Uganda Politics Thread [Archive]

kihihi

May 18th, 2010, 01:04 PM

KAMPALA, Uganda— These are heady days for the former guerrilla who runs Uganda. He moves with the measured gait and sure gestures of a leader secure in his power and in his vision.

It is little wonder. To hear some diplomats and African experts tell it, President Yoweri K. Museveni has started an ideological movement that is reshaping much of Africa, spelling the end of the corrupt, strong-man governments that characterized the cold-war era.

These days, political pundits across the continent are calling Mr. Museveni an African Bismarck. Some people now refer to him as Africa's ''other statesman,'' second only to the venerated South African President, Nelson Mandela.

Not only has Mr. Museveni resurrected his own impoverished nation from two decades of brutal dictatorship and near economic collapse, but he is also widely seen as the covert patron of rebel movements like the one that has just toppled Mobutu Sese Seko, the longtime dictator of Zaire.

''It appears Museveni is the regional power broker who has emerged as a result of all this,'' said one diplomat in the region, speaking on the condition of anonymity. ''He seems to be relishing his role.''

In a recent interview, Mr. Museveni shrugged off this characterization with a smile. He denied being the mastermind behind the rebel army of Laurent Kabila in the former Zaire, now called Congo. Still, he acknowledged that his ideas were beginning to have a profound influence beyond Uganda.

''We were the first to overthrow a dictatorship, a black dictatorship,'' he said. ''Our contribution is by way of example.''

Mr. Museveni's ideology is simple. For too long, he says, African politicians have hoodwinked the common people, manipulating tribal sentiments to stay in power and steal millions of dollars in foreign aid and taxes. A former Marxist, he sees the true struggle on the continent as one between corrupt leaders and the dirt-poor people they exploit.

But he also maintains that most African nations are not ready for a multiparty democracy on a Western model. Such democracies, he says, need a thriving economy and a middle class that can form parties around issues other than ethnicity.

In Africa, Mr. Museveni maintains, political parties invariably become vehicles for tribal leaders who want to grab power for their ethnic group.

Bloodshed, racial vendettas and chaos have been the result.

''Multiparty democracy will come, but it will come when the society has got a social base for it,'' he said. ''The problem here is you are talking about a multiparty democracy in a pre-industrial society. The society must be transformed. We don't have a middle class.''

Critics say Mr. Museveni's stance on party politics is just an excuse to perpetuate another version of the one-party states he says he opposes. In Uganda, he has banned political parties except for his own ''revolutionary movement,'' which he says includes all major interest groups.

The engine for societal change, Mr. Museveni argues, should be private enterprise, not foreign aid. Though he began his political career as a leftist, he now believes in harnessing private businesses to nourish the economy and to create a middle class. Most of all, Mr. Museveni maintains, African nations must stop blaming colonialism for their problems and wean themselves off of direct aid from the West.

But perhaps the most revolutionary influence Mr. Museveni has exerted has been his willingness to interfere in the affairs of his neighbors. Under an unspoken set of rules, the strongman African leaders in the last 30 years almost never meddled in one another's affairs, no matter how despotic or brutal their regimes became.

One exception to this rule was the decision by Tanzania's President, Julius K. Nyerere, to invade Uganda in January 1979 to oust Idi Amin, the brutal Ugandan dictator. Mr. Museveni, now 53, learned on Mr. Nyerere's knee. He studied in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, becoming steeped in the older man's socialism.

When Idi Amin seized power in Uganda in a 1971 coup, Mr. Museveni -- the son of a cattle herder in southwest Uganda -- left his Government job and went into exile in Tanzania. He became a guerrilla commander, leading an army of 9,000 exiles in the Tanzania-led offensive to oust Mr. Amin.
After serving as a Cabinet member in two transitional Governments, Mr. Museveni ran for President in 1980 at the head of the Uganda Patriotic Movement party. But Milton Obote, a former President from the 1960's, was elected again in what was widely seen as a fraudulent vote.

Again Mr. Museveni retreated to the bush and took up arms, forming the National Resistance Movement. In 1986, he defeated the Government forces, marched into Kampala and named himself President.

Mr. Museveni has never lost his faith in using military force for what he sees as a just cause. In 1990, he sponsored an invasion by Rwandan Tutsi exiles living in Uganda, led by Mr. Museveni's former aide, Paul Kagame. The Tutsi army eventually took power in 1994 after a complicated war. The victory ended a genocide by Hutu against Tutsi civilians. It also finished the Government of Juvenal Habyarimana, the longtime Hutu autocrat in Rwanda.

In the Sudan, Mr. Museveni for years has aided the Sudan People's Liberation Army, led by his old comrade and classmate John Garang, against the Islamic fundamentalist Government in Khartoum.

But the recent victory of Laurent Kabila's troops over Mobutu Sese Seko's Government army in Congo marked perhaps the most impressive of Mr. Museveni's moves in the international arena.

For Mr. Museveni, Mr. Mobutu was the major obstacle to his dream of an African common market. He would like to see a collective of African nations -- ruled by people with similar philosophies -- with open trade between them and less dependence on the West. The idea goes back to Mr. Nyerere, who has said he always wanted to forge ''a United States of Africa.''

If Congo had an effective government, good roads, railroads and river traffic, the entire region would boom, including Uganda. But that was impossible under Mr. Mobutu's notoriously corrupt government, which let the nation's infrastructure slide back into the rain forest.

''Talk of the African common market is just a fable as long as you've got people like Mobutu,'' Mr. Museveni said.

Today Mr. Museveni, asked about his influence in the region, demurs saying that he has only shown the way to other like-minded leaders who have come to power now in places like Eritrea, Ethiopia, Zambia, Rwanda and Tanzania.

''We are not regional power brokers,'' he said. ''What is new now is that you are having more and more people who are like minded, of the same thinking, and once you have such people, they work together. There is nobody brokering them.''

''The people are waking up,'' he added. ''The people of Africa are waking up.''

sseki2010

May 18th, 2010, 01:15 PM

Kihihi r u leaving in Uganda or not, if u r not first get us the source of that post and if u r then u r an NRm povert, coz u cant write gud on a totally different person, where $500 millions are lost in Uganda through corruption, when Uganda are suffering from the biggest tribalistic sentiment, when only his tribesmen are gertting the lionshare, Kihihi, by the way neer talk about that when u r in Makerere university or in Kampala, never talk that in Kenyan studying in Makerere who run from Kenya to come and receive education and they are being shto down because thay want to be leaders, never say dat in the Kenyan parents who lost their students in recent makerer riots, never say that in northerners, EAsterners, Baganda, bateso, Acholi, Karamoja, Bagisu, say that to Ankole, Bakiga, bafumbira, BanyaRWanda, Bahiima, in the west.

kihihi

May 18th, 2010, 01:23 PM

Kenguy

May 18th, 2010, 07:59 PM

That was an article from 1997 written in the newyork times it was to just help show how museveni has changed since then.

I remember there was a time when many looked up to Museveni, especially Kenyans choking under Moi's dictatorial rule. I have no words for African leadership and how fast power corrupts.:ohno:

Kenguy

May 18th, 2010, 08:00 PM

desert burner

May 18th, 2010, 08:08 PM

^^they was an article on east Africa that had this heading "the continent cannot move ahead until our fathers die" its was discussing the political issues of museveni and zenawi, i can not see article now but it was great :)

kihihi

May 18th, 2010, 09:31 PM

I remember there was a time when many looked up to Museveni, especially Kenyans choking under Moi's dictatorial rule. I have no words for African leadership and how fast power corrupts.:ohno:

He may still redeem his legacy if he can help create a political federation in east africa, that could act as a stepping stone to a united africa and he will be remembered as the person who began it.That could be a greater legacy than even kwame Nkrumah or other post independence leaders.

BUTEMBO21

May 18th, 2010, 11:05 PM

He may still redeem his legacy if he can help create a political federation in east africa, that could act as a stepping stone to a united africa and he will be remembered as the person who began it.That could be a greater legacy than even kwame Nkrumah or other post independence leaders.

You truly think that would happen? Honestly without being biased. That's very unlikely. I don't think Kenya and TZ would want to loose their powers.

Xusein

May 19th, 2010, 02:42 AM

Well this entire article is crap if you look at the present day.

kihihi

May 19th, 2010, 08:17 AM

You truly think that would happen? Honestly without being biased. That's very unlikely. I don't think Kenya and TZ would want to loose their powers.

The leaders of east africa have already committed to regional integration so they already know they will lose powers i.e they hav accepted a common market which will disadvantage some of their economies. And i meant by him creating a political federation does not mean he will be the first leader that's highly unlikely, just that he has been the leader that has been pushing for it the most and history will remember him as the person behind the federation.

fortportal

May 19th, 2010, 12:42 PM

M7 better catch Kony first before he thinks about other countries.

Kenguy

May 19th, 2010, 06:35 PM

The leaders of east africa have already committed to regional integration so they already know they will lose powers i.e they hav accepted a common market which will disadvantage some of their economies. And i meant by him creating a political federation does not mean he will be the first leader that's highly unlikely, just that he has been the leader that has been pushing for it the most and history will remember him as the person behind the federation.

Yes. In the long term, but not with our current leaders for sure.

kihihi

May 28th, 2010, 08:59 PM

In most countries people dream of being able to retire at 50. In Uganda it may soon become law.

Bucking the trend of longer working lives across the world, Yoweri Museveni, the country's president, has directed his government to cut the retirement age for civil servants from 60 to 50. If implemented tens of thousands of teachers, judges, doctors, police officers and other administration officials will be immediately sent home, with a further 30,000 dispatched each year.

The stated intention of Museveni – himself 66 and going strong – is to free up public service positions for young people, who currently only stand a one in seven chance of getting a job. But the move has proved controversial, raising debate over the value of older workers – and the possible political motives of the plan.

The most vocal opposition has come from the unions, who say it is illegal to slash the retirement age without consulting them, and have warned of possible strike action.

"The president cannot just wake up one morning and do something like this," said Mary Kabole, general secretary of the Uganda Government and Allied Workers Union. "A person of 50 is still active and has a lot of useful experience."

Many Ugandans say the country cannot afford to discard so many skilled personnel, especially in areas such as health and education, where there is already a lack of manpower. There are also questions of how the government will meet the additional pension obligations.

But supporters of Museveni's directive argue that something drastic is needed to tackle youth unemployment. Uganda has one of the fastest growing and youngest populations in the world, with a typical woman having six children or more, and nearly 80% of the 32m citizens under the age of 30.

This makes the youth a powerful political constituency – especially with a presidential election due early next year – and has led to accusations that the main purpose of the proposed law is to win votes.

The National Youth Council has praised Museveni's move and threatened to hold public protests if the over-50s are not sent into retirement soon. Denis Obua, a 30-year-old MP who represents young people in parliament, said it did not make sense for Uganda to allow people to work until they were 60 when the country's males had a life expectancy of only 49 years.

"Workers must retire before they lose their productivity," he said. "We have people staying in the same position for too long."

kihihi

May 28th, 2010, 09:02 PM

what do u think should African countries with young populations reduce the retirement age as they too few jobs are in the hands of the older generation who are a clear minority?

Xusein

May 28th, 2010, 09:11 PM

Is he going to follow this? :D

desert burner

May 28th, 2010, 09:16 PM

charity begins at home, he has to show good example and lead from front like a general and retire it :)

yosef

May 28th, 2010, 09:26 PM

charity begins at home, he has to show good example and lead from front like a general and retire it :)

Instead of General, this time he will observe his troops from behind as a Rear Admiral :cheers:

Carver02

May 28th, 2010, 10:09 PM

Instead of General, this time he will observe his troops from behind as a Rear Admiral :cheers:

:cripes: :runaway:

BUTEMBO21

May 28th, 2010, 10:21 PM

Is he going to follow this? :D

Exactly. Example by starting with himself and his family members.

yosef

May 28th, 2010, 10:28 PM

:cripes: :runaway:
:lol:
Exactly. Example by starting with himself and his family members.
he will probably add an exclusion clause or something, It wont apply to him obviously

screenshotartist

May 28th, 2010, 11:57 PM

This gives the opportunity to young people.

Rather than having an unemployed Uni graduates because some 60 year old unqualified started working 30 years ago.

BUTEMBO21

May 29th, 2010, 02:37 AM

This gives the opportunity to young people.

Rather than having an unemployed Uni graduates because some 60 year old unqualified started working 30 years ago.

Exactly.

Beside; those people are old school anyways. we live in Digital age. something that most Old schoolers lack . They have to let the youngsters take over.

Alex Roney

May 29th, 2010, 03:58 AM

BUTEMBO21

May 29th, 2010, 04:05 AM

This is dumb, your going to get a swelled up pension system of 50 year old retirees living off government pensions. And who pays for all that? The Ugandan people, so instead of investing in education they'll be paying for a non productive perfectly able citizens to not work.

:lol: The president is so old and his is loosing it.

I think at least 57 would be make more sense.

Xusein

May 29th, 2010, 04:08 AM

Alex Roney

May 29th, 2010, 04:16 AM

:lol: The president is so old and his is loosing it.

I think at least 57 would be make more sense.

57?! I know people in great shape at 65 who work and think just fine. I have great respect to older people who retire and then serve their community by taking a less stressful job that may require less skill but keeps them busy. I love seeing those old 70 year old folks working as supermarket security and greet you at the door. Those people tend to have great pride in their work.

I'm a strong believer in keeping active long after retiring, otherwise you grow old faster and become miserable.

Alex Roney

May 29th, 2010, 04:18 AM

They shouldn't have a retirement age, let whoever is mentally fit and able to work do it. 50 is more than capable in most cases. Having a retirement age at 65 is already starting to look outdated with the improvements that technology has had done for health and life expectancy.

I agree but you'd have to find a proper way to evaluate whether someone is mentally fit to keep working. I mean psychological or IQ tests for older people can be quite a demeaning tool in figuring that out.

BUTEMBO21

May 29th, 2010, 04:28 AM

57?! I know people in great shape at 65 who work and think just fine. I have great respect to older people who retire and then serve their community by taking a less stressful job that may require less skill but keeps them busy. I love seeing those old 70 year old folks working as supermarket security and greet you at the door. Those people tend to have great pride in their work.

Totally agree with that.

Life would be horrible for those people.

I'm a strong believer in keeping active long after retiring, otherwise you grow old faster and become miserable.

True again.

Young men shouldn't even be going after State administrative jobs. I would prffer women to hold those kinds of jobs.

Young men must go into , business, ICT, and other labor intensive industries they are damn too young and strong for them to go for State admnistration jobs.

bayviews

May 29th, 2010, 04:40 AM

Retirement after a fixed number of years of service, rather than age, would be much more fair.

The big looming crises that we've been facing in the US while doing nothing is now staring us in the face.

Its just now dawning on cities, counties, & states, all across the country that they simply won't be able to make good on their bloated pensions plans.

88keys

May 29th, 2010, 07:49 AM

What kind of retirement scheme is available for those Civil Servants? How big is the package. Since people live longer these days, does it mean these people(those who are more healthier) will have to seek employment is other sectors of the economy? Is this a really reasonable proposal? To me it seems like it needs further consideration. Put all issues into consideration. A Doctor or Teacher may retire later. An Accountant or Govt Scientist is very young at 50. Maybe a Govt gardener is less effective at that age....

desert burner

May 29th, 2010, 12:09 PM

This gives the opportunity to young people.

Rather than having an unemployed Uni graduates because some 60 year old unqualified started working 30 years ago.

^^in my country its the norm, recycling the septuagenarians to head the governments departments, while energetic youngster with postgraduate degrees are tarmacking, :lol: the funny part in 2002 election, one man contested for the presidential election, the reason he could not a find a job in the country :lol: guess his qualifications he has 3 doctorates (PHD), his name is Dr Lihanda savai :shocked::shocked:

Kenguy

May 29th, 2010, 06:44 PM

This is dumb, your going to get a swelled up pension system of 50 year old retirees living off government pensions. And who pays for all that? The Ugandan people, so instead of investing in education they'll be paying for a non productive perfectly able citizens to not work.

Hello! In Africa, civil servants hardly work, especially the older ones. They wait for government salaries. I'd rather employ a younger person anyday.

sseki2010

May 29th, 2010, 07:05 PM

charity begins at home, he has to show good example and lead from front like a general and retire it :)

thats it desert burner

kihihi

June 4th, 2010, 09:13 AM

http://www.newvision.co.ug/NP/1275591129zulu.jpgA BRITON claiming to be hard up on Wednesday narrowly survived a mob after he grabbed a sleek cell phone from a Kampala city shop and ran away.

The man appeared before the Buganda Road magistrate, Matthias Tumwijuke, and pleaded guilty and was given a caution.

Wearing a black shirt, matching trousers and white shoes, Robert Hobson, 55, a retired British Airways engineer, walked to a shop and asked for a phone.

“He asked the attendants if they had a BlackBerry phone that would enable him access the Internet,” Monday Johnson Agaba, the Central Police Station crime chief, told The New Vision.
The shop, Nokia Phones, is located on Kirumira Towers on William Street in Kampala.

An attendant, Barbara Ruth Sseruga, handed Hobson the BlackBerry phone worth sh450,000.

“As soon as the attendants handed him the phone, he walked out of the shop without paying for it,” Agaba stated.

He hurried out of the building but Sseruga and colleagues made an alarm as they chased the haggard-looking Hobson. He was cornered near Radio One on Dastur Street.

According to the Police, angry people wanted to clobber Hobson, but some sympathised with him and called in the Police, who took him to safety. The phone was recovered.

Hobson reportedly confessed to stealing the phone, saying he had no money yet he had a wife and a six-year-old child to take care of. He blamed his woes on thieves.

Apparently, goons grabbed his bag, along with his bank cards, passport and other valuables while he was walking in Kamwokya, a Kampala suburb, recently.

To add insult to injury, his girlfriend, whom he was living with, chased him away from her house in Kisaasi, another suburb. Hobson had been visiting his girlfriend and child once a year.

He told the Police that he informed the British Embassy, which liaised with his relatives to process new travel documents for him.

Hobson tried to stop journalists from taking his photograph in vain. He attempted to flee from the Police station, but the officers intercepted him.

kihihi

June 4th, 2010, 09:17 AM

Came all the way to Africa to steal we should put in place stronger immigration laws to protect us from criminals from Europe.

screenshotartist

June 4th, 2010, 09:22 AM

This is not Racist

This happens to anyone in Uganda. I saw a guy getting burnt for theft, This Briton was just facing local treatment not a government law

diablo234

June 4th, 2010, 09:32 AM

Well if he stole the phone he deserved it.

u.g boy

June 4th, 2010, 10:09 AM

This is not Racist

This happens to anyone in Uganda. I saw a guy getting burnt for theft, This Briton was just facing local treatment not a government law

did u read the report he was attacked by mod and theft not the buganda or any local goverment. so technically thats common in uganda if someone steals from u . most people would call the police but so take in into their own hands.to be honest if u steal what do u exspect . im from uganda by the way.

desert burner

June 4th, 2010, 10:14 AM

did u read the report he was attacked by mod and theft not the buganda or any local goverment. so technically thats common in uganda if someone steals from u . most people would call the police but so take in into their own hands.to be honest if u steal what do u exspect . im from uganda by the way.

^^ug boy run, before the Britons cry for your blood too since your in their country :lol::crazy2:

u.g boy

June 4th, 2010, 10:14 AM

http://www.newvision.co.ug/NP/1275591129zulu.jpgA BRITON claiming to be hard up on Wednesday narrowly survived a mob after he grabbed a sleek cell phone from a Kampala city shop and ran away.

The man appeared before the Buganda Road magistrate, Matthias Tumwijuke, and pleaded guilty and was given a caution.

Wearing a black shirt, matching trousers and white shoes, Robert Hobson, 55, a retired British Airways engineer, walked to a shop and asked for a phone.

“He asked the attendants if they had a BlackBerry phone that would enable him access the Internet,” Monday Johnson Agaba, the Central Police Station crime chief, told The New Vision.
The shop, Nokia Phones, is located on Kirumira Towers on William Street in Kampala.

An attendant, Barbara Ruth Sseruga, handed Hobson the BlackBerry phone worth sh450,000.

“As soon as the attendants handed him the phone, he walked out of the shop without paying for it,” Agaba stated.

He hurried out of the building but Sseruga and colleagues made an alarm as they chased the haggard-looking Hobson. He was cornered near Radio One on Dastur Street.

According to the Police, angry people wanted to clobber Hobson, but some sympathised with him and called in the Police, who took him to safety. The phone was recovered.
^^^^^^

Hobson reportedly confessed to stealing the phone, saying he had no money yet he had a wife and a six-year-old child to take care of. He blamed his woes on thieves.

Apparently, goons grabbed his bag, along with his bank cards, passport and other valuables while he was walking in Kamwokya, a Kampala suburb, recently.

To add insult to injury, his girlfriend, whom he was living with, chased him away from her house in Kisaasi, another suburb. Hobson had been visiting his girlfriend and child once a year.

He told the Police that he informed the British Embassy, which liaised with his relatives to process new travel documents for him.

Hobson tried to stop journalists from taking his photograph in vain. He attempted to flee from the Police station, but the officers intercepted him.

look at the bold print and read it says he was saved by people who had sympathy for him and called the police . so his punishment would have been legal.the headline says he was arrested so why is everyone talking like he was killed for it.if you stole in the uk or america you would get arrested.

BUTEMBO21

June 4th, 2010, 10:19 AM

He will dispatch the message to other potential or pending peanut thieves. Sadly the bigger fish are never been treated like that. This isn't supposed to be news.

screenshotartist

June 4th, 2010, 01:55 PM

According to the Police, angry people wanted to clobber Hobson, but some sympathised with him and called in the Police, who took him to safety. The phone was recovered.

You highlighted it yourself.

did u read the report he was attacked by mob and theft not the buganda or any local goverment. so technically thats common in uganda if someone steals from u . most people would call the police but so take in into their own hands.to be honest if u steal what do u exspect . im from uganda by the way.

I never mentioned the buganda government :)

look at the bold print and read it says he was saved by people who had sympathy for him and called the police . so his punishment would have been legal.the headline says he was arrested so why is everyone talking like he was killed for it.if you stole in the uk or america you would get arrested.

You have really not proven a point against what I said.

I did not say the government or the law but the local treatment is what he received :) some nice people felt sorry and wished he was dealt with according to the law.

I was in UG and a guy also received the local traditional punishment of death by burning not by the Ugandan Police or the law but the people.

So my point was, the locals were not racist towards the man because he was white but that is the same treatment you get for theft

The E.N.D

June 4th, 2010, 03:42 PM

Came all the way to Africa to steal we should put in place stronger immigration laws to protect us from criminals from Europe.

HAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

abesha

June 4th, 2010, 04:26 PM

^^ Yes, that line had me rolling too :hilarious

Rdokoye

June 4th, 2010, 04:31 PM

Came all the way to Africa to steal we should put in place stronger immigration laws to protect us from criminals from Europe.

It’s a trend that’s been going on for the past 400 years. :ohno:

BUTEMBO21

June 4th, 2010, 04:48 PM

Came all the way to Africa to steal we should put in place stronger immigration laws to protect us from criminals from Europe.

Are you making sense? enforce immigration?:hahaha: with which governments? the ones that ship money to the Euro banks?

What we need is to Lynch these African regimes. not a peanut thief.

kaethar

June 4th, 2010, 06:32 PM

What? Was his phone part of the valuables stolen? Or was he planning on selling the phone? :crazy: Seems to be odd behaviour for an old man. :ohno:

UncleScrooge

June 4th, 2010, 07:06 PM

I'm all for the death penalty but I think it should be for crimes that are more along the lines of rape and murder, but if this is common according to the local way and not racism then hey... what can you do?

He probably would have deserved being beaten to death for being so dumb that he actually tried something like this in a country where your legal rights aren't on top.

