers to do their work.
“There is teacher discomfort, resignation and withdrawal. Teachers are not only physically absent but also mentally absent at school. We are talking of building teachers’ morale to be able to do their job,” Mr Tweheyo said.

“When we talk of ministry of Education officials, these people are as incapacitated as these teachers they are supervising. We would like to reach a situation where every pupil is able to read and count and until we create a platform to look at our weaknesses and achievements, we will not take this country forward,” he added.

OTHER FINDINGS
The report notes that children with nursery school background, literate mothers and parental involvement in education have better learning outcomes.

Don’t opt for teaching - Museveni

President Museveni commissions new buildings at Masaka Secondary School yesterday.

BY KIHEMBO WILBERT

Masaka.

President Museveni has advised students not to join the teaching profession, saying the country currently has enough teachers.

Mr Museveni, however, suggested that those with a passion in education should specialise in teaching science subjects.

“We currently have an oversupply of teachers, some with masters and PhDs, but without having enough students to teach,” Mr Museveni said, adding: “l told the ministry of Education to emphasise the issue of career guidance and if they did, I am also adding my voice to theirs.”
He also asked students to be job creators and forget about joining the public service, saying there are a few slots for them.

“I don’t advise you to think about public service because you may end up into witchcraft in order to remove those who are currently in service,” he added.

The President was yesterday speaking to students of Masaka SS where he commissioned a multi-purpose hall, a computer centre, a 32- classroom block, science laboratory and a library.

The structures were built using a $2million (Shs6.4b) grant from the African Development Bank. The President also broke the ground for the construction of 24-unit staff quarters.

Uganda has only 160,000 teachers on the government payroll. But the teachers have consistently complained of poor pay despite government’s continued allocation of a lion’s share of the Budget to the education sector.

Hajj Musa Mpungu, the school head teacher, applauded government for the project, saying it had enabled them acquire additional classroom blocks to address the problem of congestion.

“This is a gesture worth commending and we pledge to optimally utilise these facilities to bring out all-round citizens,” he said
Although former premier Amama Mbabazi, who is now eying the presidency is seen building his political base among the youth, Mr Museveni avoided speaking politics at the event despite Hajj Mpungu informing him that the school has 2,400 students of voting age.

Founded in 1954, Masaka SS is one of biggest secondary schools in the country with a population of more than 4,500 students .

Contradiction
According to a 2013 ministry of Education report, government needs more than 8,000 teachers countrywide. The latest National Assessment of Progress in Education says the education ministry is grappling with a shortage of science 3,600 teachers.

Using Facebook forum to save lives.

By Joan Pounds

Starting back in 2011, Rwenzururu Discussion Board -RDB a group founded by a one Milton Konzo has risen to become an exceptional forum amongst other forums on social media. Founded mainly to bring together all the people of the Rwenzori region and beyond as one family to discuss about the events and future prospects of their native land and get-together with each other as a family.

The group is now at a raising number of 2774 registered members with legal offices in Kasese Municipality. Being an exceptional forum, the RDB, has gone ahead to engage its members in various charity activities.

As earlier reported, the RDB members led by Jonani Bwambale and Marilyn Brenda set off to fight malnutrition in the Rwenzori region, in this they visited numerous places and hospitals around the region. Kilembe Mines hospital and Bwera Hospital being the two main beneficiaries of their charity move. As of now the District health department reports a reduced number of malnourished children in the region, thanks to RDB.

And yet to add to that, our reporter caught up with some members of the group who were in another charity move dubbed "Save a life"
The move that started weeks ago by Juliet Masika, Kambasu Obed and Jonani Bwambale as the coordinators, came up to raise funds to help one of their members who chose to remain anonymous. According to the information gathered by our reporter, the patient who is a member of the group needed an operation in Mulago hospital which was costly but that didn't stop her group members who swung into action and started to contribute any coin a member came up with in order to save a life of their  dear member.

Upon receiving the news, the patient quickly took to her Facebook account to thank the group members for their kindness and support. Here is what she wrote, "Thank you very much my dears. You have shown me unexpected love that i wont forget even if i die. May the Lord bless you Abundantly."

According to the information from the group members, the patient is expected to be brought to Mulago, the coming week for the operation that will save her. As the Rwenzori Times team we also wish her a quick recovery.

Mbabazi sets July, August to meet voters countrywide

Mbabazi sets July, August to meet voters countrywide

BY KIHEMBO WILBERT

Kampala.

Former prime minister Amama Mbabazi has officially informed the Electoral Commission (EC) that he will be a candidate in the 2016 race and will start his voter interaction programme in July.

In the June 16 letter, which the EC received on the same day, Mr Mbabazi said his nationwide consultations will start on July 9 in Mbale and end in his home district of Kanungu on August 1.

“In accordance with S.3 of the Presidential Elections Act [16 of 2005], this is to introduce myself as an aspiring candidate for president for the 2016 general elections. I publicly announced my candidature and find herewith attached a copy of my statement. I will conduct nationwide consultations to prepare my nominations,” the letter reads in part.

According to his programme, Mr Mbabazi will after Mbale, move to the north and WestNile before coming to Buganda. He will be in Kampala on July 17. Mr Mbabazi, will then move to the west and conclude his programme on August 1. In all, Mr Mbabazi will traverse 25 districts spread out in the four regions of the country.

The EC chairperson, Mr Badru Kiggundu, was unable to comment on Mr Mbabazi’s move as he said he was in a meeting. The electoral body’s spokesperson, Mr Jotham Taremwa, said he could not comment on the letter because he has not seen it.

According to the official EC programme, nominations for presidential candidates are set for October 5 to 6.

Mr Tanga Odoi, the NRM electoral chairperson, also declined to comment on the matter.

Mr Mbabazi announced his presidential bid in a five-minute recorded video in the wee hours of Monday morning.

President Museveni in a response to the announcement accused Mr Mbabazi of premature electioneering, saying his bid contravened both the NRM rules and the EC electoral roadmap.

Presidency minister Frank Tumwebaze last evening said Mr Mbabazi should play by the rules and wondered why he was in a hurry.

“Why does he (Mbabazi) want to be offside? Why doesn’t he want to follow the electoral calendar? Why the rush to campaign?” he asked.

What the law says

Section 3 of the Presidential Elections Act [16 of 2005] states:

1) An aspirant may consult in preparation for his or her nomination as a presidential candidate within twelve months before the nomination date.

(2) While consulting under subsection (1), a presidential aspirant may—

(a) carry out nation-wide consultations;

(b) prepare his or her manifesto and other campaign materials;

(c) raise funds for his or her campaign through lawful means;

(d) convene meetings of national delegates.

(3) While consulting, the aspirant shall introduce himself or herself to the Commission and notify the relevant local council and the police of the area to which he or she goes.