I.M Boring

June 4th, 2010, 07:24 PM

1- The mentality of "clobering" individuals for common theft stems from the fact that the police would otherwise never catch the criminal (because of their HUGE lack of resources)
and the criminals would get off scot free. If the government gave the police what they needed to do their job, and the police did their job, then I think the mob mentality would go away.

2- What was the man thinking? Was he in some sort of financial trouble and had to take the risk of death to maybe gain access to the internet?

3- I think this was not a racist act. In general, people do get beaten up, even killed for petty crimes like stealing handbags or stealing a phone like in this case. Even the police sometimes take the law into their own hands. I remember an incident in Kenya in which the police shot dead seven criminals WHILE they were lying on the ground unarmed. This is obviously not very common, but unless such measures are taken, people migh think that having problems justifies stealing.

4- I wish people could do this to the individuals who steal billions of dollars every year from funds and projects intended specifically for helping the poor. Stealing from the poor to me is the worst crime short of torture or actually killing someone.

jules3c

June 5th, 2010, 02:49 AM

It’s a trend that’s been going on for the past 400 years. :ohno:

Yes it has been going on for 400 years, but remember it's called charity and western civilisation.

UncleScrooge

June 5th, 2010, 03:09 AM

It’s a trend that’s been going on for the past 400 years. :ohno:

Amazing how a thread about phone theft incident could instantly be turned into an issue about colonialism.

Besides, ain't this guy from your country?

desert burner

June 5th, 2010, 10:50 AM

Amazing how a thread about phone theft incident could instantly be turned into an issue about colonialism.

Besides, ain't this guy from your country?

^^unclescrooge, are you originally from Guinea Bissau, just curious :)

Jonesy55

June 5th, 2010, 11:18 AM

Why doesn't Uganda just deport this guy?

UncleScrooge

June 5th, 2010, 03:29 PM

^^unclescrooge, are you originally from Guinea Bissau, just curious :)

I tried to figure out what insanities come from Guinea Bissau, that could possibly make you draw this conclusion, but I'm still confused. The answer is no, but now I really want to know the answer why 'Guinea Bissau'.

desert burner

June 5th, 2010, 04:14 PM

I tried to figure out what insanities come from Guinea Bissau, that could possibly make you draw this conclusion, but I'm still confused. The answer is no, but now I really want to know the answer why 'Guinea Bissau'.

:lol::lol::lol: damn, come on sister, why only assume and focus negative things only? remember Guine Bissau put the African continent in the map by chilling the big boys Columbia, mexico and Afganistan for being the transit hub for those expensive commodities :banana: on serious note if you tell me your country i will tell you the reasons i choosed for that country,cool :lol:

UncleScrooge

June 5th, 2010, 04:25 PM

If you'd have read my profile you'd have known it was Finland, which I think I've said quite a few times in here I think - if I'm not confusing discussions I've had here with discussion in other sections of SSC. ;)

wonkcerbon

July 3rd, 2010, 01:44 PM

Top Rwanda genocide suspect arrested in Uganda

Fri Jul 2, 8:16 am ET

KAMPALA (AFP) – A fugitive suspect in Rwanda's 1994 genocide with a five-million dollar reward on his head has been arrested in Uganda, police said on Friday.

Jean-Bosco Uwinkindi, a Pentecostal pastor accused of helping to orchestrate the mass killings, was arrested after entering Uganda from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

According to a copy of his indictment, Uwinkindi, 59, was a pastor at a church near Kigali during the genocide, and allegedly collaborated with an extremist political organisation that professed hatred for the Tutsi ethnic group.

In early April 1994, Uwinkindi is accused of helping to organise and instruct groups of Hutus to kill Tutsis, and after allowing Tutsi women and children to seek refuge in his church, he ordered their execution, according to the indictment.

The US State Department, through its Rewards for Justice programme, had previously offered a five-million-dollar reward for information leading to Uwinkindi's arrest.

Uganda's independent Daily Monitor newspaper reported Friday that Uwinkindi entered the country using the alias Jean Inshitu and was attempting to buy land and settle under that assumed name.

Several clergymen have been accused of playing roles in the 1994 genocide. The most senior to be arrested by the ICTR was an Anglican bishop, Samuel Musabyimana. He died in January 2003 before his trial opened.

The first prelate to be sentenced by the ICTR, Adventist pastor Elizaphan Ntakirutimana, died at the beginning of 2007, just a week after he finished serving a 10-year sentence.

The other priests indicted by the tribunal are all Catholics. Among them Athanase Seromba, a priest from the western parish of Nyange, is serving a life sentence and Emmanuel Rukundo, a former military chaplain, is appealing against a 25-year sentence.

news.yahoo.com (http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100702/wl_africa_afp/rwandaugandagenocidearrest)

Blue sun

July 5th, 2010, 12:11 AM

What goes around comes around.

sseki2010

July 23rd, 2010, 03:10 PM

In his inaugural address as professor of history at Makerere University on June 18, 1986, the highly respected Ugandan historian, Samwiri Karugire, spelt out the problems of Africa. In a lecture titled “Wind of Change or Merely Change in the Wind? African Polities since Independence,” Karugire said the biggest ills of our continent are “numbing corruption and nepotism.”

“It is because of these gross malfeasances,” Karugire reasoned, “that our rulers become insecure in their sumptuous offices and therefore they must surround themselves with their own relatives with whom, of course, they loot the national treasury.”

Quoting journalist David Lamb, Karugire said: “The slain President William Tolbert of Liberia, when he was president of that country, made his brother Frank, president of the senate; another brother Stephen minister of finance; his sister Lucia was appointed mayor of the city of Bentol; one of his sons Ambassador at Large, his daughter Wilhemina presidential physician; his niece Tula, presidential dietician; his three nephews respectively, assistant minister for presidential affairs, agricultural attaché in Rome and vice governor of the national bank; his four sons in-law respectively, minister of defence, deputy minister of works, commissioner for immigration and board member for Air Liberia. One brother-in-law was appointed to the senate, another as ambassador to Guinea and yet another as mayor of the capital city, Monrovia.”

Tolbert was behaving like African despots of his time like Marshal Mobutu Sese Seko of then Zaire, Daniel arap Moi of Kenya, Omar Bongo of Gabon, Gnasingbe Eyadema of Togo, Obiang Ngwena of Equatorial Guinea, etc. So has Uganda gone through a wind of change or a mere change in the wind in regard to these African political practices? If he were still alive today, what would Karugire say about President Yoweri Museveni’s Uganda especially given that his son, Edwin Karugire, is married to first daughter, Natasha?

Anatomy of family rule
Muhoozi Kainerugaba Museveni

Previously a critic of political patrimony, there is growing concern even among those closest to him that Museveni is treading the long trodden path that Karugire condemned 23 years ago. For example, Museveni has appointed his wife, Mrs Janet Museveni, as state minister for Karamoja; his brother, Gen. Salim Saleh, formerly a minister of state for micro finance, as Senior Presidential Advisor on defence, a job at the same rank as a cabinet minister; his brother-in-law, Sam Kutesa, minister of foreign affairs; his son, Muhozi Keinerugaba, commander of the Special Forces, his daughter Natasha Karugire, Private Secretary to the president in charge of Household.

Museveni has also appointed his nephew, Joseph Ekwau (son of his younger sister Violet Kajubiri), Private Secretary to the President in charge of Medical Services (HIV//AIDS); his sister Miriam Karugaba as Administrator at State House (she is semi-literate) and her husband (therefore Museveni’s brother-in-law), Jimmy Karugaba, as Officer in Charge (OC) of the Accounts Department at State House. Museveni has also appointed his sister-in-law, Jolly Sabune, Executive Director of Cotton Development Authority, his niece-in-law, Hope Nyakairu, Undersecretary for Administration and Finance at State House, his cousin Bright Rwamirama, State Minister for Animal Husbandry, his other cousin, Faith Katana Mirembe, Assistant Private Secretary in charge of Education and Social Services and Justus Karuhanga, Private Secretary to the President in charge of Legal Affairs who is a nephew to Mrs Museveni.
Salim Saleh Akandwanaho

There is no doubt that people like Saleh and Kutesa merit their positions. Saleh is a war hero who distinguished himself as a brilliant and brave rebel commander while Kutesa is one of the veteran politicians on Uganda’s political scene. But equally Uganda has many competent people who can perform their roles. If the president sought to avoid being accused of nepotism, there was enough talent to choose from to make public appointments.

Many observers say that increasing family influence in government has gone hand in hand with the informalisation of power. Thus, although formal authority is vested in official institutions, effective power is wielded by this informal clique of family and kin. The official structure presents a semblance of national ethno-regional and religious diversity to win the regime legitimacy. The informal but highly powerful structure of the closest of the president’s family and kin is the “real” government.

Replicating Africa’s curse
Natasha Museveni Karugire

Apparently, this reflects the shift of attention from the promise of “fundamental change” to the slogan of “no change” that has become the rallying cry of regime functionaries. The informalisation of power in Uganda echoes other African countries. One example is Donor Cruise O’Brien’s 1975 book on politics in Senegal: Saints and Politicians. According to O’Brien, politics in Senegal is organised through factions, otherwise called “clans.” But the clan in Senegalese politics is not defined by kinship although that may exist and help reinforce political solidarity within a given political group.

Instead, O’Brien writes, “the clan” is basically a “political faction operating within the institutions of the state and the governing party; it exists above all to promote the interests of its members through political competition, and its first unifying principle is the prospect of material rewards of political success. Political office and the spoils of office are the very definition of success: loot is the clanic totem.” Sounds like Uganda today?

In his 1979 article The Administration of Underdevelopment, David Gould revealed a similar practice in Mobutu’s Zaire. He argued that power was organised at the very top around a “presidential clique.” This was composed mainly of about 50 of the president’s “closest kinsmen” whom Mobutu trusted. They occupied the most sensitive and lucrative positions of state like “head of the Judiciary Council, Secret Police, Interior Ministry, President’s Office and so on.” In his last days, Mobutu’s son Nzanga was a presidential advisor while another, Kongolo, was commander of the dreaded Special Presidential Division (DSP).

Next to the kinsmen/women, Gould revealed, was the “presidential brotherhood”! Though not from the president’s ethnic group, their positions depended on their personal ties with Mobutu and his clique. Is Uganda’s power structure moving towards Mobutu’s Zaire? It already has; our equivalent of the brotherhood would include people like Security Minister, Amama Mbabazi. So much is the level of patrimony in Museveni’s presidency that many Ugandans wonder how a man who publicly despised Mobutu and that generation of African dictators could have so easily gone the same way; the way none of his predecessors Milton Obote or Idi Amin can be accused of having gone.

Why family rule?
Odrek Rwabwogo

For Dr Oloka Onyango, a Makerere University lecturer and head of the Human Rights and Peace Centre (HURIPEC), the signs were always there from the very beginning that this is the way it would be.

“Museveni’s policy has always been to construct personal rule, not institutional rule. He has destroyed all institutions. And you could see this from the very beginning,” Dr Oloka told The Independent, adding; “This is the trajectory he took from 1989 – consolidation and marginalisation. So when you take that course, you have very few options especially in the new international setting i.e. who can best insulate you from the International Criminal Court (ICC) if not family [son and brother].

Oloka said that the problems former Zambian President, Frederick Chiluba has faced at the hands of his successor and presumed protégé, Levy Mwanawasa and problems former Malawian President Bakili Muluzi is facing at the hands of his chosen successor, Bingu wa Mutharika mean you cannot trust your successor except family. “There are very few Moi-like successors,” Oloka said, “So you rely on those who have 150% loyalty and these are blood relatives. For Museveni, there are only two people he can trust – Saleh and his son Muhoozi.”

Indeed this is a view shared more or less by Charles Onyango-Obbo, a senior Ugandan journalist based in Nairobi and probably the country’s foremost political commentator. “One reason Museveni ended up with so many relatives in key security positions, is that fairly early in his presidency he sought to entrench his power by limiting the independent growth of his party, the NRM, and to dismantle the institutions of state (which he had, admittedly, helped rebuild considerably because he needed them for the reconstruction effort in his first 10 years in power). But one can never govern without organised institutions, and a force you can rely on to counter challenges to your authority. That is how, among other reasons, the security forces became the bedrock of Museveni’s power,” Obbo told The Independent in a telephone interview from Nairobi.
Jovia Saleh

Like his erstwhile colleagues, the military has inevitably been the focus of Museveni’s patrimony. According to a survey carried out by The Independent last year and published in its Issue 4 (Jan. 25 – Feb. 7, 2008), 74 per cent of the 23 top command positions in the “national” army, Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), are held by officers from Museveni’s western region. Other regions like Buganda (central) hold 17 per cent, the north 9 per cent and the east zero per cent! All the five full generals in the UPDF – Yoweri Museveni, David Tinyefuza, Elly Tumwine, Salim Saleh and Aronda Nyakairima are from the president’s sub-ethnic group, the Bahima.

While the president has often attributed this imbalance to historical circumstances of his NRA rebellions that started with mostly his tribesmen, pundits say almost 40 years since he started his struggle in 1971 should have been more than enough to rectify the imbalance. Instead, they point to a systematic attempt to cement a patrimony.

“Once he dismantled state institutions and stifled the party,” says Obbo, “within the security apparatus, he needed a rationale for apportioning power inside it. Since he had turned his back on meritocracy in the public service and politics, he could not run the security services based on meritocracy. Because the security services lacked the diversity of the NRM party, and there was little or no direct disloyalty to Museveni,
Kellen Kayonga

he could only use a subjective criterion to allocate authority in the security services, and so he went tribal in a general sense, and in very key jobs, he relied on the family. Narrow as these are, they still represent some kind of criteria – blood relationship.”

How has it been possible?

The question many people will ask is how Museveni, without the advantage enjoyed by early African dictators who inherited the colonial machinery amidst illiteracy, poverty, ignorance and lack of institutions, could have successfully built a patrimony in this age of democracy and enlightenment?

“Historically, family dictatorships largely exist in states that are weak; the elite leaders are not organised and there is lack of a common national consciousness. This is exactly what is in Uganda now and that is why Museveni is able to use family rule without fear,” leading Kampala lawyer David Mpanga told The Independent.

Dr Oloka agrees that there are few institutional checks to hold Museveni accountable because it was not envisaged during the constitutional making process how the extent of abuse could go. “State House is uncontrolled like intelligence; there are no controls on the president so it’s the president’s plaything,” he says.
Alice Kaboyo

But for veteran politician Jaberi Bidandi Ssali, who co-founded the Uganda Patriotic Movement (UPM) with Museveni in 1980 and served as minister in his NRM government from 1986 to 2003, Museveni has taken this course not simply because of weak institutional safeguards but also because the president lacked political grooming.

“The fundamental problem Museveni has is the fact that he never had an opportunity to associate with elders in politics when he was still in his youth, his formative stage; leaders like Ignatius Musaazi, Engulu and the Bikangagas. He has always looked at politics in terms of him becoming the leader and in the process lost out on the possibility of guidance. Instead of learning from them he has always been trashing them one by one. Museveni is a politician who ran out of school, served in government, learnt how to fire the gun and then shot himself into power. And that is why he is using family rule with impunity. He seems to be the ‘I-know-it-all, solve-it-all, giver of jobs and the fountain of favours’,” Bidandi says.

The uses of family rule

While opinion is divided as to whether President Museveni’s institution of a neo-patrimonial regime was an act of omission or commission, there is unanimity as to how much this system has helped him retain power for so long, writing himself in the books of history as the longest serving leader the country has had. Neo-patrimonial regimes survive because of a combination of factors like patronage, coercion, blackmail, bribery, etc. It is a strategy that was well learned by the Museveni regime.
Jolly Sabune

“Apart from his tactic of rewarding the southern middle class, this reliance on family actually helped Museveni,” says Obbo. “In the short term, it reduced the level of discordance in the inner sanctum of power. Secondly, it created a fairly large constituency in the security establishment that had both a subjective and objective interest in Museveni’s survival.”

Thus, the way Maj. Okwiri Rabwoni [late Brig. Noble Mayombo’s renegade brother] was handled in 2001 at Entebbe Airport and the shameless way former presidential candidate Col. Kizza Besigye was treated in 2005/06, that disregarded all law and the image of regime are embedded in this neo-patrimonial system.

“A professional security officer wouldn’t do those things out of partisan reasons,” Obbo has reasoned, “He needs something additional– a primordial fear that a Besigye regime would punish you and all your family because you are blood relatives of Museveni – to provoke that extreme response in defence of the man. The best way to understand this is that while Amin killed far more people than the Museveni regime, we never saw people like Chief Justice Ben Kiwanuka, Archbishop Janan Luwum, Vice Chancellor Frank Kalimuzo, etc brutalised publicly. They were taken to Namanve or the Nakasero State Research Bureau dungeons and brutally murdered out of public sight.”

According to Obbo, the reason is that Amin had many tribesmen in his service, but not relatives. The irrational fear of loss of privileges that drives Museveni loyalists to be excessive in public because they feel the whole family is threatened is one that didn’t afflict the Amin regime. That cohesiveness, Obbo believes, has allowed Museveni to hold things longer than all Uganda’s previous post-independence regimes combined.

Obviously, the military alone cannot guarantee survival of the regime so it is imperative to build a patrimony in business and in politics, especially in light of the increasing need to use money to buy political support. Thus the president has many of his relatives and in-laws well placed in legitimate business.
Bright Rwamirama

Some of the most prominent include Hannington Karuhanga, chairman UGACOF, a leading coffee exporting company and chairman of Stanbic Bank. He is a cousin to Mrs Museveni and is also married to a sister to the Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Aronda Nyakairima. Although Karuhanga has made his mark on the business scene through personal hard work, his connections to the first family and the likely benefits it offers have not gone unnoticed.

Mrs Jovia Saleh: A wealthy business lady who is into real estate and a host of other businesses is wife of the younger brother to President Museveni, Gen. Saleh. Her sister Kellen Kayonga, is an accomplished business lady in this country; she recently won the lucrative deal of exporting security guards to the troubled Iraq through a security company Askar. She is the young sister to Jovia Saleh and therefore a sister-in-law to Gen. Saleh.

Odrek Rwabwogo: The proprietor of Terp Consults, a public relations company that has handled some of the government’s biggest events and programmes, the most notable being the $1 million ‘Gifted by Nature’ campaign on CNN and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). He marries Museveni’s daughter Patience. Of course other relatives like Kutesa, who owns Entebbe Handling Services (ENHAS) straddle the space between business and politics.

Museveni’s relatives’ pre-eminence in business, says Dr Oloka, is not only “an attempt to distance himself from personal corruption i.e. that it is those around him that are corrupt,” but has also been dictated by the current economic trends. Thus whereas in the past generation regimes used state corporations to build their patronage network, liberalisation has left the current generation of patriarchs with limited options. “Now Museveni must employ them directly in government and in State House, or let them play a big role in business,” he says.

Be that as it may, the president’s relatives can still be traced in the few remaining parastatals and public statutory bodies. For instance, Don Nyakairu, the Corporation Secretary of Uganda Telecom Ltd (UTL), is husband to Mrs Museveni’s cousin Hope Nyakairu at State House.

Where will it all end?
Edwin Karugire

“No regime of patronage except perhaps Togo’s Eyadema has survived to the next generation. But Togo did not have a history of conflict like Uganda has had. Museveni may therefore try to survive but he may not succeed,” says Dr Oloka.

Bidandi too is pessimistic about Museveni’s patrimony: “It’s a nasty practice and I pity his lineage on the basis of what history can give as lessons in different countries.”

So while it is certain that Museveni is patrimony will collapse tomorrow or the other day, the extent of its collapse is perhaps best illustrated by Onyango-Obbo. “The disadvantage of this creation of and reliance on a family akazu [rule] is that you do not create a buffer between your family and your enemies, because there aren’t enough non-relatives in the inner eating circle. Thus a Museveni regime’s collapse will affect more members of his family more quickly and directly than it did Obote’s or Amin’s. Also, because you have no buffer, very few of them will help your relatives escape in the event of a coup, for example, because you have not cultivated a large enough constituency of ‘subjective loyalty’ for people to take high risks to aid your flight.”

Interestingly of all Ugandan presidents, none of them has been as obsessed about legacy as Museveni. And he will rule longer than any other president probably ever will again. Yet, ironically, because of his irrational dependence on family, his legacy will disappear faster than those of presidents who ruled for fewer years.

Again, if his family-rule structure has the risk of decimating more of his family in the event of his coming to an abrupt end, it means there shall not be too many people out there to keep his story alive, to cling on to his good works, and to insist on an accurate recording of the history of his rule. For that, one needs to have inner, outer, far outer, and farther out layers of people who feel they are included in the intimate workings of your government, to carry on your memory. If these people are not there, you will be forgotten more quickly. Thus the irony is that Milton Obote – and people like DP’s Ben Kiwanuka – will live longer in history as positive mentions, than Museveni.

Uganda Independent, Kampala.

http://blackstarnews.com/blog/?p=418

kihihi

October 10th, 2010, 04:14 PM

Kampala is willing to pay any price, including the possibility of a flare-up of insurgency and poor diplomatic relations, to ensure the secession of oil-rich Southern Sudan from the North should next year’s referendum decides in its favour — as it is widely expected to do.

This determination was evident when President Yoweri Museveni began his address to a United Nations Security Council meeting in Entebbe, Uganda last week, by asking the UN not to delay the referendum.

The Ugandan leader’s position is by far the strongest show of support by a head of state yet for the break-up of Sudan.

In a closed session, Museveni told UN Security Council envoys, “Uganda will cope with the fallout from the referendum the way it has coped since 1955 but for a brief 10-year lull.”

The closed-door meeting also discussed the Somali crisis and the recent UN report published early this month detailing alleged atrocities committed by the Rwanda and Uganda armies in Congo.

Uganda’s position on the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Sudan is so far the boldest in the region, and that firmness is likely to boost calls on Khartoum and the international community to expedite the preparations for the referendum.

Kampala was the major sponsor of the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army/ Movement that is currently ruling in Southern Sudan.

“The referendum is very crucial and delaying it is highly risky. It is better to involve the UN in the organisation rather than waiting to see what happens after the results,” Museveni was quoted as saying by his press secretary Tamale Mirundi.

The Council’s 15-member delegation, which included diplomats from Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States, were in Kampala for consultations.

After the Wednesday meeting, the delegates headed to the conflict-wracked Darfur region, then on to Southern capital Juba and the capital Khartoum on a fact-finding mission.

Museveni’s position on Sudan is widely interpreted to mean that Uganda expects that self-determination by South Sudan through a free and fair referendum in Sudan (slated for January 2011) could bring stability in Africa’s largest country.

But the Uganda leader did not rule out accepting the outcome of the referendum should the Southerners vote for unity with the North.

This is possibly the reason he pointed out that the African Union did not support the International Criminal Court’s indictment of President Omar al-Bashir because they thought it would jeopardise the peace process in Sudan.

So, though the referendum does not imply an automatic secession since the South could still choose unity, Museveni believes the difference would be that the choice would have been achieved democratically as opposed to through coercion.

However, there are fears the world over that a break-up of Sudan could spark a new conflict after nearly 50 years of civil strife that ended with a 2005 peace accord. The referendum on self-determination in Southern Sudan and the small region of Abyei are currently slated for January 9, 2011.

So far, preparations for the voting are seriously behind schedule, heightening fears of a unilateral declaration of independence and possible conflict if there is a delay.

Voter registration has not started and cannot be ready on time for a January 9 vote, according to diplomatic sources. There is not even a North-South border.

Some diplomats suspect President Omar al-Bashir has been deliberately dragging his feet over the referendum.

But President Museveni argues that such laxity is all the more reason the UN should become more involved in assuring a transparent process, instead of waiting till things go wrong.

UN officials have been saying privately that they expect the referendum could be “messy’ and “delayed” but that there are signs that Khartoum is already resigned to losing the South and neither side wants a new war.

Reported by Charles Kazooba and Julius Barigaba

Hadrami

October 10th, 2010, 04:41 PM

I don't think any country is "willing to pay any price to support the secession of another".
Unless it serves her interests ... >>> oil

Does Uganda has good relations with (North-)Sudan ?

kihihi

October 10th, 2010, 04:56 PM

I don't think any country is "willing to pay any price to support the secession of another".
Unless it serves her interests ... >>> oil

Does Uganda has good relations with (North-)Sudan ?

Uganda has already discovered its own oil so that is not the issue. The main reason is southern Sudan is currently Uganda's largest export market any chaos in southern Sudan will severely affect our economy.This is likely if the north rejects the results of the referendum.

The relationship with northern Sudan is very poor as both sides accuse each other of supporting their enemies i.e Sudan supported LRA while Uganda supported the SPLA.

BUTEMBO21

October 10th, 2010, 05:11 PM

South-Sudan has connection with Uganda (not just economically, but Culturally more importantly).

Hadrami

October 10th, 2010, 05:15 PM

Uganda has already discovered its own oil so that is not the issue. The main reason is southern Sudan is currently Uganda's largest export market any chaos in southern Sudan will severely affect our economy.This is likely if the north rejects the results of the referendum.

The relationship with northern Sudan is very poor as both sides accuse each other of supporting their enemies i.e Sudan supported LRA while Uganda supported the SPLA.

Ok i see it's really eco-strategic and also i guess Ugandans feel in their hearts for the Southern Sudanese.

abesha

October 10th, 2010, 06:08 PM

Uganda should not involve itself in South Sudan. Do you guys need another war? I don't think so.

u.g boy

October 10th, 2010, 07:42 PM

Uganda should not involve itself in South Sudan. Do you guys need another war? I don't think so.

true but as butemboo said north uganda and south sudan are very connected the acholi tribe sprouts in s.sudan. and yes s.sudan and ugandan trade is at an all time high its really benefiting northen uganda in perticular . they need as much work,jobs and money as possible since n.uganda just got out of a war s.sudan is helping rebuild n.uganda.

popa1980

October 10th, 2010, 07:51 PM

It would have made more sense for SS and Uganda to be one country rather than joining the south with the "arab" north.

young_mulla

October 10th, 2010, 07:51 PM

No matter their interests, thank you Uganda for doing the right thing :)

Xusein

October 10th, 2010, 08:25 PM

Jeez, Uganda is everywhere these days.

CologneOujda

October 10th, 2010, 10:25 PM

...

CologneOujda

October 10th, 2010, 10:28 PM

Forget USA, forget China and forget Russia! Uganda will conquer the world!
Maybe Algeria and Uganda should make an "Alliance of spliting neighboring countries".

mwanamwiwa

October 10th, 2010, 10:35 PM

Uganda should not involve itself in South Sudan. Do you guys need another war? I don't think so.

Too late.IGAD nations,including Ethiopia have vowed to see that the referendum takes place at the agreed time.Ethiopia is already putting the North to task about the Abbyei issue in Addis Ababa as we speak.Kibaki held a meeting with the two Sudanese vice presidents in NY during the UN summit two weeks ago and 'urged' them to proceed with the referndum as stipulated in the CPA.Now Uganda adds her voice into the matter.This is critically necessary because the North is already playing dirty as we approach the dates.

abesha

October 10th, 2010, 10:41 PM

^^ There is a difference insisting the referendum agreed to happens to avoid war (which is neutral), and blatantly supporting one side over the other.

Ethiopia is one of very few countries that can talk to both the North and South. If Meles was running his mouth about his support for one particular side, Ethiopia wouldn't be the mediator.

mwanamwiwa

October 10th, 2010, 10:42 PM

Ok i see it's really eco-strategic and also i guess Ugandans feel in their hearts for the Southern Sudanese.

Yes.South Sudan is the ancestral homeland of the Luo,Karamojong and most other Nilotic tribes in Kenya.A lot of their culture and customs is identical. :)

mwanamwiwa

October 10th, 2010, 10:50 PM

^^ There is a difference insisting the referendum agreed to happens (which is neutral), and blatantly supporting one side over the other.

You are politically right,I guess.I prefer to call a spade a spade. :)

Xusein

October 10th, 2010, 11:06 PM

Forget USA, forget China and forget Russia! Uganda will conquer the world!

LOL. :lol:

young_mulla

October 10th, 2010, 11:49 PM

blatantly supporting one side over the other.

It's supporting the oppressed to gain freedom and it's what anyone who has a conscience would do.

abesha

October 10th, 2010, 11:57 PM

lol

Ok.

Simfan34

October 10th, 2010, 11:57 PM

Forget USA, forget China and forget Russia! Uganda will conquer the world!
Maybe Algeria and Uganda should make an "Alliance of spliting neighboring countries".

Don't forget Ethiopia!

young_mulla

October 11th, 2010, 12:47 AM

lol

Ok.

What's the "lol" for. Please tell.
Do you know anything about the history of the conflict and how the north plundered and devastated the south? About all those lives lost, including half of my family?
Please don't "lol" about it, thanks.

abesha

October 11th, 2010, 01:29 AM

I'm loling because you think Museveni cares about the oppression in Sudan? How about he starts by not oppressing Ugandans themselves. It's naive to think that politicians act from noble beliefs.

African Lion

October 13th, 2010, 01:53 AM

There "was" a south sudan and north sudan. The British put them together in the 1950s as one country and it has been a disaster. 50 years of war took place and Khartoum agreed to give the south there "real" self determinism. Let the southerners decide there fate and be done with it.

Trelawny

October 13th, 2010, 04:04 AM

I think it would be best to separate.

Simfan34

October 13th, 2010, 04:24 AM

I'd say something but I'd be called a hypocrite... however I think that statement makes it clear that I support Southern Sudanese independence.

silence us

October 13th, 2010, 07:33 AM

south sudan will just be another african failure, why should we entertain more failures?

kihihi

October 13th, 2010, 08:31 AM

south sudan will just be another african failure, why should we entertain more failures?

U assume it has been a success when it is unified with northern Sudan and will all of sudden regress when it gains independence.

silence us

October 13th, 2010, 09:24 AM

U assume it has been a success when it is unified with northern Sudan and will all of sudden regress when it gains independence.
now that south sudan is separating from "arabs" it won't have anyone to fight but itself, let the failures and internal power struggles begin!

Kenguy

October 13th, 2010, 04:37 PM

south sudan will just be another african failure, why should we entertain more failures?

Because they have a right to determine their destiny. Look at most of Africa. At one point or the other, most of our countries slipped and fell but are now finally finding their feet.

Southern Sudan will face many challenges and Im sure the journey ahead for them will not be easy but what I care about is how they will deal with those challenges. They might slip and fall but in the end they must rise again. Just look at what has been achieved in the last few years of peace. That alone tells a story of a people with great potential.

young_mulla

October 13th, 2010, 05:50 PM

I'm loling because you think Museveni cares about the oppression in Sudan? How about he starts by not oppressing Ugandans themselves. It's naive to think that politicians act from noble beliefs.

Read my first post in this thread, I said that no matter what reasons Uganda has, I thank them anyway because what they do is the right thing to do.
If someone saves you from drowning because he wants to be a hero and appear on TV, do you question his motives and refuse his help or do you thank him for saving your life?
As it stands right now the whole thing is explosive and it might blow up into another war any moment, the north is desperate and the south needs all the allies it can get.

Sky Ome

October 14th, 2010, 02:58 AM

African Lion

October 14th, 2010, 03:25 AM

Off-topic
If I am not confused, the Northern Ugandans dislike their current government, and share almost the same culture as the Southern Sudan (who also dislike their government). Both regions are rich in oil. Hence, they might as form some sort of union(hoping that the Northern Sudan doesn't try to provoke tension).

Oh brother, why complicate things any further. Remember that south sudan is hundreds of ethnic groups as well. Its not like they are nation/cohesive states. Lets see what the south decides and go slowly from there. If the north respects the vote which i dont think they will,independence will be enevitable.

Simfan34

October 14th, 2010, 04:06 AM

Oh brother, why complicate things any further. Remember that south sudan is hundreds of ethnic groups as well. Its not like they are nation/cohesive states. Lets see what the south decides and go slowly from there. If the north respects the vote which i dont think they will,independence will be enevitable.
Ooh! Ooh! Maybe they should have "ethnic federalism" and promote" Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples".

And then they can complain of "Dinka chauvinism" and form groups like the "Acholi Liberation Front"!
Because that works so well!

African Lion

October 14th, 2010, 04:34 AM

Ooh! Ooh! Maybe they should have "ethnic federalism" and promote" Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples".

And then they can complain of "Dinka chauvinism" and form groups like the "Acholi Liberation Front"!
Because that works so well!

I know, Deuchbag woyane has completely ruined ethiopia with that nonsense. Instead of Ethiopians its the nation, nationalities and peoples... OF WHAT? There anti ethiopianism is appalling.

Southern Sudan needs to learn from that failure of politicizing ethnicity and take the US model instead of the USSR model. You see which country succeeded and which failed right.

Janub

November 10th, 2010, 05:52 PM

Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport has signed two contracts worth $1.2 billion on the deliveries of 16 jet fighters to Algeria and another six fighters to Uganda, the Russian Vedomosti daily reported on Monday.

The two African nations will receive different models of the Su-30 Flanker fighters. Algiers will receive 16 Su-30-MKI(A)s and Kampala will receive six Su-30MK2s, the paper said.

In 2008, Algiers cancelled the delivery of 34 MiG-29 Fulcrum multi-role fighters because of flaws in design. The Russian military bought the rejects for its own use.

Su-30 Flankers in various models have also been sold to India. India has so far received 120 out of the 230 jets it has ordered. Malaysia has also received 18 fighters.

Rosoboronexport has closed some $7.5 billion worth of arms export deals since the beginning of the year. According to the company's head, Anatoly Isaikin, Russia signed $15 billion worth of contracts during 2009.

MOSCOW, April 5 (RIA Novosti)

Finally nice to see Uganda rebuilding its military might. Uganda is taking on responsible tasks in facing Africa's most complex and dangerous conflict, its nice to see her treating herself with a justified defense purchase. :cheers:

lordangers5

November 10th, 2010, 06:14 PM

Lol this is months old and it was discredited by leading Ugandan military heads. They say they are only sending back Mig-21's and the like for upgrades and whatever. If this was happening I think it would be one of the biggest let downs. The Ugandan military pays it's troops some of the worst wages in East Africa (Way behind the likes of Kenya) yet some news reporter makes a story based on one Russian site that they are paying billions for a small air force. They try and hype it up saying it will spark an "arms race". I dont understand what the Russian company was thinking? Mind you may be it is true? Doesnt make sense but leading Ugandan ministers are saying they will not disclose whether this is true or not. Yet they say this on the fact that it is supposed to stay secret. Hmmm may be then. But still this is months old.

Naija Attitude

November 10th, 2010, 06:36 PM

Whats the essence of this threat Janube? Trying to bring Uganda into the Big Boys of Africa league or what?

Naija Attitude

November 19th, 2010, 06:16 PM

November 19, 2010: The government now estimates that the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) has only 200 fighters. Other sources put its strength at 350 to 400. The LRA remains dangerous, having murdered around 2000 civilians in the last two years. They have hit unprotected villages in the Congo, Central African Republic, and southern Sudan. This is why many insist the government's campaign has failed. That depends on what you call failure, at least if considered from the Ugandan perspective. The LRA's ranks have been substantially diminished. In 2002 and 2003, LRA strength ran from 4,000 to 5,000 fighters. At that time the LRA had bases in southern Sudan but also maintained active cadres in northern Uganda. Northern Uganda has now been relatively free of LRA cadres for around three years. Indeed, the LRA is now a regional terrorist and criminal problem. That's terrible, and no one argues the organization should not be stopped. The LRA commits heinous crimes. But from a political perspective this means the remnant LRA has more enemies. That's fine with the Ugandan government .

November 17, 2010: Because of internal security concerns (terror threats among them), the government announced that it was suspending leave for members of Ugandan security forces (presumably including national police) until March 2011. The statement mentioned security concern for crowds gathering for holiday festivities. The July terror strikes were carried out during the World Cup football (soccer) tournament. Targets included cafes where large crowds were watching the soccer tournament.

November 13, 2010: The government is taking steps to improve security at its virus and agricultural research laboratories. The complaints of lax security turned out to be legitimate. Uganda holds samples of the Ebola virus because the virus is endemic to central Africa. The country itself suffered an Ebola outbreak in 2007. Ugandan medical personnel have also reported that it often takes a long time for biological samples to reach the laboratories so that a disease can be identified. That is due, in part, to reliance on ground transportation via a primitive road network. Uganda is concerned that a terrorist group could use Ebola or some other endemic disease as a bio-weapon. A terrorist group could raid a lab or intercept a sample enroute to a lab. The concern is legitimate, given threats against Uganda from the Somalia Islamist extremist organization Al Shabaab. The government is seeking aid from international donors to upgrade the labs' capabilities as well as improve their protection. An air delivery system for samples from distant sites would speed up sample gathering as well as reduce the possibility of attacking a courier.

November 12, 2010: The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF, an ally of Al Shabaab) may be trying to set up a base inside the country. The ADF has bases inside the Democratic Republic of Congo, in the Rwenzori Mountains area. The Congolese Army conducted several anti-ADF operations in the region this past summer so it is conceivable that some ADF fighters have moved back into Uganda.

November 9, 2010: The government announced that its Amnesty Commission would continue to support programs for former LRA fighters who applied for and received amnesty.

November 8, 2010: Ugandan security officials issued a new warning about potential terrorist attacks conducted by Al Shabaab or its allies. The warning called for increased public vigilance. A police warning in the capital, Kampala, suggested that the public avoid shopping areas and markets that have not complied with access control guidelines. The police are also increasing security checks at public gatherings.

November 6, 2010: Al Shabaab, the Somalia militant Islamist group, once again threatened Uganda with new terrorist attacks. Al Shabaab is trying to force Uganda to withdraw its peacekeeping contingent from the African Union's AMISOM peacekeeping operation in Somalia. Al Shabaab took credit for the July 11, 2010 terror attacks in Kampala. A man identified as an Al Shabaab senior commander recently threatened revenge attacks for what he said were violent acts committed by Ugandan troops in Somalia. The Ugandan government continues to hold 34 people in prison for alleged involvement in the July terror attacks.

November 2, 2010: Several non-governmental aid organizations are reporting that assistance efforts in two northern Ugandan districts once plagued by the LRA are beginning to show results, albeit slowly. One project involves leasing farm land to displaced persons and in some cases disarmed and demobilized former LRA rebels. The two districts identified are the Katakwi and Pader districts. Land disputes between current occupiers and displaced persons who return to claim ownership continue to be a source of trouble. The peace deals worked out with LRA defectors all included promises of help in re-integrating into civilian life.

November 1, 2010: So far this year the LRA has conducted at least 22 known attacks in southern Sudan's West Equatoria state. The LRA attacks displaced 45,000 people. 13,000 of the displaced are now living in a camp in the town of Ezo.

www.stratpage.com

Kenguy

December 14th, 2010, 11:43 AM

I thought I should start this thread, given that the elections are a few months away. Post any news/discussion concerning the elections here.

lordangers5

December 14th, 2010, 11:47 PM

A few months away? I wouldnt even get this excited if it was my own elections or the US elections?!

BUTEMBO21

December 15th, 2010, 12:31 AM

I didn't know they also have elections.

This is not worth news.

We already knwo what will happen. Its a Yes or No things. or 98.8% win.

Kenguy

December 15th, 2010, 11:53 AM

I didn't know they also have elections.

This is not worth news.

We already knwo what will happen. Its a Yes or No things. or 98.8% win.

M7 will win alright, but not by 98.8% ala Rwanda. It might be by 50-60% (I pray its not 50%.)

kihihi

December 15th, 2010, 06:38 PM

http://www.africareview.com/image/view/-/1073210/highRes/222374/-/maxw/600/-/pjus65/-/railapix.jpg

Baganda

December 16th, 2010, 03:49 PM

http://www.africareview.com/image/view/-/1073210/highRes/222374/-/maxw/600/-/pjus65/-/railapix.jpg

now for what...Only rigging elections, did Museveni go to kenya or Tanzania in the last elections, that man Museveni....total tribalist

kihihi

December 17th, 2010, 06:19 AM

http://www.newvision.co.ug/NP/1292528241zulu.jpg

Yoniii

December 17th, 2010, 12:45 PM

Janub rigged the polls! :D

Kenguy

December 17th, 2010, 02:33 PM

^^
Just as I thought...around 60%. His ratings have been going down over the years.

lordangers5

December 17th, 2010, 02:45 PM

Lol only to appease the international audience. Making it look as if it wasnt rigged. Loseing votes yet not enough to loose the election

Kenguy

December 17th, 2010, 02:55 PM

Lol only to appease the international audience. Making it look as if it wasnt rigged. Loseing votes yet not enough to loose the election

Those were only opinion polls (though in East Africa, they usually turn out to be close to the final result.) In my opinion, Museveni has been losing popularity in some regions especially the central region where the majority Baganda reside.

I thought Mao would have a higher rating than Kizza Besigye. :nuts:

kihihi

December 17th, 2010, 04:42 PM

^^
Just as I thought...around 60%. His ratings have been going down over the years.

Although in June opinion polls by new vision gave Museveni 52% of the vote showing he has become popular more recently could have been the rap song plus the terorrist bombings as people feel safer with Museveni in power.

abesha

December 17th, 2010, 04:44 PM

Hold on, the rap song is for an election that's next year?
That's super early to start campaigning.

Yoniii

December 17th, 2010, 05:25 PM

Hold on, the rap song is for an election that's next year?
It's just his first single, he will probably have an album on Itunes by then. :lol:

kihihi

December 17th, 2010, 05:30 PM

Hold on, the rap song is for an election that's next year?
That's super early to start campaigning.

It is in february so really not that far, plus official campaigns have already started and most people in the rural areas are always asking him to sing the song at every rally.

They may be a lot of criticism about museveni but the reality is he knows how to connect with the rural people, most of the ugandans who post online and abuse him are the urban voters but in a country where 85% of the population is rural there vote and opinion is essentially irrelevant.

lordangers5

December 17th, 2010, 06:24 PM

Hold on, the rap song is for an election that's next year?
That's super early to start campaigning.
Well we all know how much Musevini (over 25 years in office) loves democracy and wants to do his best to win free and fair elections. In Uganda you dont win it by beating people, voter intimidation, bribary, corruption. Thats not the way to do it and he knows :lol:

abesha

December 17th, 2010, 06:36 PM

It's just his first single, he will probably have an album on Itunes by then. :lol:

LOL I think I read something along those lines actually :hahaha:

Janub

December 17th, 2010, 09:47 PM

The opposition are mostly thugs and bandits, they aren't to be taken seriously. Its sad that a real patriot can't run against Museveni. I hope everyone understands why there's a lack of competition in Ugandan politics; the opposition is basically as moderate or sane as Joseph Kony.

Kenguy

December 18th, 2010, 07:53 AM

xJamaax

December 18th, 2010, 11:39 AM

I think the opposition is just weak. They should support one candidate.

Ugandans seems not to be interested with much of the politics. How can you have someone who has ruled the country for all those years still being popular?

Baganda

December 18th, 2010, 01:38 PM

Ugandans seems not to be interested with much of the politics. How can you have someone who has ruled the country for all those years still being popular?

corruption and tribalism....thats his misison and vision

kihihi

December 30th, 2010, 10:37 AM

Security staff at the entrances of hotels in Uganda are being asked to thoroughly screen women's bras after recent threats by terrorists to use "bra bombs," The New Vision newspaper said Thursday, quoting police officials.

"We don't always allow men to check women's breasts but we have now got reports that terrorists have devised bra bombs," the paper quoted a police counter terrorism expert, Lodovick Awita, as telling a security briefing with hotel owners on Wednesday.

"We appeal to women security personnel to thoroughly check women's bras," Awita said.

The appeal comes amidst a nationwide security alert recently issued by the chief of police who warned that Somali terrorists linked to Al-Qaeda were planning attacks in Uganda during the Christmas season.

Last July 11, Somalia's Al-Shabaab militants claimed responsibility for the twin blasts that rocked the Ugandan capital Kampala while crowds of people were watching the World Cup finals, killing 76 and injuring scores of others.

The group said it was punishing Uganda for sending soldiers under the African Union peace-keeping mission to guard the weak transitional government in the battered Somali capital Mogadishu.

Amid continuous terrorist threats, Uganda has embarked on a rigorous security program. Officials are urging the proprietors of public places including hotels, bars, hospitals, bus and car terminals, markets and shopping malls to deploy security guards and install bomb-detection machines at the entrances.

Shaka-M-14

December 30th, 2010, 10:39 AM

Damn! I want their jobs! :banana::banana:

evany

December 30th, 2010, 10:47 AM

bra??? :wtf: :lol:

lordangers5

December 30th, 2010, 11:14 AM

"They don't always allow men to check women's bra's" lol. Wonder if they could tell us what other situations would warrant this luxury? Don't they have female officers?

SE9

December 30th, 2010, 01:26 PM

Western airports do the same thing... using full-body scanners.

Not sure how happy foreign tourists will be having their chest frisked by security guards every time they enter their hotel.

lordangers5

December 30th, 2010, 01:29 PM

Western airports do the same thing... using full-body scanners.

Not sure how happy foreign tourists will be having their chest frisked by security guards every time they enter their hotel.
Yeah but if it's a woman being frisked, a woman does it. Whilst in Uganda it seems a man will be doing it? "Let's see what do we have tucked in here" lol. As for the screening, don't really know/care who looks at that.

Sokotocaliphate

December 30th, 2010, 02:27 PM

Shaka-M-14

December 30th, 2010, 02:38 PM

Ewww.... can you imagine in the last moments of your life, a man's left nut is flying at your face? :puke:

The Nomadic Warrior

December 30th, 2010, 02:44 PM

Ewww.... can you imagine in the last moments of your life, a man's left nut is flying at your face? :puke:

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

mwanamwiwa

December 30th, 2010, 04:47 PM

:lol:

Enabulele

December 30th, 2010, 05:30 PM

What else? Let's grope them people! :naughty:

lordangers5

December 30th, 2010, 05:43 PM

Ewww.... can you imagine in the last moments of your life, a man's left nut is flying at your face? :puke:

Er no, cant say I ever thought of that till you mentioned it lol :lol:

jules3c

December 30th, 2010, 10:52 PM

From 'underwear bomber' to 'bra bomber'. Why are these things being sexualised? Stuffs like these give way to being frisked heavily (I don't care which gender does it) and being scanned greatly at the airport. I'm also worried about my health as there are some questions raised with some of these scanning.
And why are these novices picking arms?
This is just ridiculous, now we have modern day molestation.

Isn't that something? Never thaught I would hear that term. Just one questions. Why would the terrorist tell the Uganda government how they are going to commit their act? Is it not to scare the people in to living in fear without lifting a finger? In that case haven't they won the PR war?

Xusein

December 30th, 2010, 11:21 PM

:laugh:

fIV3DVxKBO8

Black-Monstro

December 31st, 2010, 05:47 AM

:laugh:

fIV3DVxKBO8

:lol:
"She's seventeen"

DennisRodman817

December 31st, 2010, 08:24 AM

what a waste of titties

kihihi

January 4th, 2011, 01:48 PM

DOZENS FEARED dead as an explosion goes off on a bus near the border between Uganda and South Sudan. The bus was headed to Juba in southern Sudan and was just crossing the border.

New information states that it was just a bus accident caused by a bus tyre and no deaths may have occurred. If that version is true it just shows how the media is praying and hoping for violence in Southern Sudan as they have sent a lot of reporters there and all want to have a story that will sell in the West of violence by Bashir and Islamists.

Zimbobeauty

January 4th, 2011, 01:56 PM

:ohno:

Lailax

January 4th, 2011, 02:00 PM

kihihi

January 4th, 2011, 02:21 PM

New reports state that it may have been an accident due to a burst Tyre will confirm when additional information comes in.

I.M Boring

January 4th, 2011, 04:39 PM

^^ should wait at least for a report before posting.

Simfan34

January 4th, 2011, 05:13 PM

kihihi

January 4th, 2011, 06:44 PM

^^ should wait at least for a report before posting.

it was a breaking news update on all kenyan news agencies like daily nation, standard and KTN so i automatically assumed it must be true.

Janub

January 4th, 2011, 08:02 PM

Its probably not best to follow Kenyan news, they often tend to be sensationalist. When two guys have a fist fight they'll report it as a massacre.

Baganda

January 13th, 2011, 11:23 AM

I just spent a couple of days in the village. And I feel I was fortunate to get away from the big city and visit the countryside in the heat of the presidential campaign for the February 2011 Uganda general election.

I have been reading the campaign manifestos of the various candidates, and asking myself which one of them best speaks to the big issues facing the country. I got my answer on an extended trek I made on foot through the various villages on Christmas Day.

The experience told me that most of the candidates’ traditional approach to politics no longer offers meaningful answers to the urgent problems the poor of the country face.

As a radical young man travelling through some of these villages many, many years ago, I remember two things. First, there were more homes. Secondly, the gardens were more diverse--people had bananas, beans, potatoes, and every compound had a few goats tethered at the edge of the garden. Also, they used to have a lot of (now long-disappeared) sheep.

You see the same emasculated countryside life in the Buganda region, chunks of western Uganda, and vast expanses of northern Uganda. The primary explanation for this desolateness is that most of these lands can no longer support large populations, because they are tired and not productive.

The main culprit is environmental abuse that has resulted in loss of tree cover, extensive soil erosion and, most punitively, the disappearance. Today, swathes of wetlands have been invaded by farmers desperate to improve their lives, by diversifying into things like rice farming. If you want to see a very extreme version of this invasion of the wetlands for rice farming go to parts of Busoga but, most dramatically, Pallisa District.

The result is that water is disappearing, so even in areas that were not affected by war and livestock theft as in the north-east and north of Uganda, it is becoming impossible to support cattle. And, worse, humans. So people are selling and moving off. That is how you now come to have growing expanses of abandoned barren land in places that were heavily settled just 25 years ago.

If you had to sum this up in a few words, it is that Uganda’s countryside is being killed by a crisis of water. I encountered one possible solution in a remote area where a new bridge is being built over a largely dried swamp.

To create the right elevation for the bridge to ensure it isn’t submerged in future floods, the engineers dug up a lot of the soil and mud that long ago clogged the river to ease the passage of water in future. The accidental result is that around the 5 metres stretch they dug up, there is now tap clear water, the type that villagers in the area have not seen, one elder told me, in over 40 years!

I think these efforts at reclaiming lost rivers and water sources can be done in this way village by village. But it requires that we revive our stressed small communities; establish cooperative life, one village at a time. It is a project that is probably too micro to be led by government policy from Kampala. But it is also an approach that requires a sophistication that local governments lack. It’s the awareness of innovative ways to rebuild the social and economic viability of small communities that I find almost totally absent in all candidates’ manifestos.

But there is something else. The one change I found is that in the remotest of villages where I went, everyone says, “corruption is our biggest problem”. This awareness of the pervasiveness of corruption is impressive.

I wondered though, how aware these good folks were aware of how that corruption affects their ability to survive as sovereign citizens beyond the reality that it results in the many non-functioning medical centres up-country, or the shambolic government schools. It is worse.

My sense is that the biggest (and fairly respectable) money laundering project in Uganda is land. As the small people flee their barren lands, the corrupt are buying them up in record amounts. The incentive for the peasants to sell is that many of them are being offered very good money for their land.

In many ways, the peasants and small producers are indirect beneficiaries of corruption, because it allows them to be paid above-market values for their abused lands. With this money, a lot of these peasants are moving to the Busoga region, and deeper into Mukono and buying new land.

They are likely going to kill their new land in a similar way in another 10 to 15 years, because micro environment is the trade-off that macro-corrupt national politicians make with peasants. So they are not solving a problem by moving and buying fertile land elsewhere. They are only exporting the problem of environmental destruction and water stress to Busoga, Buganda, and the Lango regions, and fast-tracking the wider national ecological crisis. Next week, we look at the small ways in which we might stop this environmental death race.

cobbo@ke.nationmedia.com

G.O.E.T.I.A

January 13th, 2011, 11:26 AM

:cheers:

Baganda

January 13th, 2011, 11:27 AM

I have not travelled from Kampala to Entebbe early morning to take the 10 a.m Kenya Airways flight to Nairobi. I am an owl, so I mostly travel at night.

Recently I took the flight on a Sunday morning. I left Kampala around 7 a.m. Being a Sunday, there were no crowds. Okay, Kampala is the “city of potholes” (there was even a pothole exhibition recently), but without crowded sidewalks and traffic jams, I had a clear view all around. It’s shocking just how potholed and filthy Kampala is.

My own sense is that it is not so much that Kampala is easily the dirtiest capital in East Africa; rather that it is already among the dirtiest towns in Uganda!

On the positive side, the potholes also helped to better explain why Uganda’s economy is not as competitive as it should be. Our attitude to potholes and street rubbish is part of a wider national process that is hostile to democratising public goods.
Part of this whole story and revelation can be in the crowded pothole-rich suburb of Ntinda. There is an imposing new store established by the Kenyan supermarket firm Tuskys. The Tuskys in Ntinda is among the most striking in both Kenya and Uganda. In Bukoto, there is a prominent Nakumatt store. Kenya’s largest supermarket chain also has a store in the Oasis Mall in central Kampala. Next door in the Garden City Mall is Kenyas second largest supermarket chain, Uchumi.
Kenya’s Equity Bank has spread its branches to towns up-country. And, of course, Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) is now one of the big players in Uganda. Most Ugandans drink Kenyan beer - because Uganda Breweries, depending on how you look at it, is owned by EABL. The most independent news that quite a few Ugandans read (Daily Monitor), and TV and radio news (NTV and KFM) are from platforms that are partly or wholly Kenyan.

So is the city’s most prestigious hotel, Serena. Soon, most of our cooking oil could be produced by a Kenyan firm in Uganda - BIDCO. And BIDCO is (if you exclude the Kakira Sugar plantations) is easily Ugandas largest commercial farmer. The largest single investment in Uganda ever, the Bujagali Power Dam, is partly Kenyan.

Again, to look on the positive side, despite the erosion that has happened in our rankings because of corruption and growing State incompetence in recent years, it tells you that Uganda remains one of the most open economies to foreign investment in Africa. There are modest symbols of Uganda business in Kenya - Uganda Air (which is actually not Ugandan-owned), Gateway Bus Service, and what else...?
There are many reasons for this disparity (find some answers in http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5ae0b616-f689-11df-b434-00144feab49a.html#axzz1Ag6Weoz7), but I will focus on one, which does not receive a lot of attention but is probably the most critical and which is most different than Uganda. It happened in January 2003, when President Mwai Kibaki took power after the coalition he led, the National Rainbow Coalition, became the first opposition to defeat a ruling party in the wider Eastern Africa.

Kenya has gone through many ups and downs, including the horrific violence that erupted in January 2008 following a disputed election in December 2007.

It continues to be plagued by corruption, although for the first time in many years, there is a real crackdown on it with four ministers stepping down in the last few months after they were accused of possible long-fingered conduct.

But the one thing that has changed dramatically, is that Kibaki has most decisively decoupled politics from business. You can be the most vigorous Kibaki critic, and you will continue to grow rich, without the government trying to ruin you as happens in Uganda. Related to this is that unlike in Uganda, businesses in Kenya no longer come under pressure to contribute to political campaigns.

Kibaki, who is reputed to be tight-fisted, gives no favours and doesn’t ask for them. He is on course to retire in 2012 without having given any investor a square foot of public land, or a penny of public money (Hassan Basajjabalaba wouldn’t thrive here).

One result of this is that Kenyan businesses, especially those with an East African posture, are not dragged down by local politics. Secondly, that separation has become widely accepted, and businesses can make long-term investments and strategise several years ahead without worrying that a regime change will affect the rules of the game.

Compare that to Uganda where even some foreign businesses would close if the NRM and Museveni ceased to be in power tomorrow, and all the high-flying rich folks in Kampala will disappear and be replaced by a new set from the tribe or political party of the new ruler. You cannot think big and have regional ambitions if you operate in this environment. You instead focus on maximising each day the President who grants the favours that allow your business to succeed, is in power.Another reason, requiring a lot more space, is just how much (and with minimal government involvement) Kenyan small businesses, and all sorts of suppliers have reorganised their operations to respond to the growing East African regional market. But to that, we shall return in future.

Another reason, requiring a lot more space, is just how much (and with minimal government involvement) Kenyan small businesses, and all sorts of suppliers have reorganised their operations to respond to the growing East African regional market. But to that, we shall return in fu

cobbo@ke.nationmedia.com

Baganda

January 13th, 2011, 11:29 AM

ITs editor who writes this...he is main editor and managing editor of East African and central African biggest paper in Nairobi, THE NATION MEDIA...A

Enabulele

January 13th, 2011, 12:40 PM

Why do you keep writing/posting like this Baganda? Each time I read your post, I'm going blind! :lol:

Nice articles though. :D

Kenguy

January 13th, 2011, 02:51 PM

Baganda, what's the point of this thread?

u.g boy

January 16th, 2011, 10:28 PM

Police arm heavily ahead of elections
SHARE BOOKMARKPRINTEMAILRATING
http://www.monitor.co.ug/image/view/-/1090990/highRes/229545/-/maxw/600/-/ych14ez/-/elections001px.jpg
FORE ARMED: A convoy of police trucks carrying heavy equipment snakes through Kireka, a Kampala suburb, yesterday. PHOTO BY ISAAC KASAMANI.

By Tabu Butagira (email the author)
Posted Monday, January 17 2011 at 00:00
Kampala

Are your planning to cause trouble during the upcoming elections or afterward? Then prepare for an aggressive confrontation with the police, who yesterday imported more than a dozen new tear-gas vehicles, water cannons and pepper sprayers for crowd control. The high-tech, anti-riot gear are among a consignment of 50-plus automobiles, including troop carriers and buses, supplied by a Chinese-based firm.

Show of might
They were shipped through Dar es Salaam, and according to one transporter, the fleet left the southern Mutukala border post with Tanzania at around 1am on Saturday night, arriving in Kampala between 2pm and 3pm.

Curious onlookers gathered by the roadsides, some discussing among themselves in hushed tones, as the convoy snaked through the afternoon traffic gridlock at Kireka, a city suburb.

The teargas trucks in blue and red hues, boldly marked Uganda Police, were ferried aboard Tanzanian-registered trailers that by 4pm had all been parked at Naguru Police Barracks, east of Kampala. Mr Godfrey Bangirana, the police director for logistics and engineering, declined to speak on details and cost of the consignment.

Daily Monitor visited Naguru Police Barracks and counted at least 16 teargas vehicles/water cannons alongside three buses, two fork lifters, more than a dozen lorries, three fire tenders and four water tankers.

Opposition concerns
The Shadow Internal Affairs Minister, Mr Hussein Kyanjo, said he suspects the police have imported the anti-riot gadgets to terrorise opposition supporters during the February 18 vote. He said: “Probably the police are preparing for what they are sure will happen most likely from the government side…they are ready for repression. The police are not acting out of the blue and the timing raises suspicion.”

But Ms Mary Karooro-Okurut, the spokesperson for the ruling NRM party, last night described MP Kyanjo’s allegations as “laughable hallucinations”. “How can he say the President will lose when all independent opinion polls have placed candidate Museveni in commanding lead?” she said.

Afrobarometer, a research organisation operating in some 20 African countries, reported last month that Mr Museveni would have won the upcoming election with 66 per cent had the voting taken place between November 18 and December 6, 2010.

Necessary tools
Earlier, Police Spokeswoman Judith Nabakooba told this newspaper that the anti-riot equipment were planned and budgeted for some time back and their arrival on an election eve is but just coincidental. “They are necessary for our work, especially public order management,” she said. “We are not anticipating it to happen [during voting], but if it comes, how are we going to handle?”

The police have in the past come under criticism for the manner in which they handle riots. In September 2009, the Force was accused of largely being behind the deaths of over 20 people killed during riots after the Kabaka was blocked from going to Kayunga.

Also, the current commission investigating the Kasubi fire has heard that the military police opened fire on people mourning the torching of the tombs, killing three instantly. Mr Kyanjo adduced photos to the commission to back this claim.

Zimbobeauty

January 16th, 2011, 10:32 PM

bh2010

January 17th, 2011, 05:59 AM

I think the opposition is just weak. They should support one candidate.

From those polls, even if otunnu, mao, and basigye were to combine forces they would still lose to m7:ohno:

Simfan34

January 17th, 2011, 06:01 AM

^^Does the system provide for a runoff?

Got to give him credit for the hat. I love hats. Proper hats.

http://patdollard.com/wp-content/uploads/sexy-flag.jpg
Needed to post this somewhere.

musiccity

January 26th, 2011, 05:44 PM

Ugandans, whats the inside scoop on this, it might just be the media trumping things up...

http://www.cnn.org/2011/US/01/26/us.uganda.travel.warning/index.html

u.g boy

January 26th, 2011, 06:41 PM

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Kenguy

January 27th, 2011, 04:14 PM

[SIZE="2"]Police arm heavily ahead of elections

^^
In all my years in Uganda, I have never seen such a heavy police presence in the streets like there is now.

bh2010

January 30th, 2011, 06:41 AM

[SIZE="2"]Police arm heavily ahead of elections

Opposition concerns
The Shadow Internal Affairs Minister, Mr Hussein Kyanjo, said he suspects the police have imported the anti-riot gadgets to terrorise opposition supporters during the February 18 vote. He said: “Probably the police are preparing for what they are sure will happen most likely from the government side…they are ready for repression. The police are not acting out of the blue and the timing raises suspicion.”

M7 better not do something stupid unless he wants to be BenAlli-ed :lol:

Kenguy

January 30th, 2011, 07:31 AM

M7 better not do something stupid unless he wants to be BenAlli-ed :lol:

I highly doubt that will happen. In Tunisia, the protests were widespread. In Uganda, some areas support him while others don't. Though it seems he's preparing for the worst.

sseki2010

January 31st, 2011, 05:29 PM

I highly doubt that will happen. In Tunisia, the protests were widespread. In Uganda, some areas support him while others don't. Though it seems he's preparing for the worst.

kenguy did u read Tunisiaz history, it showed how people love Ben ali and why did that happen, Uganda is even worse because if it happens it may lead to a severe genocide...why because tribalism and nepotism is at its highest in the whole Africa....that has bread wide spread corruption..why is it like dat....Kenguy ma friend am a muganda a ugandan who talks with people...only westerner from museveniz tribe love him only because he has ammazed them big wealth but central, north and East dont expect anything...

Kenguy

February 1st, 2011, 09:51 AM

kenguy did u read Tunisiaz history, it showed how people love Ben ali and why did that happen, Uganda is even worse because if it happens it may lead to a severe genocide...why because tribalism and nepotism is at its highest in the whole Africa....that has bread wide spread corruption..why is it like dat....Kenguy ma friend am a muganda a ugandan who talks with people...only westerner from museveniz tribe love him only because he has ammazed them big wealth but central, north and East dont expect anything...

That's precisely my point. For Ugandans to do what Tunisians did, they have to have ALL Ugandans behind the cause. As it is now, some tribes support M7 others don't. We would see a situation where people in Kampala are rioting while Mbarara is perfectly normal (more like what happened in the recent Buganda riots). If rioting does occur in Kampala, M7 will simply pour the army onto the street. The heavy police presence on the street is already a show of might before the elections to intimidate those who may be having ideas.

Uganda is just not united enough to have Tunisia style riots.

kihihi

February 1st, 2011, 10:02 AM

fortportal

February 1st, 2011, 10:23 AM

kihihi

February 1st, 2011, 12:57 PM

I think Kihihi is right, Museveni will win the elections.
If that is good or not? I don't have any idea as I don't live in Uganda.
The only thing I can say is that I did feel save and free when I visit Uganda.
You can also drive around the country without been stopped by the police all the time, and believe me thats not the case in a lot of African countries.
On that point you people are free to go where you want without being controled all the time.
But of coarse thats not the most important thing for people who live there.
On the other side, I've seen that there is a lot of food in Uganda so I don't think there are a lot of people who have no food.
But maybe I'm wrong at that point as I only visited the Western part of the country.
The roads in the big cities should be better, what I saw in Kampala was crazy for a capital city.
Very nice buildings and luxuary hotels but podholes everywhere.
But luxuary things are not important, helping the poor and making an end to corruption is the most important thing.
And on that point I don't know who is the best Museveni or Besigye.
Anyhow, no president should stay longer than 2 terms in power.

You are right, if you look at what sparked the protests in north africa the most important reason given was high food prices.
In uganda where people who lack food can just grow their own food instead of depending on the government to control food prices the need to blame the government for their problems is diminished. It is only urban voters in uganda affected by high food prices but unfortunately they are the minority.

The rest of the rural parts of the country are not going to support political instability just because urban people are starving they will most likely tell them to come back to the villages.

fortportal

February 1st, 2011, 02:37 PM

You are right Kihihi, Uganda is a green country and everybody can cultivate his own vegetables and raise some chicken or goats. So lack food can not be a problem.
But whatever, there are certainly things that can be better, electricity for example.
When I was there (Fort Portal and Kampala most of the time) we had daily electricity cuttings.

Kenguy

February 1st, 2011, 04:02 PM

Uganda is a majority rural country unlike tunisia which is urban. Demonstrations in the streets will not represent what majority of ugandans want but only what urban voters want.
Museveni has a lot of support in rural areas so the issues urban voters have with museveni may not be the same as rural voters. While rural voters have problems with him to an extent they still believe he can solve their problems.

Alot of people making noise about museveni are urban voters who am sorry to say are irrelevant in deciding who wins the elections as the person who takes the rural vote wins.

I think M7's popularity also varies in the rural areas. I seriously doubt the rural Baganda will turn out to vote for NRM this time round as they did in the past. That is unless M7 gets support from Mengo (I still get the feeling there is some cold blood between them and M7). Only time will tell.

u.g boy

February 1st, 2011, 05:42 PM

jinja west is not jinja municipality . its just one of the parts of it.
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Kenguy

February 6th, 2011, 08:40 AM

Museveni will rig, opposition tell US officials.

Sunday Monitor,
Sunday,
February 6, 2011

By John Njoroge.

Three opposition presidential candidates on Friday told two US secretaries that they strongly believe that the February 18 general elections will not be held in a free and fair atmosphere. The short but intense meeting was held at the US embassy between the US Deputy Secretary James Steinberg, Ass. Secretary Johnnie Carson, Dr Kizza Besigye of Inter-Party CooperationPC, Mr Olara Otunnu of Uganda Peoples Congress and Democratic Party’s Norbert Mao among other officials.

The meeting was primarily to brief Mr Steinberg and his team on what the opposition has seen as challenges in the coming elections.
The three leaders openly expressed disappointment over, among other things, what they called an organised rigging machinery that has been set in motion.

The secretaries, who later met President Museveni, had wanted to have an overview of the situation from the opposition’s point of view. This later formed the basis of their engagement with President Museveni. Dr Besigye later held a press conference in Kampala where he delivered a bold message to the army prior to the Tarehe Sita celebrations set for today.

During the meeting with the U.S. official the three expressed concern over the continued bias shown by electoral officials. They are also concerned over the fact that millions will be allowed to vote without voters’ cards. Mr Steinberg and Mr Carson were told that militia groups were being trained secretly at all levels around the country. Their purpose during these elections will be to antagonise the opposition and engineer the rigging of the elections.

This is not the first time US officials are meeting the opposition over elections. A similar engagement happened the last time Mr Carson was in Uganda. According to a source, however, this particular meeting was difficult to put together because one of the opposition candidates had initially refused to be part of the meeting. The source said it took great persuasion for this candidate to agree to be part of the Friday meeting.

The US mission in Kampala kept the arrival of the two US secretaries a secret. The Public Affairs Officer at the US embassy, Ms Joann Lockard, on Thursday declined to comment on their visit. “I can only say that a very high profile visitor will be coming into the country soon,” Ms Lockard said.

In his message, Dr Besigye asked the army not to dishonour the memory of 300,000 people who died in the liberation war that brought the NRA into power. “Thirty years today, the ideals which huge risks were taken, have been forgotten by the NRM government. Uganda is still be-deviled with the same ills that sparked the actions of Tarehe Sita,” Dr Besigye said.Soldiers welfare is almost non-existent and promotions are made without proper guidelines. This is why many soldiers are demoralised,” he said. “Retired generals and politicians are using the UPDF as an outfit for business to enrich themselves at the expense of junior officers and this nation.”

Fear of Upraising
Dr Besigye added that the situation in Uganda was ripe for anything. “Anything can happen in Uganda now. It could be the same situation that took the NRA to the bush or a popular uprising. Trying to stop me from saying it will not solve this problem.” “Dictators cannot be removed by free and fair elections,” Dr Besigye added.

He declared that if the February 18 elections were rigged, they would be the last elections of the kind Uganda will ever see. “The struggle for change is not mine alone. I will not go to the court of law if these elections are rigged. It is useless. I will seek the court of public opinion,” Dr Besigye said.

He said Uganda has never had free and fair elections and that he will move with the will of the people. “I will support a popular protest against an illegitimate decision of the election.” He added that the Inspector General of Police, Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura, has never had a day’s training as a police officer “He is just like a militia man. I wish the police well in their preparations. I do not not think Kayihura has tools that could prevent a protest like the ones in Tunisia and Egypt.”

Relations between Washington and Kampala have been smooth in the recent past. Uganda is a key strategic partner to the US in its role in maintaining regional stability. This relationship suffered a slight setback in 2009 when the US Congress, as part of its foreign appropriations Act, issued a directive to US Secretary of State Clinton to monitor Uganda in its preparation for the 2011 general election, the voting process and the eventual outcome.

Government criticised
In her first report, Ms Clinton heavily criticised the government on its handling of the opposition, the heavy handedness on the media and the continued restriction on journalists, Uganda’s deteriorating human rights record and the restrictions in freedom of expression among other key issues.

It was also highly critical of the independence and the composition of the Electoral Commission of Uganda and the method its commissioners are selected, an issue that has concerned the opposition time and again. Reacting to the report, the government dismissed it saying it was biased, had not been made in good taste, and was not representative of the views of the majority in Uganda. In her response to the Clinton report the NRM party spokesperson Mary Karooro Okurut said the report lack legitimacy.

The second and third reports were expected in August 2010 and January 2011 respectively. “The next report has not been submitted yet,” Ms Lockard told Sunday Monitor on Thursday. “It is due later this month.” She added that a final report will be released 30 days after the elections.

Some members of the opposition are worried that the US was softening its stand on government and may have abandoned its initial efforts to monitor the country’s track record.

“Support for democracy in Uganda remains a top priority for the United States in our bilateral relationship,” Ms Lockard insisted. “We urge Uganda to ensure that the Feb. 18 elections are free, fair, and peaceful.”

Kenguy

February 7th, 2011, 12:42 PM

Museveni promises violence free polls

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5139/5424299751_9db9258208.jpg

New Vision,
Sunday, 6th February, 2011

By Milton Olupot

PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has assured Ugandans that there will be no violence during the general elections which begin on February 18.

“I hear some characters talking about violence during elections. There will be no violence. Whoever attempts will do so at his or her own risk,” Museveni said at the Soroti Sports Ground yesterday.

Museveni was speaking at celebrations to mark 30 years since the UPDF was formed, called Tarehe Sita, (February 6), the day when the first bullet was shot. The day signifies the beginning of the rebellion that brought the NRM government into power in 1986.

Museveni said the army had managed to restore peace and security in the country and that capacity had been built to ensure that the country does not revert back to chaos that characterised the 1970s and early 1980s.

“The peace now in the country is irreversible. We have been able to build a disciplined force that won the war largely by itself and has been able to keep peace and security since,” the President said.

During the celebrations, 621 people were recognised with medals.

The Kagera medal was awarded to 17 people, the Nalubaale award was given to 16 people, 37 people were awarded the Damu (Blood) medal, while 151 received the Luwero Triangle medal.

The colourful ceremony was attended by thousands of people including top army commanders from Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Southern Sudan, Ethiopia and Djibouti.

Museveni said the UPDF had faced both internal and regional challenges, giving examples of conflicts the army has been able to overcome such as that in Rwanda, Congo, and Sudan, many of which he said, were supported by external elements,

“We have been able to defeat all these, including Karimojong raiders who used to torment you. There is total peace in the country,” he told the cheering crowd.

The President said since there are no more guns in Karamoja, it is now possible to restock Teso and other regions which have suffered the raids, adding that there was need to start working with Kenya to solve the problem of the Pokot who still carry out raids along the Uganda – Kenya border.

Museveni expressed sympathy to the people of Teso over the floods and severe drought that have ravaged the region several times.

He promised to introduce a system of water collection, including the water that flows down Mt. Elgon, for irrigation in Teso.

Museveni said the Government priority had been roads, education, health and reviving the economy. The President said the UPDF engineering brigade was due to embark on reconstructing the railway line from Tororo to Pakwach.

Museveni said with the prevailing peace, the Government was moving on to deal with indiscipline among the political class.

The defence state minister, Jeje Odongo, said the Government would continue steering the UPDF to fulfill its constitutional mandate and ideals that it set out to achieve.

The chief of defence forces, Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, said pacifying the country was not a smooth ride.

“We have defeated a number of backward forces. I would like to assure the nation that we are determined to consolidate our gains and ensure total peace in the country,” he said, adding that the army will respond if called upon by the Police in case of poll violence.

sseki2010

February 8th, 2011, 08:51 AM

thaanx for da update

Kenguy

February 9th, 2011, 08:42 AM

thaanx for da update

You are welcome.

Here's the latest poll.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5299/5430488576_8a794b1d9b.jpg

fortportal

February 9th, 2011, 10:15 AM

Those polls make me laugh. I can not believe Besigye will only have 15% of the votes.

u.g boy

February 9th, 2011, 06:34 PM

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u.g boy

February 9th, 2011, 10:06 PM

EU applauds electoral process
Wednesday, 9th February, 2011
E-mail article Print article
By Sylvia Nankya

THE European Union election observation mission for the forthcoming general elections in Uganda has commended the electoral process for being peaceful and calm.

The mission’s chief observer, Edward Scicluna, yesterday told journalists in Kampala that compared to previous elections and recent developments in countries across Africa, Uganda had to be lauded for running a process that was free of intimidation and violence.

“We have found that the campaign has been relatively peaceful and calm so far. It is our hope that this remains the case for the rest of the campaign period, on election day, and most importantly, after the results are announced,” Scicluna said.

The mission also recommended that the Electoral Commission follows international practices by posting on its website the election results, broken down according to each polling station.

“This will lead to greater transparency of the election process and more voter confidence and trust in the eventual outcome,” he added.

Scicluna said since his arrival in Uganda three days ago, he had held discussions with a number of Electoral Commission officials, representatives of political parties and civil society organisations.

Some of the key concerns raised include the long standing argument of allowing persons without voter cards to vote as long as they registered, freedom of expression, unfair media coverage and the right to announce poll results.

He shielded the Electoral Commission on grounds that the law in Uganda did not require voters to have the cards to vote.

“We assess the progress against the domestic laws of a country. Our concern is whether this affects the result. However, its important that all registered voters are identified to avoid fraud or double voting,” he observed.

He advised that the process should be handled by all stakeholders to ensure transparency and called for freedom of expression among all candidates and political parties before, during and after elections.

Scicluna said although each political party is free to make projections, it must be clear that there can only be one official result.

u.g boy

February 10th, 2011, 09:57 PM

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u.g boy

February 11th, 2011, 11:03 PM

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Gulu Municipality is now one of the busiest commercial and administrative towns in Northern Uganda with residents looking forward to a city status. In election battle ground tonight, Isabel Nakirya talks to the people about the upcoming constituency elections, their expectations and challenges, as well as what they think about their parliamentary aspirants

u.g boy

February 11th, 2011, 11:19 PM

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u.g boy

February 12th, 2011, 10:39 PM

‘Mayors’ square off at Monitor debate
SHARE BOOKMARKPRINTEMAILRATING
http://www.monitor.co.ug/image/view/-/1106290/highRes/236603/-/maxw/600/-/f8qg50/-/elections001px.jpg
L-R: Captain Babu, Lukwago, Tumusiime, Katebalirwe, Sematimba and Mabikke. PHOTOS BY YUSUF MUZIRANSA

By Walter Wafula & John Njoroge (email the author)
Posted Sunday, February 13 2011 at 00:00
Kampala

It was a dramatic, pompous and heated day on Friday as six Kampala City mayoral candidates squared off in a mayoral debate, the first of its kind ever. The debate saw the candidates try to outwit each other on how each could transform Kampala into a city of international stature.

On the spotlight were academic qualifications of two of the candidates for public scrutiny. The management style of Kampala city, its current “corrupt” leaders, its disorganised structures, its dis-functional administrative units and its filth was dissected by both the candidates and the public.

Organised by the Monitor Publications Limited and Nation Television (NTV), the debate gave the public a chance to engage the candidates. It was also an opportunity for the candidates to showcase their manifestos and capabilities.
Bitter rivals Michael Mabikke of Social Democratic Party and Kampala Central MP Erias Lukwago squared off on their intellectual competences, abilities and character.

Presenting his academic credentials to an audience of about 500 people, Mr Mabikke said, Kampala needs a mayor whose academic qualifications will not be questionable at anytime. “I have impeccable academic and intellectual credentials. The people of Kampala will not be in an out of court petitioning against my academic credentials,” Mr Mabikke said, drawing a thunderous applause from the crowd. A recent petition saw Mr Lukwago’s papers re-examined by the Electoral Commission and Uganda National Examination Boards. Filed against Mr Lukwago, the petition sought to prove that he did not have the required academic qualifications.

Battle of papers
And in another explosive moment, Mr Lukwago scoffed at Mr Peter Sematimba’s (NRM) top deck academic credentials which he ‘purportedly’ misread, according to Mr Sematimba and “recklessly” handed over to his rival to read.
Mr Lukwago said his rival claims to have attained a Christian Degree in Diploma in Theology. In reference to the academic papers, Mr Sematimba submitted to the Electoral Commission, Mr Erias asked; “Is it possible to have a degree in a diploma and a diploma in a degree?”

In his defense, Mr Sematimba said his rival had misunderstood the certificate. “The paper reads Advanced Christian Diploma in Theology and I have another degree in Electronics and Computer Technology.” I have told you that we need a mayor who can read and interpret things properly,” Mr Sematimba said amidst cheers from his rowdy supporters in Serena Hotel’s Victoria Hall. Those in attendance put the candidates to task to explain how they planned to address traffic congestion, the pathetic road network, poor sanitation and health facilities and above all the corruption and poor management of Kampala City Council.

On decongesting the city, Mr Sematimba said he would deal with the potholes on the roads, widen the roads, and construct ring roads and flyovers linking various parts of the city. “We need to build satellite service points so that people do not come to do everything in Kampala,” he said. But above all, he said, Kampala needs a major clean and shake up exercise to make things work. “We need to clean up the leadership and systems of leadership and raise them to the 21st century. In terms of infrastructure, we need to clean up the roads and the sewer systems,” he said.

Captain Edward Francis Babu said transforming Kampala was not difficult. The challenge was to get the financial resources that are needed to turn around the city. He said Kampala generates between Shs20b and Shs30b while Shs75b comes from the central government. “We need real finances. Shs60 billion is enough for maintenance (of roads),” he said, adding that the government needed to plough back most of the taxes it collects from the city to fund its operations.

Mr Lukwago said Kampala has good development plans, including the Kampala Infrastructure and Institutional Development Plan, which can transform it, but the major challenge was implementing them. “Why are these plans not implemented, it’s because of thuggery (sic) of the funds. My commitment is to fight corruption and my record is quite impeccable, it speaks for itself.”

Another candidate, Mr Emmanuel Tumusiime, said for Kampala to achieve its plans, it needs new and transparent leaders. “I will not be part of corruption in the city. If you change, change for something new. Those leaders who have been there have failed,” he said.

The only female candidate, Ms Sandra Katebalirwe Ngabo, focused her debate on the need to change the management model of Kampala to make it a modern city and to give the city a motherly touch. “Kampala needs to be run and managed as a business entity not a political city as usual. Why? Politics has wasted away our city.” “The reason we are having all these problems are because Kampala has been managed as a political city.” She added. “I am the only contestant among these men who can bring Kampala to another level.”

u.g boy

February 13th, 2011, 10:09 PM

Museveni assures Uganda on security
Sunday, 13th February, 2011
E-mail article Print article
http://www.newvision.co.ug/NP/1297625961zulu.jpg
Vision Group CEO Robert Kabushenga shows Museveni around the new press yesterday
By Francis Kagolo
and Cyprian Musoke

PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has assured all Ugandans that there will be no violence before or after the elections, adding that the state is ready to protect everybody and their property as they go out to vote.

While appearing on a talk-show on Bukedde TV and radio yesterday, the President stressed that the Police and the army were alert and competent to deal with whoever tries to cause violence.

“Some people have been urging you (the public) to buy and store enough food in preparations for violence ahead of the elections. But I want to assure you that there will be no violence because the ‘drug’ we shall administer to those who will try to cause chaos shall be enough to calm them down,” the President asserted.

During the talk-show called Akabbinkano (the tough race) and hosted by Terah Kaaya, Museveni added: “Elections will end peacefully; no person can break the law and go scot-free. We shall arrest and prosecute whoever perpetuates violence.”

He explained that the Constitution allowed the army to assist the Police in case too much violence erupted and that this will be the case if the situation gets worse during or after the elections.

Constitution allowed the army to assist the Police in case there is too much violence.

Museveni warned the different youth brigades, which were formed by political parties allegedly to guard their votes, not to tamper with the electoral process.

He said only the candidates’ agents, the Police and Electoral Commission (EC) officials would be allowed to conduct the elections and guard the votes.

Earlier in the day, the President had given similar assurances during the national peace rally and prayers for the general elections organised by the Inter-religious Council of Uganda at Kololo ceremonial grounds.

At the rally, Museveni said through organising free and fair elections, the NRM government had removed any need to resort to violence.

“Peace is built on justice. Justice means fair play. When the NRM came to power, we organised the Constituent Assembly elections of 1993 so that a Constitution agreeable to everybody could be designed,” he said.

This, he added, was different from earlier constitutions that were discussed by un-elected chiefs.
“With this Constitution, we are sure that violence will not return in the politics of Uganda because it discusses everything and can be amended,” the President said.

Amendments, he added, can be through Parliament, district councils or referenda. “There are no grounds for violence,” he said.

Earlier, the representative of the Democratic Party, Suubi Njogi, warned that if the EC does not conduct free and fair elections, there will be violence.

“The Constitution says if the elections are not free and fair, you resort to the courts because if you resort to violence, you might not get good results,” the President warned.

In the past, he added, the National Resistance Army used “disciplined violence” to restore order because there were no other avenues for discussion, yet the law had a lot of loopholes.

Museveni said many youth were not aware of Uganda’s turbulent and violent past. “The 1962 electoral law had a lot of loopholes like several ballot boxes. Each party had its own so there were multiple ballot papers, which were hidden in a polling booth and one could not see what was being done. After voting they would be transported to one collection centre during which a lot of bad things would happen,” he said.

All of these, he added, were resolved by the Constituent Assembly.
The only problem now, the President added, was multiple registration that was being sorted out through computerisation.

“This time, there should be no need for violence. If there is a problem with the results, go to court. Recently, there was an argument about people who had crossed from one party to another and somebody went to court contesting this.

“The Constitutional Court said they should quit and not stand again, but when they appealed, the Supreme Court said they can stand again pending a substantive ruling.”

The NRM, Museveni added, was ready to meet with other political parties under the inter-party dialogue to exchange ideas and learn from each other.

The President said he was happy to see the inter-religious council working together, adding that in the past, religions were hostile to each other.

“I am yet to hear that God has instructed them to fight on his behalf. When we took over power, we were able to build a strong foundation for Uganda by fighting religious wars,” he said.

One time, Museveni added, Muslims rioted in Kawempe because somebody had eaten pork.
“I wrote to the internal affaris minister, Eriya Kategaya, asking him to tell them that I am the number one promoter of piggery yet I have never eaten pork, fish or chicken,” he said.

The Inspector General of Police, Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura, thanked the people for rejecting negative mobilisation that was done by some opposition parties against the electoral process.

He warned parties against encouraging their vigilante groups to cause violence.

“As we go to the polls, I assure you that the Police is ready to work with the Electoral Commission to ensure a free and fair elections,” said Kayihura.

The EC chairman, Eng. Badru Kiggundu, also pledged to conduct free and fair elections and prayed for peace before and after the polls.
“I promise that we shall declare the results to you 48 hours after the elections,” he said.

Uganda Human Rights Commission chief Meddie Kaggwa asked the candidates not to use hate speech which incites violence.

The Inter-Party Coalition representative, Sam Njuba, said FDC had never resorted to violence after elections.

The chairman of the inter-religious council, metropolitan Jonah Lwanga, said the prayers were a sign of commitment to peace and that the council attaches great importance to the coming elections.

Also present was the Church of Uganda Archbishop, Henry Luke Orombi, Seventh Day Adventist head pastor, John Kakembo, representatives of Mufti Shaban Mubajje, and that of Kampala Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga.

wotwot

February 13th, 2011, 10:16 PM

i hope the NRM stays in power however i would like them to implement federalism. other parties do not offer anything special.

u.g boy

February 14th, 2011, 10:53 PM

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Kenguy

February 15th, 2011, 08:17 AM

i hope the NRM stays in power however i would like them to implement federalism. other parties do not offer anything special.

NRM's interest is in maintaining the status quo...least of all embracing federalism (federo).

I wonder what you guys think about the recent cultural leaders/kings bill in relation to this.

u.g boy

February 15th, 2011, 10:21 PM

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sseki2010

February 17th, 2011, 05:19 PM

Those polls make me laugh. I can not believe Besigye will only have 15% of the votes.

u know Fortportal, all these things happenin in his regime, the most corrupt nation in East and central Africa perhaps sub saharan Africa yet his corruption only benefiting bahima or ankole men but why do we other Ugandans continue to suffer yet those hima guys r very lazy.....why surely.....i ask ma self...museveni paid Afrobarometer to put up those fake polls so that when he rigs and wins donors acredit him.....that guy mwana is a geek

sseki2010

February 17th, 2011, 05:25 PM

Museveni's political game

http://www.africareview.com/image/view/-/1109286/highRes/237357/-/maxw/600/-/6iipl1/-/Musevenipix.jpg

If President Museveni wins tomorrow’s election he will not just etch his name in the longevity books but will also have completed the second most tactical shift in strategy since he dropped his communist-Marxist ideology for capitalist-free markets theory.

What we have witnessed in this election is the transformation of Museveni from the soldier who bullies and batters his opponents to the politician who buys out and outsmarts his rivals.

So in many ways we have made progress from the 2001 and 2006 elections where violence and intimidation were the key tools used to mobilise fear and support. But then we have also gone back to the days of the Obote II government where political opportunism thrived.

President Museveni came into this election at his weakest, with runaway corruption endemic in his inner circle, a culture of impunity that has allowed services to fall apart, and a general incompetence in government that has led many citizens to simply seek to survive in spite of government, rather than thrive because of it.

President Museveni has spent most of his campaign time hiding from the failures of his government in a masterly political game of “pass-the-buck”. Is it bad roads? Blame the weather or the donors who impose impossible conditions on the money they give or lend to us to build them.

Is it poor education under the UPE and USE systems? Blame the absentee teachers (many of who are too busy running side businesses because they are poorly paid). Is it lack of medicines in government hospitals? Blame it on the doctors who steal the drugs and sell them in their private clinics to make a living.

Cock-and-bull

During a rally in Masaka, Museveni reduced the failures of the NAADS farmer extension programme into the responsibility of the programme coordinator in the district. There was no mention of the agriculture minister perhaps because that could then raise the question of who appoints them and what that says about their own leadership and management skills.

The Old Man has pulled another rabbit from the hat by turning himself into a victim. Many voters, especially in the villages, believe ‘Mzee’ means well and wants the best for them but is constantly let down by technocrats and bureaucrats. That strategy has been supplemented by a massive spending spree, which we do not have to revisit here.

However, that is a one-shot strategy. If Museveni is re-elected tomorrow and intends to run again in 2016, he cannot expect to return to voters in 2015 and hope that he will sell them the same cock-and-bull story of being let down by his people.

It means that Museveni, if he is re-elected, will have to run an efficient and effective government in which politicians, including the President, take individual responsibility for government actions rather than hide behind the cover of collective responsibility or pass the buck to technocrats.

Unfortunately, that is something the President has failed to do in his 25 years in power and one that he is unlikely to do in the fading days of his political career.
Corrupt governments are incapable of being efficient in their allocation of resources, or being transparent and accountable in their actions because they thrive on dysfunction.

Since it will be harder to beat up opponents or give excuses in future elections, it just might be that the next president will be one who pays the highest bribe per vote. In which case we have not seen the last of the National Resistance Movement.

dkalinaki@ug.nationmedia.com

http://www.africareview.com/Opinion/-/979188/1109280/-/13eexs9/-/index.html

sseki2010

February 17th, 2011, 05:29 PM

NRM's interest is in maintaining the status quo...least of all embracing federalism (federo).

I wonder what you guys think about the recent cultural leaders/kings bill in relation to this.

our reactions towards da kings bill isnt gud at all...we want it out of the parliament, Uganda has da wickedest parliament ever seen

u.g boy

February 17th, 2011, 05:51 PM

Anti-riot Police ready to quell poll violence
Wednesday, 16th February, 2011
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Anti-riot Police personnel at Old Kampala demonstrating readiness to battle any hooligans during the election day

Kenguy

February 17th, 2011, 09:19 PM

Uganda has da wickedest parliament ever seen
I think the parliament next door is worse. Voting day is here. I hope Ugandans vote wisely.

u.g boy

February 17th, 2011, 10:21 PM

EC warns candidates on results
Thursday, 17th February, 2011
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By Josephine Maseruka
and Hebert Ssempogo

CANDIDATES, political parties and media houses have been barred from announcing election results that have not been verified and declared by the Electoral Commission.

Eng. Badru Kiggundu, the Commission chairman, yesterday addressed a press briefing in Kampala on the eve of the elections.

He said, “The representatives of media organizations, candidates and political parties will access verified results from district tallying centers and at the national tally center at the Namboole Stadium.”

Kiggundu was flanked by the Inspector General of Police, Kale Kayihura, and other commissioners.

He said the authority to declare election results is vested with the EC. “Any attempt by individuals and organizations to assume such powers shall be a violation of the Constitution, which is not acceptable,” he added.

Presidential results will be announced first at all the 23,968 polling stations in the country, followed by results for directly elected members of parliament. Those for district woman MPs will come out last.

Results from polling centers will be taken to the sub-county headquarters and no announcing or tallying will be held at this level.

The results will then be taken to district tallying centers, where the district returning officer will declare the results of directly elected MPs and those of woman MPs.

The district returning officer will read the presidential results from each polling station in that district before transmitting them to the national tally center at Namboole.

Kiggundu said that if all things go as planned, presidential results will be declared within 48 hours after the elections.

He said they will not postpone elections in any part of the country as all polling materials had arrived by Thursday at all the 112 district centres.

Those eligible to vote will include registered voters whose particulars are in the register with or without a photograph or a voter’s card. Also those registered with a voter’s card but without a photo will be allowed to vote.
The EC said only accredited journalists are allowed to use cameras at polling stations.

“The commission will not accept any activity that may inconvenience, distract or delay or obstruct the polling process. Candidates and their agents are urged to respect the voters’ privacy.”

Kiggundu emphasized that only the national voters’ register — and not any register — will be the basis of voting.

Voting, which starts at 7:00am today, will end at 5:00pm. People who finish casting their vote are advised to stay at least 20 meters away from the polling station and not to cause any disturbance.

Pastors pray for Sematimba to win mayoral election
Thursday, 17th February, 2011
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By Brian Mayanja

A cross-section of city pastors convened under the Pentecostal churches on Tuesday prayed for NRM mayoral candidate Peter Sematimba to win the race.

During prayers at Rubaga Miracle Centre on Tuesday, pastors laid their hands on Sematimba, asking God to help him win the contest.

The NRM candidate is standing against Michal Mabikke (SDP), Kampala Central MP Erias Lukwago, Francis Babu, Emmanuel Tumusiime of the Forum for Integrity and Sandra Ngabo.

Speaking to the congregation after prayers, David Kiganda, the chairman of Born-again churches in Kampala, criticized Christians for shunning politics, saying that it is evil.

“We always say God created this world and told us to look after his creatures, including human beings.

"This is governance. Why do we not implement what God told us by contesting for various political positions in this country? You should participate in politics to put this world in order,” he said.

Big shots fight to retain Parliament seats
Thursday, 17th February, 2011
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By HENRY MUKASA

AS the country goes to polls today, 1,683 aspirants tussle in various parts of the country to grab one of the estimated 378 seats that will constitute the ninth Parliament.

The next August House will have over 50 more MPs than the expiring eighth Parliament whose members stood at 327 MPs.

While contestants will bate their breath in anticipation of victory, NRM’s Joy Kariisa Arinaitwe (Buhweju), Aleper Margaret Achilla (Kotido) and Flavia Rwabuhoro Kabahenda (Kyegegwa) would be waiting for swearing in as they are unopposed.

They were joined on Tuesday by five workers’ and five (People PWDs MPs who were successfully elected. Other aspirants await Ugandans to decide their fate in the elections today.

Hot spots
No election is devoid of flash points. This, of course is brewed up by; how much is at stake in a given constituency, the powers at play, the involvement of king makers and the personalities.

Sembabule
They might not be standing against each other but the cold war between Mawogola MP, Sam Kahamba Kutesa and Lwemiyaga MP, Theodore Ssekikubo elevates the two constituencies in Ssembabule district to a hot spot.

The camps of both NRM politicians have clashed since the party primaries and the Police has deployed heavily to avert any repeat of bloodshed.

Ssekikubo accuses Kutesa of funding his lone opponent, Patrick Nkalubo, while the Ssekikubo camp is believed to be solidly behind David Mushabe’s push to dislodge Kutesa. The situation remains tense until the victors have been declared and sworn in.

Budadiri West
It might appear that the minister for the Presidency, Beatrice Wabudeya, risked her political career to stand against FDC strongman, Nathan Nandala Mafabi. The minister who has been in Parliament on affirmative action platform as the Sironko Woman MP, decided to take on her political foe, Mafabi, in Budadiri West constituency.

When the results are declared, the nation will understand whether she made her political calculations well. Mafabi is an astute legislator, popular in the Bugisu region, respected in diplomatic circles and a fierce anti-corruption crusader.

Bugweri County
The victor in Bugweri county in the last election was decided by the Supreme Court after it ruled that NRM’s Alhaji Kirunda Kivejinja had rigged FDC’s Abdu Katuntu out of victory.

In this round, each camp is pointing an accusing finger at the other. Katuntu’s camp accuses that of internal affairs minister of arresting their supporters on tramped up charges. In defence, Kivejinja’s camp claims the opponents are staring at defeat and resorted to malicious propaganda.

Mawokota North
The politics of Mawokota North has never remained the same since the former principal private secretary of President Yoweri Museveni, Amelia Kyambadde, plunged into the fray. However, she found a buttressed incumbent, Peter Mutuluza.

Although he looks to have fallen out of favour with his party, NRM, Mutuluza seems to enjoy a sizeable support in the area. He chose to stand firmly behind Buganda and profess support for federalism while Kyambadde hopes the many projects she has started since her campaign commenced would win her votes.

Kibuku County
In Kibuku County, state minister for water, Jennifer Namuyangu, is facing off with incumbent MP Saleh Kamba. It is not clear why Namuyangu abandoned her woman MP seat to dethrone Kamba in the directly elected constituency. For whatever reason, the voters will have their last say and that voice will be loud after votes are counted tomorrow.

Soroti Municipality
The electrifying effect that surrounds former Health state minister, Capt. Mike Mukula makes him adorable. But four men are not interested in his flamboyancy and are taking him on for the Soroti Municipality seat. And Mukula will not bet for FDC’s Attan Okia Moses, Godfrey Egwau, Charles Ekemu and Peter Ojur, because when he did so in 2006, Ekemu defeated him minus moving Opiyai rock as he had told him off.

Bukoto Central
Speaker Edward Ssekandi faces an old foe, youthful Jude Mbabali of DP. Ssekandi won the last contest with a small margin and he did not sit comfortably in Parliament until a court case against him was disposed of. He represents Bukoto Central.

Isingiro North
In Isingiro North, the incumbent Bright Rwamirama is facing off with Dr. Posiano Mugyenyi, who lost the primaries in an acrimonious way. Rwamirama and Mugyenyi are already treading attacks.

Rwamirama for example accuses his opponent of being a liar and traitor. Rwamirama defeated Mugyenyi in NRM primaries but Posiano stood as an independent candidate claming the votes were rigged.

Kamuli
Kamuli has always been a battle ground. Big shot, Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga knows she needs to beat four other candidates if she is to either maintain her post of deputy Speaker or climb higher in the political horizons of the country.

Her task includes beating FDC’s Naikoba Prossy and Rehema Watongola (independent) who the deputy Speaker had dragged to court doubting her papers but she prevailed. Others are Mary Mutesi (independent) and Mariam Namwase (PDP).

Kabale
Agriculture minister, Hope Mwesigye, won the primaries to become the NRM flagbearer by the thread. She hence began her campaign for re-election as Kabale Woman MP when voters in the NRM-leaning district had shown their feelings about her.

Having antagonised the Catholic Church by reportedly urging a celibate priest to marry “so that he becomes occupied”, she touched a red button. Her opponents Maclean Kamusiime, Rohan Nimusiima and Mariam Kiconco will hope to capitalise on that goof.

Chua County
International relations minister, Henry Okello Oryem, knows that his return to Parliament lies in victory in Chua County. While there are nine other contestants, Oryem’s heart will throb with the understanding that his challenge lies in uprooting the incumbent, Livingstone Okello Okello, the UPC strongman.
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Masaka Municipality
John Kawanga’s several years of shrewd legislation face a near end should he fail to overcome the charging, Mathias Mpuuga and NRM’s Francis Mujoobe. While Mpuuga failed to win the DP ticket and is standing as an independent, he is a former Mengo minister and among the founders of Suubi — a Buganda pressure group.

In conservative Masaka, Mpuuga has an edge. The gun shots he suffered during the campaigns could add a consolation vote. And despite being an MP of good judgement, many voters in Masaka Municipality believe Kawanga has been an absent MP.

Jinja Municipality
Harry Kasigwa’s grip on Jinja Municipality West faces a fierce contender in NRM’s Moses Balyeku. The two have had an acrimonious campaign with supporters of each camp clashing more often than not.

Bujenje
In Masindi, information and national guidance minister, Kabakumba Masiko Lwaboni, is facing it tough in a bid to retain her Bujenje seat. The cause of headache is Phinehas Kyotasoboro (independent) whose drive to stand is on the feeling that the minister influenced the blocking of his favoured candidate, Lt. Patrick Kasumba from retiring from the army to vie for the seat. Close in the wings is FDC’s Daniel Kiiza and three others.

Serere
The pilgrimage NRM big shots have made to Serere just shows how much interest they have in having FDC secretary general, Alice Alaso, defeated. Many ministers and NRM ideologues have descended on Serere to campaign for new political entrant Hellen Adoa, the NRM flagbearer.

However, it will be an uphill task for her to defeat eloquent and outspoken Alaso in a region which has consistently voted for the opposition.

Museveni closes 2011 election campaign
Thursday, 17th February, 2011
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Cyclists ride through the streets of Kampala ahead of President Museveni’s last rally in Kololo on Wednesday

Museveni expects to beat 2006 record
Thursday, 17th February, 2011
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President Museveni, the beacon of NRM
By Moses Mulondo
and Francis Kagolo

BORN in 1944 in Ntungamo, western Uganda to a World War II veteran, Mzee Amos Kaguta, Museveni came to power in 1986 after waging a five-year guerilla war against the UPC government and the Tito Okello Lutwa Military junta.

Museveni sprung to the national political limelight when he founded FRONASA to fight Idi Amin.

Later, he founded the Uganda Patriotic Movement (UPM), which participated in the 1980 elections and won only one out of the 126 parliamentary seats.

Museveni protested the outcome of that election which was believed to have been won by DP but was allegedly rigged by UPC.

He and many other combatants took up arms to fight for justice and democracy in the Luweero war. He has won all the previous elections since 1996.

Museveni won the 1996 presidential election with 75.5% against 22.3% for his then closet rival Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere.

In the 2001 election, Museveni won with 69.4% against 27.7% of his closet rival Dr. Kizza Besigye. In 2006, Museveni won with 59.2% against Besigye’s 37.3%

Counting on the claimed increased support for his party in the Northern and Eastern regions, NRM believes Museveni will win with a percentage higher than the 59.2% which he got in 2006. Museveni has been in power for the last 25 years, enabling him establish structure for his party, NRM.

What he has promised:
More industrialization to spur economic growth

Maintaining Peace, security, law and order.

Continue with the policy of zero-tolerance to corruption

Extension of banking services and SACCOs in rural areas to create jobs

Expand electricity generation to 3,800 mega watts, tarmack and reconstruct roads

Improve the quality of education and strengthen UPE, USE and Vocational education

Improve remuneration of health workers and provide them with decent housing while also improving the method and timely delivery of drugs

Besigye’s third shot at State House
Thursday, 17th February, 2011
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FDC/IPC candidate Kizza Besigye
Colonel (rtd.) Dr. Kizza Besigye, 56, FDC/IPC

THIS election seems to be a do or die contest for the FDC presidential candidate. This is his third shot at the presidency, having contested in 2001 and 2006. In both contests he unsuccessfully challenged the electoral process in the courts.

Besigye and his strategists hope to tap into the simmering discontent among Ugandans over corruption, poverty, unemployment and poor health service delivery.

However, analysts say the end of the Northern war will lift Museveni.

The retired colonel has the backing of other Inter Party Cooperation (IPC) which has; JEEMA, CP, SDP and Suubi, a Buganda pressure group.

Besigye’s key message in the campaigns has been “Change is coming.” He believes this can happen in today’s vote.

Besigye was Museveni’s doctor during the NRA guerilla war but fell out with the president in 2000.
He claimed that the Movement had derailed from its objectives.

Unlike in the past when he was seen as a man with only urban support, Besigye has in this campaign reached out mainly to rural voters.

What he has promised:

Solve the Buganda question by introducing a federal system of government

Improving welfare for soldiers and increase wages of medical staff

Raise the teachers’ salary from the current sh250, 000 to sh400,000
.
Free breakfast and lunch to UPE children

Zero tolerance to corruption

Free medical care to expectant mothers

Nobert Mao promises a new Uganda
Thursday, 17th February, 2011
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Mao carrying the DP flag
Norbert Mao, 44, Democratic Party

NOBERT Mao is a lawyer, an orator and the leader of the Democratic Party (DP).

He was twice the MP for Gulu Municipality between 1996 and 2006 and applauded as an exceptional debater.

Born on March 12, 1967, Mao has branded himself the true candidate for national reconciliation.

He went to Namilyango College before joining Makerere University for a degree in law where he also became the guild president in 1990.

Although he has many good attributes, Mao’s disadvantage is that he has gone into this election leading a divided a party.

After losing to John Ssebaana Kizito during his first attempt to lead DP in 2006, Mao stood for Gulu district chairman and he won.
What he has promised:
Overhaul the education system

Establishing 16 public universities.

Increase agriculture and health budget allocations to 15%.

Massive investment in the reconstruction of war ravaged northern Uganda.

A transparent and citizen-centred oil and gas policy

Bwanika plans to make Uganda self-reliant
Thursday, 17th February, 2011
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Bwanika is PDP’s hopeful
Abed Bwanika, 44,
People’s Development Party

ALTHOUGH he was new on the political scene when he contested in the 2006 presidential elections, Abed Bwanika, as an independent, performed better than Miria Kalule Obote, who led the UPC. He scored 0.95% of the total votes against Miria’s 0.82%.

He, however, angered the opposition in 2006 when he swore an affidavit in the Supreme Court affirming that the 2006 elections were free and fair. This was after Col. Besigye challenged the elections in Court.

After the 2006 elections, Bwanika transformed his campaign structure into a fully-fledged political party – the People’s Development Party.

A former chairman of Uganda’s Veterinary Doctors Association, Bwanika is also a pastor of Christian Witness Church in Ntinda and hopes to get many votes from Pentecostal Christians though his fellow pastors have not come out to openly back him.

Born in 1967 in Masaka, Bwanika is one of the founders of Nkoba Zambogo, a Baganda youth pressure group in universities.

What he has promised:
Give pregnant women, children free medical care

Minimum Wage to workers

Pay teachers a minimum salary of sh500,000

Reducing the size of the cabinet and Parliament

Relocating the capital city to Nakasongola

Otunnu does not expect free and fair poll
Thursday, 17th February, 2011
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Otunnu is UPC’s voice in the election
Olara Otunnu, Uganda People’s Congress

KNOWN to be politically acidic because of his vitriol attacks against the NRM government, UPC presidential candidate Dr. Olara Otunnu goes into this election with no hope that Electoral Commission will be able to hold free and fair elections.

That is why he has carried a blue book to all his rallies for Ugandans who want the current EC disbanded to append their signatures.

Born in Chua County, Kitgum district, Otunnu is a graduate of Makerere University, Oxford University and Harvard Law School. In the 1970s, as Makerere guild president and later as Secretary-General of Uganda Freedom Union, Otunnu played a leading role in the resistance against Idi Amin.

At the Moshi Conference, Otunnu was elected as a member of the National Consultative Council, the interim administration after Amin where president Museveni served as the state minister for defense.

He was the minister for Foreign Affairs under the Okello Lutwa military junta from July 1985 to January 1986, during which time he played a prominent role in the Uganda peace talks between NRA rebels and the junta.

From 1980 to 1985, he served as Uganda‘s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

He later became the UN Under-Secretary General and Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict. He has spent most of his time in diplomatic service out of the country.

What he has promised:
Reserve 40% of all national leadership positions for women

Give 20% loyalties to communities with oil

Re-establish cooperatives and subsidize farm inputs

Lower taxation for SMEs

Provide decent housing for Police and army

Bidandi wants to be Uganda’s Mandela
Thursday, 17th February, 2011
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Bidandi Ssali of PPP
Jaberi Bidandi Ssali, 74, People's Progressive Party

“I am an old man. I will be a one-term President like Nelson Mandela,” Jaberi Bidandi Ssali chorused at every rally. Born on July 17, 1937, Bidandi has served in nearly all the governments that have ruled Uganda since independence.

In 1958 he went to Lahore University in Pakistan for a degree in agriculture and came back in 1962 to participate in independence struggle and politics.
Between 1963 and 1965, Bidandi was the UPC secretary general for Buganda region and in 1964 he was the deputy mayor of Kampala City Council.

He prides in having been the manager of Uganda Cranes between 1976 and 1978 during which the national team reached the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana.

As one of the founders of Uganda Patriotic Movement (UPM) of Museveni, Bidandi served in the NRM administration as minister from 1986 to 2004 when he was fired after he openly disagreed with President Museveni over amending the Constitution to abolish presidential term limits. He also served as the MP for Nakawa division between 1996 and 2006.

What he has promised:

Restore presidential term limits

Develop a comprehensive land policy
Re-introduce co-operative societies and increase the agriculture budget

Establish a federal system of governance

Heavy investment in science and technology

Kamya’s faith in women and federal lovers
Thursday, 17th February, 2011
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Beti Kamya of UFA
Beti Olive Namisango Kamya,
Uganda Federal Alliance

WHEREVER she has campaigned, Beti Kamya has re-echoed two main messages, “Uganda is ready for federalism and a woman president now.”

Kamya graduated with a bachelor of commerce degree in 1979 and worked as the Executive Director of Uganda Wild Life Education Centre between 1999 and 2004.

In 2001, she contested for Lubaga North constituency and lost. Between 2001 and 2005, Kamya was acting as the spokesperson of Reform Agenda which amalgamated with the Parliamentary Advocacy Forum (PAFO) to form FDC.
In 2005, amid requests from party leaders to step down for Alice Alaso for regional balance, Beti Kamya stood for FDC secretary general and lost the contest to Alaso.

In 2006 she contested again for Lubaga North constituency and this time she overwhelmingly won the seat.

Kamya fell out with FDC when she failed to replace fallen party chairman, Dr Suleiman Kiggundu. In 2009, Kamya spent much of her time moving around the country to prepare ground for her party ( UFA).

What she has promised:
Implement federalism

Allocate over 15% of the national budget to agriculture and revive co-operative unions

Establish a public health insurance scheme

Guarantee a minimum wage for workers

Stop MPs from determining their emoluments

Lubega to lead with cultural, religious leaders
Thursday, 17th February, 2011
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Lubega is a stand alone
Samuel Walter Lubega Mukaaku, 42, independent

BORN in 1969, Lubega is one of the founders of the Democratic Party’s youth wing of Uganda Young Democrats.

After his diploma in education at Nkozi NTC between 1986 and 1988 he taught biology and chemistry in various schools before joining Makerere University for an agricultural economics degree in 1991.

In 1996, he unsuccessfully attempted to become the MP for Kawempe North. In 2006, Lubega contested for the Busiro East parliamentary seat and he lost.

During his stay at the University of Wales in UK where he read a Masters Degree in Social Development he was voted the DP chairman for the UK chapter.

On return in 2009 he aspired for the DP presidency but boycotted the controversial Mbale Delegates’ Conference that elected Nobert Mao. He decided to stand as an independent candidate.

What he has promised:

lEstablish a federal system of governance
l Tougher laws to stamp out corruption
l Reduce taxes on essential commodities
l Allocate biggest percentage of budget to agriculture
l Re-instate presidential term limits

u.g boy

February 17th, 2011, 10:23 PM

Day of reckoning as country picks President, 349 MPs

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By Tabu Butagira (email the author)
Posted Friday, February 18 2011 at 00:00
Kampala

Today is the democratic and political judgement day for the country’s political honchos. Some 13,954,129 Ugandans, the Electoral Commission says it has registered as voters, head to the ballot stations this morning to pick a new President and at least 349 directly-elected and District Woman Members of Parliament.

Actual voting opens at the 23,968 polling stations countrywide at 7am and closes by 5pm, although any voter already in the queue by 5pm will be entitled to vote. The voters will choose candidates of their preference by either ticking or thumb-printing in the box slot besides each candidate’s photo/symbol on the ballot paper. There are eight presidential candidates in the race, among them one woman, Ms Beti Olive Kamya of Uganda Federal Alliance, who has picked the Giraffe as a pictogram for her party.

The symbols
Incumbent President Museveni, in power since 1986, is the flag bearer for the National Resistance Movement-Organisation (NRM-O) whose symbol is a Bus. For the Inter-Party Cooperation - an amalgam of the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party, Justice Forum (JEEMA), Conservative Party (CP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) – retired colonel Dr Kizza Kifefe Besigye is the flag bearer. The IPC symbol is a Key.

Former UN under-secretary general for Children and Armed Conflict Olara Otunnu is the flag bearer for Uganda Peoples Congress party whose pictogram is an open palm. The Democratic Party’s representative mark is a Hoe and its candidate is Mr Norbert Mao, the immediate past chairman of Gulu District.

Former long-serving local government minister Mr Jaberi Bindadi Ssali, leader of the People’s Progressive Party, is the other candidate in the race and he has picked a lit Tilley Lamp as his political sign. People’s Development Party’s Abed Bwanika registered a thinly top-to-bottom horizontally stripped flag with four-angle star emblazoned in the middle, although a Bell appears as the symbol next to his image on the ballot paper.

Mr Samuel Walter Lubega is the only Independent candidate gunning to be President and chose as his symbol a Woman on the walk with a child strapped on her back, and carrying head load. This image is in a circle. The order of the candidates on the presidential ballot from top to bottom has Dr Bwanika, Dr Besigye, Ms Kamya, Mr Bidandi, Mr Mao, Mr Otunnu, Mr Lubega and Mr Museveni.

Second multi-party poll
This will be the second multi-party elections in Uganda since amendment of the 1995 Constitution in 2005 and also the second time since then to hold both presidential and parliamentary votes on the same day. Both elections are held after every five years. In today’s poll, voters will pick 237 directly-elected legislators and 112 District Woman MPs, running either as independent candidates or on the ticket of 15 of the 38 registered political parties in the country.

No voting will take place for directly-elected MP for Okoro constituency in the new Zombo District of West Nile after the EC suspended the polls following the passing on, a few days ago, of FDC flag bearer Tom Acam. However, voting for the District Woman MP will go on as scheduled.

According to EC rules, each polling station shall have one presiding pfficer (the in-charge), four polling assistants, one unarmed police constable and 1 orderly officer (a civilian).
Other persons allowed inside the polling station shall include candidates’ agents, local and international observers and journalists.

Clause 8 of Section 9 of the (amended) Parliamentary Elections Act provides that: “For the avoidance of doubt, a military personnel, a member of the Internal Security Organisation or the External Security Organisation shall not be appointed as an election constable.”
The law also bars the EC from establishing any polling station exclusively for soldiers or security personnel to vote at.

Each polling station shall be clearly carved out using a band, a rope or ribbon as the case maybe, and have only one entry/exit point. There shall be no access using the ‘sealed’ side areas. The orderly officer will stand at the entrance to organise voters to queue and get into the polling station one after another without any hassle or delay.
Voting shall not begin unless there are at least five voters present at the polling station to verify voting materials have not been tampered with, and that the transparent ballot box is empty.

To ascertain this, the presiding officer or any of the election officials is required to open the lid of the ballot box and toss it upside done and show to all around that there is no foreign material in it. At the first table inside the polling station, shall seat the presiding officer and a polling assistant who will issue one presidential ballot paper to each voter, but only after the particulars are established in National Voter’s Register.

In the first column on this ballot paper is the presidential candidate’s full name (in alphabetical order); the second column carries his/her coloured mug-shot (passport-size photograph); the party name and or independent symbol are in the third column while the fourth column has the space where a voter ticks or thumb-prints as a mark of choice of preferred candidate.

After ticking or thumb-printing, the voter then folds the ballot paper once, lengthwise, and slots it in a ballot box before proceeding to repeat the same process to pick a directly-elected and Woman MP at tables 2 and 3, respectively. No voter is obliged to pick a candidate for all the three elective positions up for grabs in today’s vote, although it is a civic duty to do so to ensure one’s views are heard and represented at every tier of democratic decision-making. Upon casting the final ballot, the voter moves to table four to blot the index digit with an EC-provided indelible ink, and exits the station.

The law allows the election officials, or an appointed emissary such as a son/daughter or relative, to help voters impaired by physical/mental infirmity or disability to be assisted on specific instructions throughout the voting process. Once voting ends, the presiding officer shall in the presence of candidate’s agents and voters who choose to attend, but from outside the polling station, count ballot for each contestant and enter the tallies in a declaration form.

Candidates’ agents, if they have no objections, then counter-sign the declaration form to authenticate the results which the Presiding Officer shall announce to the public immediately at the polling station, before transmitting the same to the District Returning Officer through election official at the sub-county or division level.

The Returning Officer, after compiling all the tallies in the district electoral areas, declares the winner MP. While EC chairman Eng. Badru Kiggundu announces the presidential vote results and he is obliged by law do to so within 48 hours after today’s ballot.

Kiggundu: I will announce winner within 48 hours

http://www.monitor.co.ug/image/view/-/1109544/highRes/238042/-/maxw/600/-/1ysurwz/-/elections001px.png
By Sheila Naturinda (email the author)
Posted Friday, February 18 2011 at 00:00
Kampala

The Electoral Commission yesterday issued last day guidelines for today’s polls, and said the presidential election winner will be announced within the legally required 48 hours without fail.

Dr Badru Kiggundu said polling kits will be delivered at polling stations in the morning by boda bodas which the commission will pay Shs10,000 to and from the station. He also directed that district returning officers will only announce parliamentary election results starting with results of the directly elected MPs before the women MP results.
Dr Kiggundu also said polling station presiding officers will first count tallies of votes from presidential ballot boxes, followed by directly elected MPs box before counting women MP boxes.

“And in Kampala we shall ensure we announce presidential results within the 48 hours from close of polling without fail,” Dr Kiggundu said at a media briefing in Kampala yesterday.
Polling starts today at 7am and closes at 5pm. This means the results of the winning president will be announced by 5pm on Sunday.

At the same briefing, the police chief said investigations were ongoing for police to establish the people behind some sms phone messages which are calling for citizens to prepare and stock food.

Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura, however, said the office of the Prime Minister had through Warid Telephone Company sent a general message calling on stocking food for fear of an impending drought and famine season “but some unscrupulous people changed the message to mean that riots would occur.”

He also said police will not allow any heavy muscled men, locally called kanyamas to hang around any polling station in the guise of guarding their candidates’ votes because that is the work of agents. “We shall not hesitate to arrest any individual who attempts to interfere or cause disorder at polling stations,” he said. He reminded the country that he would call in the army if the worst came to the worst. “But people should stop inciting because we shall not accept any hooliganism.”

Migingo left out
Dr Kiggundu also asked media houses and candidates to desist from announcing their own results because it would be illegal. Last week, Dr Kiggundu said media houses and candidates were free to announce provisional results but that the EC retains the lawful mandate to declare the official result. At the same press briefing, he also said Migingo Island wasn’t catered for in this election process “because it is an internationally contested area.” Both Uganda and its eastern neighbour, Kenya, lay claim to the tiny island.

u.g boy

February 18th, 2011, 09:12 AM

LIVE TEXT: Uganda elections update
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http://www.monitor.co.ug/image/view/-/1109950/highRes/238200/-/maxw/600/-/t42cemz/-/votingpix.png
An elderly lady is helped to vote at Namuwongo Katale voting centre. This center started voting at 9am. PHOTO BY YUSUF MUZIRANSA

(email the author)
Posted Friday, February 18 2011 at 09:30
IN SUMMARY

Welcome to the Daily Monitor Live Text on the 2011 general election in Uganda. Our online team and field reporters across the country will provide you with round the clock updates on all events taking place throughout voting day and the days that follow. Also follow us on our twitter and facebook accounts: -

10:55 GMT: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Dr Abed Bwanika, escorted by his wife, votes at Kulambiro at 10:30am. He caused laughter when he forgot to stamp his finger with ink. Dr Bwanika is currently addressing a press conference.

1041 GMT: In Makindye at Jack and Jill polling station, what was expected to be one polling station has been divided into two, according to the names of voters. Voters with names beginning with A to M are being asked to queue in a different area while those with names from N to Z are being asked to vote in a different area close to the polling station.

By 9am this morning, electoral materials for voters with names beginning with N to Z had not arrived. According to the presiding officer at the polling station, the materials for voters with names beginning with A-M were being held at Kabalagala police station

1012 GMT: Chaos in Kyengera as boxes without seals are being brought in. People's names are missing in the voter's register

0936 GMT: Voting kicks off in Nakawa area with a snake queue. People cross about voting starting two hours late.

0930 GMT: Voter turn-out generally good in West Nile region. Our correspondents report that people are eager to vote and so far, no reported disturbances. There a few cases of people being turned away because their names are either missing on the register or they turned up at a wrong polling station.

u.g boy

February 18th, 2011, 06:59 PM

scenes from 2011 elections

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For some it was a working day. UPDF soldiers patroling on the election day pictured walking from Kawempe side towards Kampala. Photo by Ismail Kezaala.

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An Indian casts his vote at Old Kampala. Photo by Geoffrey Sseruyange.

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Mzee Kuteesa Charles Walusimbi cast his vote from Naggulu Primary School Kakiri. Photo by Stephen Otage.

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Anti riot police moving around town centers in Moroto

u.g boy

February 18th, 2011, 07:05 PM

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u.g boy

February 18th, 2011, 07:20 PM

Mostly peaceful, voting day ends
UGANDA VOTES | FEBRUARY 18, 2011 AT 7:01 PM |
The long awaited voting day has finally come to a close with polling stations closing on time at around 5.00 pm. However, things got off to a slow start with polling stations opening between the hours of 8.00 am and as late as 12.00 pm.
On a positive note, there was little violence, which could be attributed to the strong presence of police and military forces stationed at various points throughout the country. Also, voters took an active role in arriving early and observing the proceedings, as well as staying behind after close of voting, to ensure against malpractice.
On a negative note, a large number of voters were frustrated and disappointed when they found themselves registered in stations they did not register for, or just found their names missing altogether.
There were reported occurrences like missing seals from ballot boxes, ghost voters in Sembabule and an accusation of bribery in Mbale (among others) that led to a high speed chase resulting in the deaths of three people.
All in all, the atmosphere has remained calm, with the exception of areas that are heavily deployed with a strong police presence. Taking into account however, that they are there for our safety, we can rest easy in the hope that order will continue to reign. Now it’s up to the Electoral Commission to release the results of vote counting, and Uganda can continue to the next step.

u.g boy

February 18th, 2011, 11:27 PM

Police averts chaos in Makindye
Friday, 18th February, 2011
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Makindye division

THERE was a high turn up of voters in Makindye Division in Kampala district, although some polling stations did not have voting materials up to around 10:30 am.
The delay in the delivery of voting materials led to some chaos, but with the intervention of presiding officers and the Police, calm was restored.

Affected areas in Makindye Division included Jack and Jill Nursery and Primary School and Kisaawe-Kabalagala.

Voters at each of the two polling stations, whose surnames begin with A to M, did not have their voting materials ready, save for the Electoral Commission registers.

Close to about 2,500 voters were affected at both polling stations.
It is only voters with surnames beginning with letters N to Z, whose voting materials arrived on time at both stations.

Both polling stations, according to officials, have in the past had a combined register, unlike this time.
At Jack and Jill, the situation almost went out control, until the Police calmed the frustrated voters.

The Kabalagala Division Police commander, Wesley Nganinzi, quickly stepped in and restored calm. He told Saturday Vision that he had briefed his superiors about the issue and he expected the delivery of the voting materials shortly.

By 11:00am, the stranded voters at Kisaawe-Kabalagala had been supplied with their voting materials. The separation of the registers also caused a one hour delay at some of the polling stations, located at Molly and Paul in Makindye. Voters were undecided on which queues to join; but the issue was later resolved.

At most of the polling stations Saturday Vision visited in Makindye, voting had kicked off well. Most of the polling stations started voting at about 8:00am and by 11:00am, the queues were so long.

The majority of the polling stations had one or two unarmed Police constables.

Rubaga division
In Rubaga South, at Rubaga Boys Primary School, registered voters who are eligible, turned out early to vote.

Among the voters, was Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala, Kampala Archbishop Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, priests and nuns.

At this polling station voting started at 9:35am instead of 7am.

Although voters arrived on time, the exercise started a little late.
The presiding officer, Shakira Nalweyiso, said that were waiting for items to be delivered from the Rubaga police station, where they were kept.

They were only picked from there at 8:45am.

At Wankulukuku, the incumbent, John Ken Lukyamuzi, who is seeking a second term in parliament, voted at 10:30am.

At St. Jude polling station in Najjanankumbi along Entebbe Road, voters arrived at 6:00am but exercise started at 7:15am.

Voters arise early in Kampala outskirts
Friday, 18th February, 2011
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Mukono

IN Mukono, there were reports of split polling centres, which caused confusion among the masses, since they were not marked. The polls opened promptly at 7:00am and there was an air of excitement as many people started voting on time.

All was calm and in order in the usually-noisy town as people concentrated on the voting, which prompted the noisy vendors to stay at home, while other traders opted to stay at home after or before voting.

“We shall be able to monitor elections results through the media. Safety is vital for me and my family,” said Faith Kayesu, a parent in Mukono.
While previous election campaigns were marred by violence in Mukono town this election has been mostly free of violence and intimidation.

“We stocked enough grain to feed us just in case anything happens but we hope that nothing nasty happens. I pray to God that the one that loses the election accepts defeat peacefully,” she added.

Seeta
As the polling stations opened in Seeta, many residents were already waiting to cast their votes. Much as the ballot papers arrived late in both Bagala and Gwafu zones, the residents waited patiently to cast their votes.

The residents who arrived at the polling stations as early as 6:00am waited patiently for the arrival of the ballot papers.

Tom Walusimbi the chairman of Gwafu zone said that his people were willing to vote but some were ejected from the line because their names were not found in the voters register.

“This made some of them to go home and quit the voting as they had waited for so long and were then bounced,” he added.

Wakiso
In Busiro North, Wakiso district, where the Vice-President, Prof. Gilbert Bukenya voted at Naguru church polling station, he expressed concern about the many cases of names missing on the roll or those that were transferred to other polling stations, arbitrarily.

He called upon the electoral commission to look into the issue for smooth subsequent elections but was, however, confident that the elections would be free of violence.

He also called upon Ugandans to exercise restraint and avoid confrontation as they vote. The presiding officer, Leila Namubiru, said voting at the station started twenty minutes late, as polling officials set up the venue. The exercise was calm.

Kasangati
Voting started on time and went on smoothly, but was marred by misplacement of names. At several polling stations some voters had new voters cards but their particulars were missing on the register. Other cases involved missing photographs or wrong names. In some cases people’s names were on the register, but with no photographs.

Even if people were identified by the locals, different polling agents refused to allow them to vote.

An elderly Sister Triza Nabasumba, who has been voting in the area all her life, was missing a photo and details of her particulars, despite having a voter’s card. The other problem is that several people did not know the procedure.

Poll materials delivered late in Ntinda
Friday, 18th February, 2011
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Ntinda

IN Ntinda materials arrived at 9:00 am, and matters were not helped by missing names on the register.
Voters would be referred to other places where some reportedly also found their names missing.

At Toddler polling station which EC chief Badru Kiggundu visited, he gave the complainants a hotline to call for verification, which helped sort out some of the cases.

People's Progressive Party aspirantj Jaberi Bidandi Ssali voted in this area at Nsimbi Ziwome.

Kamwokya
At the Kamwokya Old Church area polling Station, the polling agents exchanged words with the presiding officer, Agnes Birungi over a another voter’s register that had been given to her by the area NRM chairman, James Kakooza, different from the official national register.

Election materials delay polling
Friday, 18th February, 2011
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By vision reporters

VOTING in Mpigi and Butambala districts was calm. However, the exercise was delayed at several polling centres due to late arrival of polling materials.

At Police Centre N-Z polling station in Mpigi, voting started at 9:00am. Lydia Nakibuuka, the presiding officer, said the officials waited for police constables before starting the exercise. She also said some names were not on the register.

But the district police commander, Barbara Alungat, dismissed the reports, saying the police could not have delayed the exercise, since they were the ones who delivered the materials from the registrar’s office.
At Butambale Katende N-Z in Butambala, voting started at 7:30am. The presiding officer complained that many people did not know how to vote.

She also complained that some names in the register were not in alphabetical order, which complicated their work.

The Education minister, Namirembe Bitamazire, cast her ballot at Kibuga Church of Uganda at 12:00pm. She said she was confident of a win.

Makindye, Kampala
Although there was a high turn-up of voters in Makindye Division, some polling stations did not have voting materials up to 10:30am.

The delay in the delivery of voting materials threw a few voters into chaos, but with the intervention of presiding officers and the Police, calm was restored.

Affected areas included Jack and Jill Nursery and Primary School and Kisaawe-Kabalagala.

Voters in each of the two polling stations, whose surnames begin with A up to M, did not have their voting materials ready, except for the register. Close to about 2,500 voters at both polling centres were affected.

The Kabalagala division Police commander, Wesley Nganinzi, quickly stepped in and restored calm.

The split of the registers also caused a one-hour delay at some of the polling stations, located at Molly and Paul in Makindye.

Meanwhile, there was heavy deployment of Police at all polling stations which had chaos. But many of the polling stations had one or two unarmed police constables.

Kirinya, Wakiso
Some people were turned away at Kirinya Church of Uganda polling station, when they were told their names were not on the register. Most claimed they had confirmed that there names were on the register, but were surprised to find that they were not.

However, because there were over five polling stations at the same venue, most of the names were on other lists within the same venue.

Rubaga, Kampala
Most polling stations received voting materials after 9.00am.
By that time, hundreds of enthusiastic people had already lined up, waiting to vote.

Rubaga South MP candidate Ken Lukyamuzi said he was upset by the delay and attributed it to incompetence of the Electoral Commission.

Mutungo, kampala
People arrived at the polling station as early as 6:00am. By 7:30am, there was a crowd, but the voting materials had not arrived. Some people went away without voting. The materials came at 8:30am

Kololo, kampala
Voting was orderly and the voting materials had arrived by 8:00am.

Compiled by Conan Businge, Joyce Namutebi, Henry Sekanjako and
Nelson Naturinda

Observers praise Makerere voting
Friday, 18th February, 2011
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Election observers compiling a report about the polling process
By Alfred byenkya

EAST Africa Law Society poll observers have hailed the Electoral Commission for organising what they termed as a free and fair election.

Kenneth Wabwire, an observer, said the presidential and parliamentary elections were well organised.

“We have been to many polling stations in Kampala but we have not seen any violence and electoral malpractices,” he said.

He made the remarks at Makerere University after inspecting some of the polling stations in and round the institution.

Wabwire, however, noted that the voter turn-up of people above 40 years of age was poor and wondered why they had not participated in the exercise.

“The turn-up of youth and women has been big, but the aged have not come in large numbers,” he noted.
He said the presence of the Police on the streets of Kampala had not affected the voter turn-up as

some people had anticipated.
At most polling stations inside Makerere University voting started late due to the delay in delivery of election materials.

At Makerere University Primary School, the exercise started at about 9:00am. Ochieng Johnson, a Police officer attached to the polling station, said the turn up was impressive despite the delays.

“The materials arrived at about 8:45am and voting began at 9:00am,” Ochieng said.

Winnie Nabatanzi, the presiding officer at Africa Hall polling station, said they had set up two voting centres at each polling station to reduce delays.

“This was done so that people do not stay in the line for long,” she explained.

Juliet Namubiru, the presiding officer at Livingstone Hall, told New Vision that they had sent away three people whose names were not on the register.

“Some people do not know where they are supposed to vote from, we have so far registered three cases,” she said.

Richard Oketcho, a polling agent of the Forum for Democratic Change who is stationed at Makerere University, said he was satisfied with the process.

“All polling agents were given a copy of the national voter’s register to monitor every person that turns up for voting. We want to make sure that there are no ghost voters,” he said.

Makerere University has over 10 Polling stations where students and other people who reside in the neighborhood are casting their votes.

Dem Group’s official, Masali Peter, said they had deployed at all the stations at Makerere University.

“The elections went well, the situation was calm and we hope that it was the same in other parts of the country,” he said.

Voting peaceful at upcountry stations
Friday, 18th February, 2011
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IPC presidential candidate Besigye accompanies his wife Winnie Byanyima to vote at Ruti Muslim Primary School, Mbarara
Mpigi and Butambala
VOTING in Mpigi and Butambala districts was calm. However, the exercise was delayed at several poling centres due to late arrival of polling materials.

At Police Centre N-Z polling station in Mpigi, voting started at 9:00am.

Lydia Nakibuuka, the presiding officer said the officials had to wait for police constables to show up before starting the exercise.

She also said some people’s names were not on the people’s register.

The district police commander, Barbara Alungat dismissed the reports saying the police could not have delayed since they were the ones who delivered the materials from the registrar’s office.

At Kikunyu polling station A, voting started at 8:20am. The presiding officer, Jackline Nalunkuma attributed the delay to the late arrival of polling materials.

At Kabasanda polling station in Butambala, voting started at 7:20am. At Butambale Katende N-Z polling station in Butambala, voting started at 7:30am.

The presiding officer said the delay was due to the sorting of polling materials.

She complained that the officials had to carryout voter education since many people did not know how to vote. She also complained that some names in the voters register were not in alphabetical order, which complicated their work.

Education minister, Namirembe Bitamazire cast her ballot at Kibuga Church of Uganda Polling Station at 12:00pm. She said she was confident of a win, observed that there was a higher voter turn out.

Manafwa, Bududa
In Bubuda and Manafwa, voters in Bukofu sub-county were angered after several names did not appear on the register.

The district registrar Salim Kuzinda ordered the parish supervisor to contact the Electoral Commission offices in Kampala on how the matter should be resolved.

In Bududa town council two crime preventers were thrown out of a polling station due to lack of identification. The two men also did not have uniforms which caused suspicion among the voters.

Report by Brian Mayanja and Patrick Ogwang , Ibrahim Kasiita, Conan Businge, Brenda Asiimwe, Cecilia Okoth, Stella Naigino, Juliet Lukwago, Andrew Ssenyonga, Florence Nakaayi, Joyce namutebi, Tadeo Bwambale, Henry Sekanjako, Angela Ndagano, Chris Kiwawulo and Paul Watala

Record numbers in 2011 elections
Friday, 18th February, 2011
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By Vision Reporters

UGANDANS yesterday turned out in unprecedented numbers to cast their votes in the second elections in a multi-party setting, amid reports of missing names and late arrival of material at some polling stations.

Long snake-like queues were a common site at many polling stations in the city and other parts of the country, as voters cast their votes peacefully.

At many of the polling stations voters could be seen interacting with and being assisted by regular Police in uniform, many of them not armed or with only a baton.

But there were reports of some polling stations opening a little late after the stipulated time of 7:00am, due to minor disruptions like delayed arrival of voting materials or there being no voters present at that time.

According to the Electoral Commission, there are 13.9 million registered voters and polling takes place from 7:00am t0 5:00pm at the 23, 968 polling stations throughout the country.
The voting day was declared a public holiday.

The elections to choose a president and constituency members of parliament, are being monitored by over 1,600 local and international observers.

A total of eight candidates are in the race for presidency. They include the incumbent, the National Resistance Movement candidate President Yoweri Museveni, who is seeking a fourth term.

Others are opposition front runner and Inter-Party Cooperation (IPC) candidate Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye, Nobert Mao (Democratic Party), Jaberi Bidandi Ssali (People’s Progressive Party), Beti Olive Kamya (Uganda Federal Alliance), Dr. Abed Bwanika (People’s Development Party), Olara Otunnu (Uganda People’s Congress) and independent Samuel Lubega.

All the opinion polls including one commissioned by the opposition, have put Museveni in the lead, followed by Besigye.

Nakawa division
In Nakawa division, some registered voters at polling stations turned up only to be told that their names were missing on the voters’ register.

At about 20 polling stations visited by Saturday Vision, some people found their names missing on the register and they were told to go back home because they could not vote. But these were only a few unfortunate cases.

Joseph Ochen, 35, a voter at Nakawa Pentecostal polling station, was disappointed that his name was not on the register yet he had the voter’s card.

“I checked at all the three polling stations but my name was missing. How did it come about and yet I have participated in previous voting exercises?” he asked.

Alice Namusisi also missed voting because her Christian name did not appear on the register but the photo and surname were on the register.

The returning officer, Moses Kibuuka, said those missing from the list would not vote, quoting from the electoral laws that he said guide his every decision.

“Your name and the photo should be on the register, even if you have the voter’s card,” he explained.

At Bbiina polling station, some voters were confused about where they were supposed to vote from.

At Kintitale zone II, the voting exercise started at 10:00am yet the official voting time is 7:00am.

The area chairman, William Galabuzi, attributed the delay on the returning officer, blaming him for the late arrival of materials.

“EC officials were dispatching materials at every station but when they came here, the officer in charge was not around,” he said. The NRM candidate for Nakawa Division, Frederick Ruhindi, yesterday complained about the missing names of voters in his electoral area.

“Some people’s names are missing on the electoral register, though the exercise has been going on smoothly,” Ruhindi said at Bugolobi, where he cast his vote.

The exercise, that began at 8:00am saw many voters turning up to vote their favored candidates.

Justin Okoth, the presiding officer, said the exercise was delayed because some people’s names were missing from the register. “Some people turned up with registration slips but their names were missing from the lists. Unfortunately, they were chased away”, Okoth said.

Kololo
In Kololo, voting was peaceful and without incident, and the electoral materials arrived on time. A few cases of people who did not go for the verification exercise and therefore did not have their photos against their names, were referred to other stations.

u.g boy

February 19th, 2011, 01:44 PM

Museveni sets 71 percent pace
Friday, 18th February, 2011
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NRM presidential candidate Yoweri Museveni's tally stayed strong on Saturday afternoon after the fifth provisional results released by the EC indicated that he has picked the lion's share of votes so far counted.

President Museveni is still in in the 70s after the fifth round of provisional results were released at 1pm. Earlier, in the third round of results released, Museveni had 71.92% of 1,545,832 votes counted from 4720 of 23,968 polling centres. These results were released by the EC chairman Eng. Badru Kiggundu at 6.35am today. Besigye had 22.3 per cent of the vote with the rest sharing about 5 per cent.

Fifth Provisional results
Registered Voters
13,954,129

Results from:
10,324 polling stations out of 23,968

Candidate
Abed Bwanika
[PDP]
22,587
0.66%

Besigye Kizza Kifefe
[FDC]
781,353
22.92%

Beti Olive Namisango Kamya
[UFA]
20,316
0.60%

Bidandi Ssali Jaberi
[PPP]
14,747
0.43%

Mao Norbert
[DP]
50,027
1.47%

Olara Otunnu
[UPC]
70,611
2.07%

Samuel Lubega Walter Mukaaku
Independent
15,977
0.47%

Yoweri K Museveni
[NRM]
2,432,864
71.38%

Provisional Total Valid Votes Cast
3,408,482

Invalid Votes
149,486
4.20%

Spoilt Votes
10,079

Provision Total Votes Cast
3,557,659

Fourth round of provisional results
These are from 6905 polling stations of 23,968 centres. This 28% of the polling stations.

Abed Bwanika
[PDP]
15,041
0.67%

Besigye Kizza Kifefe
[FDC]
520650
23.02%

Beti Olive Namisango Kamya
[UFA]
15,103
0.67%

Bidandi Ssali Jaberi
[PPP]
10069
0.45%

Mao Norbert
[DP]
37,261
1.65%

Olara Otunnu
[UPC]
44,364
1.96%

Samuel Lubega Walter Mukaaku
Independent
9946
0.44%

Yoweri K Museveni
[NRM]
1,608,989
71.15%

Provisional Total Valid Votes Cast
2,261,423

Invalid Votes
97,279
4.12%
Spoilt Votes
6,753

Provision Total Votes Cast
2,358,702

Third round of results:

Percentage
Abed Bwanika
[PDP]

10,401
0.67%
Besigye Kizza Kifefe
[FDC]

344,730
22.29%
Beti Olive Namisango Kamya
[UFA]

9,440
0.61%
Bidandi Ssali Jaberi
[PPP]

6,671
0.43%
Mao Norbert
[DP]

21,181
1.37%
Olara Otunnu
[UPC]

34,887
2.26%
Samuel Lubega Walter Mukaaku
Independent

7,263
0.47%
Yoweri K Museveni
[NRM]

1,111,794
71.90%
Provisional Total Valid Votes Cast

1,546,367

Invalid Votes

69,992
3.90%
Spoilt Votes

4,485

Provision Total Votes Cast

1,616,359
vvvvv

***

Newly elected Member of Parliament for Mbale Municipality Jack Wamanga Wamai (FDC) has promised to attract investors to Mbale district.

In the neighboring West Budama counties, Fox Odoi is leading with a big margin while Emmanuel Otaala is trailing according to provisional results early Saturday.

“My task now is to continue with my programmes for the district,which include cleaning up the town,lobbying for more services like health and income generating activities,” said Wamai shortly after he was declared winner of the municipality Parliamentary seat by the Mbale district Returning officer,Umar Kiyimba.

Wamai polled 13096 votes ( 55.5%),followed by NRM's Dr. James Shinyabulo Mutende,who polled 6882 votes (29.20%).Others are Mayumba Justine Busiima who got 107, (0.45%),Simba Elisha 103 (0.44%),Richard Masaba Wamalia 3241 (13.75%.)

Report by Prossy Nandudu in Mbale.

****

Initial reports from Otuke county indicate that minister Omara Atubo is trailing according to provisional results.

MPs
Daniel Omara Atubo(NRM) 38.74%
Dr. Ogwal Jacinto (UPC) 61.06%

***

Foreign affairs minister Sam Kutesa has been declared winner in Mawogola county.

***
Controversial Budadiri West MP Nandali Mafabi Nathan is well ahead in preliminary results.

** (Details on www.elections2011.co.ug).

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February 21st, 2011, 10:03 PM

Post election situation: Normalcy returns, but security deployment still on
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http://www.monitor.co.ug/image/view/-/1112138/highRes/239166/-/maxw/600/-/10jp6soz/-/latest002pix.png
Military Police patrol Kampala streets Monday Feb, 21, 2011 after Presidential elections conducted on Friday Feb. 18. Photo by Stephen Wandera

By Monitor Team (email the author)
Posted Monday, February 21 2011 at 18:02
With the presidential and parliamentary elections now history, business and life in major towns around the country is normalising although a heavy troop presence is still visible in Kampala both during and after dark.

A few days to the polls, scores of people left Kampala for the country side; some to vote and others out of fear in case the elections turned violent.
The city was left to police and military officers walking around town in single file and it looked deserted, and quiet.

An occasional car would once in a while speed on the deserted roads, as tree branches rhymed with the sweeping wind.
In Mbarara, Boda Boda’s, the common means of transport were scarce and the few shops that opened didn’t have basic items as suppliers had not shown up.

“There have not been any supplies of bread until today,” said a businesswoman. “There was only one truck of bread in town that people struggled to get.”
In Jinja businessman M.S Patel, out of fear of possible election violence, directed his shop attendants not to open the outlets until it was clear how events were going to turn out.

“We did not want to risk our workers (mostly Indian nationals) and merchandise,” he said.
But a day after declaration of the new President-elect by the Electoral Commission, people are slowly returning to the daily hustle.

Taxis are ferrying people to work, banks are giving money across the counter, and shops, and eating places in most major towns are in business, again. However, Mr Ogule Obbo, a Boda Boda cyclist in Kampala says although life seems to be normal, the business is yet to yield.
“Look at that road,” he says pointing at Jinja Road round about. “On a normal day it is clogged with cars, but on a Monday it is that dry.”

In Mbale, heavily armed military, police remained deployed on the streets and in the villages scaring off a number of people.
“Although we have returned to our businesses, we can’t go beyond 6.00pm as armed military men tell us to close and go home.

“This means that main bars, disco halls and hotels are not working normally at all,” said Mr. Ezekiel Namawodya, a local businessman at Mbale main market.

In Arua, business is continuing amid increased prices with a single tomato going for shs200.
In Gulu, the Indian shops are reopening, and business is gradually picking up.

u.g boy

February 24th, 2011, 12:34 AM

Why city mayoral race is a do-or-die for both NRM and the opposition
Wednesday, 23rd February, 2011
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http://www.newvision.co.ug/NP/1298484485zulu.jpg
A view of Kampala city
By Moses Mulondo

FOR the first time in history, the Kampala mayoral election was yesterday cancelled following reports of irregularities in the voting process and violence between supporters of the leading two contenders – Peter Ssematimba and Erias Lukwago.

The Electoral Commission (EC) said there were cases of ballot stuffing in some polling stations and connivance by some polling officials with candidates’ agents to breach election procedures.

A new date for the election shall be communicated in due course, Joseph Biribonwa, the commission’s deputy chairperson, said in a statement.

While the Kampala mayoral post shall mainly be ceremonial, controlling the city makes a big political statement. As such, the position is a do or die for both the opposition and the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).

Acceptance by the EC that some polling agents connived with candidates’ agents to breach the election procedures seems to support this point.

Why a do or die?

With the NRM gaining ground across the country and Kampala, it is imperative that it controls the city to drive its point home.

Since coming to power in 1986, Kampala area, especially the mayorship, has always been won by the opposition, or rather the Democratic Party (DP).

But with NRM improving its performance in Kampala in last week’s presidential elections from 38.6% in 2006 to 46.08% and wresting away Makindye East and Kampala Central parliamentary seats from the opposition, it has gained the impetus to take the mayoral slot as well from the opposition. Nakawa Division was the only constituency in Kampala with an NRM member of parliament, Freddie Ruhindi.

The project to take the city from the opposition started way back in 1998 with the initiation of various strategies. According to insiders within the NRM, the ruling party has been having a lot of optimism that with a strong candidate in the name of Ssematimba, this time Kampala mayorship would fall in the hands of the yellow party. Having won the Rubaga Division chairmanship, Ssematimba was regarded the most suitable candidate since he was a down to earth man and close to the Buganda kingdom.

For the opposition, having lost the presidency, analysts believe they are determined to do whatever it takes to retain the mayoral position. In the same breath, the NRM wants to do everything it takes to show its popularity in Kampala has increased by taking the mayoral slot. With Kampala gone, DP or the opposition will have almost no strong foothold in Buganda anymore.

DP planning to field Lukwago for president in 2016

With the DP presidential flag-bearer, Norbert Mao, performing dismally in the presidential elections, most DP members see Lukwago as a suitable replacement.

Lukwago’s fortunes have been further bolstered by the fact that the big wigs in Mao’s DP faction, including the secretary general, Mathias Nsubuga, vice-president John Kawanga, party spokesperson Kenneth Kakande and legal adviser Mukasa Mbidde all lost their parliamentary bid, while those under Suubi that supported Lukwago won.

With Kizza Besigye, the Forum for Democratic Change leader, having had his last unsuccessful shot at the presidency, DP and other opposition strategists are planning to field Lukwago for presidency in the 2016 elections and serving as Kampala mayor is seen as a good stepping stone.

Speaking during Lukwago’s rally at Kamwokya recently, DP Makerere University LC5 councillor Bernard Luyiga appealed to the residents to vote Lukwago as Kampala mayor to increase his chances of winning the presidency in 2016.

“We kindly ask you to overwhelmingly vote for Lukwago. We are preparing him for a greater national responsibility in 2016,” Luyiga said.

As if to supplement on what Luyiga had said, former Inter-party Cooperation spokesperson Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, who won the Kyadondo East parliamentary seat, said the opposition fraternity has a lot of hope in Lukwago.

“When you assume the mayorship of Kampala, which is Uganda’s capital city, it becomes very easy for you to assume the presidency. That is why Museveni feels pained to see his NRM mayoral candidates failing to win the Kampala mayoral contest,” Ssemujju said.

For now, the battle for the Kampala mayoral seat seems to be a two-man race between Ssematimba and Lukwago. Until the EC and the Police investigations are complete, it is difficult to pin-point who was responsible for ballot stuffing at Bat Valley and National Theatre polling stations. It could have been done by over-zealous agents of the candidate in whose favour the ballots were ticked, but it could have also been done by the opposition who are bent on doing everything to try to discredit the electoral process.

EC to issue new rules for city poll
Thursday, 24th February, 2011
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By Mary Karugaba

THE Electoral Commission (EC) will set up new guidelines for the Kampala mayoral race.

EC deputy chairman Joseph Biribonwa told New Vision yesterday the Commission is scheduled to meet today and come up with guidelines on whether the candidates should continue with the campaigns or not.

The commission on Wednesday postponed the Kampala mayoral and councillors’ elections after violence broke out in several parts of the city amid allegations of vote rigging and ballot stuffing.

According to EC, the polls were cancelled due to failure by polling officials to observe opening procedures, ballot stuffing and connivance by some polling agents to breach procedures. Another polling date is yet to be announced.

The EC spokesperson, Willy Ochola, said the date will be set after Police investigations, adding that campaigns should not be held until the commission sets up a campaign plan.

This was after some of the candidates vowed to continue with campaigns until a new poll date is set. One of the candidates, Erias Lukwago, was yesterday scheduled to address a campaign rally in Katwe, a Kampala suburb.

Ochola declined to comment on the fate of the polling officials who were involved in the malpractice, saying the Police was still conducting investigations.

u.g boy

February 28th, 2011, 10:03 PM

Who is best for Kampala divisions?
Monday, 28th February, 2011
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By JOSHUA KATO

AS elections for division chairpersons and councillors kick off, the stakes are high in the city divisions. This is because according to the new Kampala City Plan, the divisions will be receiving funding from the Central Government.

Previously, they got their funding through the district (City Hall).

The divisions will also have powers to decide on how they spend their funds. Previously, divisions had to get approval from the council to carry out certain projects, including tendering for projects that were over sh50m. With this new independence, the stakes are certainly higher.

The city is made up of five divisions of Kawempe, Rubaga, Nakawa, Kampala Central and Makindye. Each of these elects a division chairperson. Each division will also elect a councillor who will sit in the council. On average, every division council has got at least 40 councillors, representing parishes, youth, women and the disabled.

According to the Electoral Commission (EC) records, there are 33 candidates standing for the five division seats and 526 candidates for the about 200 directly elected councillor seats.

Opposition dominated
Of the five city divisions, only two are led by the NRM. Kawempe, Nakawa, and Makindye are led by members from the opposition. This dominance is also eminent in the various councils.

Salim Uhuru, the Kisenyi I councillor and candidate for the NRM, said the opposition dominance is not only unique to the councils but cuts across.

However, he said with more mobilisation, NRM could make gains such as the recapturing of the Kampala Central parliamentary seat.

The recently concluded LC5 elections proved to be very ‘fatal’ for incumbent local leaders since only 12 returned. The same wave is likely to sweep through the lower local council governments.

Kampala Central
It is currently held by NRM`s Godfrey Nyakana. Nyakana defeated DP candidate Charles Sserunjogi in 2006 to claim the seat. Both men are back in the race. There was an example of what is likely to happen when they met during the flopped mayoral elections last week. The two heckled each other just like in 2006, when they were involved in personal fights throughout the voting day.

However, the NRM must be buoyed by the fact that the Kampala Central MP seat was won by an NRM candidate.
The other contestants like Wilberforce Kyambadde (FDC), Mohamed Kibedi Nsegumire (Ind) and Moses Kiyingi Bosa are already in the shadows of the two leading ‘elephants’.

At the end, Nyakana will perform well in areas like Kololo and Kisenyi, while Sserunjogi will sweep the market areas and Kamwokya. Generally, however, the race is too close to call but Sserunjogi might just sneak in.

Kawempe Division
The division is currently in the hands of Nasser Takuba who is not standing again after being defeated in the DP party primaries.

However, the fact that there are four opposition candidates gives an NRM candidate a chance to capture the seat for the first time in over 15 years. Before Takuba, who has held the seat for two terms, it was in the hands of current Kawempe South MP Ssebuliba Mutumba.
Of the four opposition candidates, there are three strong ones. These are Daniel Ssali Konkomebi, the DP candidate, Hajji Mubarak Munyagwa, who is standing on the Social Democratic Party (SDP) ticket and Emmanuel Sserunjogi (ind).

The three opposition candidates are tussling it out with the single NRM candidate Mohamed Ssemanda Nsanja. There is also another opposition candidate Abdallah Kizza Mpiima (FDC) who will further curtail the opposition` vote count.

The absence of an incumbent leaves this race open for anyone to take. However, Munyagwa, Ssemanda and Sserunjogi all stand a chance.

Nakawa Division
Just like in Kawempe, this division has also been in the hands of the opposition for over 15 years. For the last two terms, it has been in the hands of DP’s Protazio Kintu.

Although Kintu is standing again, he is facing three strong fellow opposition candidates and two other ‘weak’ ones in Hajji Amis Bireke, a former councillor at City Council and Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga. The other opposition candidates are Mohamed Bomboka Nsiko (FPU) and Steven Osako (FDC).

This gives the sole NRM candidate Ben Kalumba Ssebuliba a big chance to claim the seat. Overall, both Kintu and Bireke have a chance. However, NRM`s Kalumba might take it owing to the divided opposition.

Makindye Division
This has been an opposition strong hold for many years. At the moment, it is in the hands of Moses Kalungi, a DP leaning independent. Before Kalungi, Deo Kijjambu of DP held the seat.

Kalungi is standing again. He is facing DP`s Deo Kijjambu and Suubi`s Marvin Ssentongo.
In this race too, there is a rare candidate in Dr. Ian Clarke, the proprietor of International Hospital Kampala, who is standing as an independent. The NRM has got Rashid Biruma.

In Makindye, the seat will go either way. However, while Kalungi may enjoy the benefit of incumbency, he lacks the necessary ‘network’ having fallen out with most of the DP mobilisers. Deo Kijjambu, the former chairman, has the backing of DP too. With such a big line up of candidates, Dr Ian Clarke has a big chance of pulling it off since he is drawing supporters from both the opposition and the NRM.

Rubaga Division
This is traditionally a DP strong-hold, save for Peter Ssematimba`s brief capture of the seat two years ago. There are eight candidates tussling it out for the post. The absence of the incumbent means that the seat is for any one`s taking.

The ‘crowd’ of candidates vying for the seat include Joyce Ssebugwawo (FDC), Sulaiman Ssendi (NRM), Charles Mulindwa (DP) and Richard Miiro (CP). Indepedents include Peter Ssenyumba Kibedi who came from Samuel Lubega`s DP faction, Wilson Kabugo, Rose Andersen and Oscar Mbazira. The race is, however, between Ssebugwawo, Charles Mulindwa and NRM`s Ssendi.

Given the fact that the division was once held by a woman, Ssebugwawo has a chance now.

u.g boy

March 1st, 2011, 10:05 PM

Kampala mayoral polls for March 14
Tuesday, 1st March, 2011
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By Henry Sekanjako
and Henry Mukasa

ELECTIONS to choose the mayor of Kampala will be repeated on March 14, the Electoral Commission (EC) announced yesterday.

The EC boss, Eng. Badru Kiggundu, also announced that elections for municipality, city division chairpersons and councillors would be conducted across the country today between 7:00am and 5:00pm.

The election of the Kampala mayor flopped last week when violence broke out after reports that voting started before the prescribed time and that there had been ballot stuffing. Consequently, the EC canceled the elections.

Addressing journalists at the EC headquarters in Kampala yesterday, Kiggundu said mayoral candidates and Kampala City Council councillors should not commence campaigns until their programmes were harmonised by the Kampala returning officer.

“Anything that you do will be illegal,” he warned.
Kiggundu said the commission had taken all measures to ensure that the repeated elections are free from any kind of violence and malpractice.

“I want to appeal to candidates and all stakeholders to cooperate with us for peaceful elections. We have done everything possible to avoid a repeat of what occurred during last week’s elections,” Kiggundu, who was flanked by the Inspector General of Police Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura, said.

The EC boss disclosed that the commission had sacked the electoral officials who were arrested after being implicated in last week’s botched polls.
He said while the commission had not yet received sh2b needed for the repeat of the mayoral elections, he was confident that the Government would not let him down.

Commenting on today’s elections of chairpersons and councillors for the 22 municipalities and five city divisions, Kiggundu warned that any polling station that opens before 7:00am would be cancelled.

Kiggundu urged polling officials, candidates’ agents and voters to strictly adhere to procedures for opening polling stations.

He asked political parties’ agents to escort the voting materials from their respective district returning officers or division headquarters to polling stations as a measure of ensuring transparency.

Kiggundu said ballot papers for municipality/city division elections would bear full names of each candidate in alphabetical order, coloured photograph of each candidate and the party or independent candidates’ symbol. He said they would also bear the space where the voter will tick or place a thumbprint as a mark of choice.

Kiggundu said candidates’ agents should not be obstructed from sitting near the presiding officer and using registers to cross-check voters’ identities at the polling stations.

The commission has also chosen March 8 - 10 for convening regional meetings for election of regional youth representatives to Parliament.

The northern region centre for the electoral college will be Arua district, while that of central region will convene in Masaka district.

Eastern region delegates will meet in Soroti, whereas western region will convene in Kabarole district.

Kiggundu added that election for the female youth MP would be between March 11-14 and delegates of the National Youth Council would convene for that purpose in Jinja district.

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March 16th, 2011, 10:33 PM

How Erias Lukwago won Kampala vote
Tuesday, 15th March, 2011
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http://www.newvision.co.ug/NP/1300218403zulu.jpg
By Francis Kagolo
and Patrick Ogwang

INDEPENDENT candidate Erias Lukwago has been elected the mayor of Kampala city. Lukwago won the hotly contested election held on Monday after beating NRM’s contender Peter Ssematimba by 110,310 votes.

Lukwago garnered 229,325 votes (64.41%), while Ssematimba got 119,015 (33.43%) in a race that attracted other four candidates.

The returning officer, Molly Mutazindwa, announced the results at about 5:20am yesterday after a night-long tallying exercise at the UMA Conference Hall in Lugogo.

“The victory is for the people of Kampala and the rest of Uganda. I am going to work for a fundamental change in the city,” Lukwago pledged after he was announced winner.

Another candidate, Michael Mabikke of the Social Democratic Party, came third with 4,092 votes (1.15%). He was followed by Francis Babu, an independent who got 2,059 votes (0.58%).

Sandra Katebalirwe Ngabo, an independent and Emmanuel Tumusiime of the Forum for Integrity in Leadership managed 1,035 votes (0.29%) and 539 votes (0.15%) respectively.

Lukwago becomes the 15th mayor of Kampala since the 1950s. He takes over from Nasser Sebaggala, who joined the ruling NRM party from the Democratic Party.

During the campaigns, Lukwago cast himself as an anti-corruption crusader and a supporter of the less privileged in the city.

Lukwago takes the reins of a city beset by garbage, congestion, poor drainage, a poor road network, traffic jams, corruption and other daunting challenges.

Although he appeared on the ballot as an independent candidate, Lukwago is a Democratic Party member.

He was endorsed by the Suubi group, which has strong links to the Mengo establishment, and the Forum for Democratic Change of former presidential candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye.

The first election of the Kampala mayor was cancelled on February 23 when violence broke out after reports that voting had started before the prescribed time and that there had been ballot stuffing and rigging.

On Monday, the EC chairman, Eng. Badru Kiggundu, his deputy Joseph Biribonwa and secretary Sam Rwakoojo, witnessed the entire tallying exercise amid tight security mounted by the Police.

Kiggundu said the exercise was free and fair and commended his team for “work well done.”

Lukwago and his team, which included his lawyer, Medard Sseggona, FDC vice-president Salaamu Musumba and MP-elect for Kyadondo East Ibrahim Nganda, celebrated inside the hall as supporters cheered outside.

Lukwago beat his opponents in all the five divisions, including polling stations where his opponents voted from. In Kampala Central, Lukwago got 22,312 votes, while Sematimba polled 14,152. In Nakawa, Lukwago got 34,762 compared to Sematimba’s 21,737.

In Rubaga Division, where Ssematimba is the LC3 chairman, Lukwago got 62,791 votes, while Sematimba had 30,115.

In Kawempe, Lukwago scored 50,694 votes, Ssematimba got 24,094, while Mabikke got 775.
Lukwago also beat his opponents in Makindye Division, where he got 58,766 votes as Ssematimba took 28,906.

Save for Ngabo, no other candidate was at the tally centre as the results were being announced.
Ngabo described the exercise as free and fair and said: “Lukwago’s win was inevitable.”

Sseggona asked Ssematimba to join Lukwago to improve the city. He also advised Lukwago to unite the people of Kampala so as to spur development.

How the mayor will operate in the city
Tuesday, 15th March, 2011
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By VISION REPORTER

UNDER the recently enacted Kampala Capital City Act (2009), the city has special status under the direct control by the Central Government.

Power from the mayor’s office is being shifted to an executive director who has already been appointed by the President.

This means that Kampala’s next Lord mayor will be a ceremonial figurehead and the person actually wielding the power will be the executive director.

This change is intended to streamline the status of Kampala as the capital city of Uganda and spell out its administration to ease service delivery and address the appalling conditions of its infrastructure.

Under this law, a new post of Lord Mayor replaced the title Mayor, which was relinquished to city division heads. The divisions were elevated to municipality status.

The same law replaced the position of city town clerk with a new post of executive director who will be appointed by the President in consultation with the Public Service Commission. The position of town clerk is reserved for city divisions.

The law also provides that the President may appoint a cabinet minister, a state minister or both to oversee Kampala. The city divisions, now municipalities, will become autonomous administrative units.

They shall have more powers with their directly-elected mayors and councils, separate town clerks and resident district commissioners as is the case in other districts.

Most of the responsibilities over public works such as roads, drainage and street lights are under the municipalities.

Other than the political and administrative capital, there shall be the Kampala Capital City Authority.

This shall be in charge of planning for Kampala and the surrounding areas of Wakiso district, Entebbe Municipality, Kira and Nansana Town Councils, Kyengera Town board and Makindye Ssaabagabo sub-county.

How the city mayoral seat was won
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SEEKING ADVICE: Lukwago (L) in talks with Besigye (R) and Suubi’s Mulwanyamuli Ssemwogerere.

By Gerald Bareebe (email the author)

Posted Wednesday, March 16 2011 at 00:00
Kampala

Mr Erias Lukwago yesterday became Kampala’s first Lord Mayor after emerging winner of the hotly contested city mayoral election. He polled 229,325 of the total ballots cast, trouncing NRM flag bearer Peter Sematimba, who came second with 119,015 votes.

Other candidates in the race included Mr Michael Mabikke (SDP), Emmanuel Tumusiime (FIL), and Sandra Ngabo (Ind.). While the Mayor-elect and his supporters are in a jubilant mood, developments from State House seem to give the impression that the seat will not attract the clout it once commanded.

Under the newly enacted Kampala Capital City Act (2010), a law through which the central government has created a city authority run by an appointed administrator, Mr Lukwago’s role will mainly be ceremonial though retaining powers to preside over the city council.

Nonetheless, even without the clout, the signal sent was that the city, which is the defacto headaquarters of the opposition, is far from the ruling party’s control, if the results are anything to go by.

Before the ballot was cast, political analysts had predicted a stiff competition between Lukwago and Sematimba subsequent to the ruling party’s improved performance in the presidential and parliamentary election in Kampala. However, Lukwago whitewashed Sematimba in all the district’s five divisions. But nothing came to Lukwago’s way easily. His win followed a myriad of tactics and alliances.

Besigye meeting
For instance, last month’s strategic National Executive Committee meeting of the opposition Forum for Democratic Change was instantaneously convened by Dr Kizza Besigye with an aim of coming up with a joint candidate for the city mayoral elections. In the meeting, Michael Mabikke was advised to pull out of the race in favour of Lukwago and in return be sent to the East African Legislative Assembly in Arusha, Tanzania.

When this position was communicated to Mabikke, the Makindye East law maker turned down the offer, accusing Besigye of breaching the IPC principles and pulled his party, the Social Democratic Party, out of the coalition.

As Mabikke turned lukewarm towards the IPC, Dr Besigye, who had earlier been quoted in the media expressing his support for Lukwago, proposed that FDC deploys all its manpower in Kampala to protect Lukwago’s votes.

His decision was quickly supported by senior party members, including Sam Njuba, Salaam Musumba, Joyce Ssebugwawo and Yusuf Nsibambi. This followed their conclusion that opposition’s internal weaknesses had aided the NRM to carry out widespread ballot box stuffing, ghost voting and intimidation in the February 28 presidential poll.

“We had to act otherwise NRM was determined to rig us out of Kampala,” said Ms Salaamu Musumba, the FDC deputy president, who by 5am on Monday had already stationed herself at the four Mbuya-Military Barracks polling stations, where she caused the arrest of an army officer who tried to vote twice.

Sympathise
According to Mr Wafula Oguttu, the FDC spokesman, the party had earlier on resolved to sympathise with Lukwago but officially support Mabikke.
But when the latter showed hostility towards them, they decided to support Lukwago.

At personal level, Mr Lukwago held a series of meetings with Besigye over the poll and, according to Mr Ssemuju Nganda, the IPC spokesman, the FDC leader made various contributions to Lukwago’s campaign, including offering two of his vehicles and a campaign public address system.

In one of the meetings, Lukwago asked Besigye to help him deploy manpower at all polling stations in the city to ensure that ballot boxes arrive at the voting stations with no ballot papers stuffed in there. Subsequently, Conservative Party president John Ken Lukyamuza called a meeting of IPC leaders’ summit, the highest decision making organ of the coalition, which also resolved to support Lukwago. This drove most of the opposition supporters towards Lukwago.

With FDC and Suubi’s support, Mr Lukwago assembled a team of opposition vigilantes to guard his votes. This is how the NRM’s strategy to rig Kampala mayoral elections was busted on February 23 which eventually led to the calling off the exercise.

Two days to Monday’s election, Lukwago’s group held two meetings in Kampala to plan vote monitoring. They divided Kampala into 15 sub-divisions each headed by two senior opposition officials.

Mr Ssemuju Nganda (Nakawa), Jack Sabiiti (Kisaasi), Medard Ssegona (Kampala Central), Wafula Oguttu (Ntinda), Salaam Musumba (Mbuya) Charles Sserujogi (Old Kampala), Anita Amongi (Kyambogo), Micheal Kabaziguruka (Luzira) and Betty Nambooze (Rubaga).

Others were Sarah Kanyike and Hussein Kyanjo (both Makindye), Moses Kasibante and Matthias Mpuga (Rubaga area 11). The Suubi group, a Buganda Kingdom-leaning pressure group, gave Lukwago’s candidature a significant backing.

Most Baganda remain passionately attached to their kingdom and it’s likely that they voted for Lukwago because he has been at the forefront of defending the interests of the kingdom. Although the Kampala mayoral position will be ceremonial, controlling the city remains one of the biggest political statements for any political group to score.