The president of Uganda Law Society Simon Peter Kinobe has reveals that they have set up a special committee to investigate and advise on their next move against the illegal acts of Internal Security Organization (ISO) boss Colonel Bagyenda Kaka with high chances of dragging him to court.

The Internal Security Organisation (ISO) is the Uganda government’s counter intelligence agency responsible for providing national security intelligence to Uganda’s policy makers. It also engages in covert activities at the request of the President of Uganda.

 The lawyers’ next hard move on Kaka follows the illegal arrest of one of their member PM Mugisha who was illegally arrested last Monday and released on Sunday.

The Uganda Law Society president says ISO is not mandated to arrest and detain people and the lawyers say this is the work of police.

They further remind the security operatives to remember where this country has come from; adding that such acts might drag the country back in the past dark days.

This was revealed on Monday,August 5,2019  at a press conference held Kampala.

Uganda Police’s Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) detectives have started  investigating the death of musician Michael Kalinda alias Ziggy Wine,also people power supporter who was a member of the Fire Base Crew led by Bobi Wine.

Ziggy Wine went missing last month and later unknown people dropped him at Mulago Hospital causality award half-dead where he later died over the weekend.

Addressing journalists in Kampala, Police spokesperson Fred Enanga says a team of homicide detectives has started tracing the group of people who kidnapped Kalinda from Gganda in Wakiso District.

Enanga said the detectives will assess footage from the CCTV cameras at Mulago hospital for clues on who could have dropped the deceased at Mulago hospital, however, urged  the deceased’s relatives to participate in the investigations by sharing information and particulars of the people threatening them.

Following different reports on social media that the late’s left eye was plucked out, and two fingers cut, police have clarified.

‘’Postmortem was done & the cause of death, indicates blunt force trauma 2 the head. The victim had a fracture on the skull, which injured part of the brain; his right hand had cuts on 2 fingers, classified as defense injuries arising out of a struggle, both eyes were present,’’ Police.

Bobi Wine’s statement

A few weeks ago, a long time friend, musician and strong supporter of the #PeoplePower movement in Uganda was kidnapped. Kalinda Michael, mostly known by his stage name Zigy Wyne was abducted and subjected to horrendous forms of torture. His left eye was plucked out, two of his fingers cut off and parts of his body were burnt with a flat iron. He was beaten to near death, and dumped at Mulago hospital by unknown people where he spent a week before being identified by his family and friends. Last night, he was declared dead.

Since August 2018 when I was brutally arrested and tortured alongside more than 36 other Ugandan political leaders and activists, countless other Ugandans who have openly identified with the #PeoplePower movement have been kidnapped, illegally detained, tortured or murdered in cold blood. Only these past three months, there have been several attacks on many friends and comrades.

Indeed, on 14th May, 2019 Raphael Walugembe our coordinator and student of Nkozi University was shot dead in Nateete under suspicious circumstances. Around May 20th Mukisa Joshua William one of the People Power candidates in the Makerere University guild election was kidnapped, only to reappear with severe torture marks. Likewise, Ashburg Katto who also works with our media team was kidnapped only to be later dumped at a roadside.

On 22nd May, our supporter and coordinator Okot P’ Bitek Junior sustained grave injuries after being shot in Amolatar district by a UPDF solider. On May 23rd, Ssebulime Rashid, a local leader in Kawempe Division was attacked and his house set ablaze. He sustained severe injuries. On 3rd June, our strong mobiliser from Busiro North constituency, Kibalama John Bosco was abducted and to date, his whereabouts are not known.

On 4th June, another coordinator and popular artiste Lucky Bosmic Otim was severely brutalized by the police in Gulu District. On 7th June, our strong mobiliser and L.C. 5 Councillor for Buvuma district, Lukoma Stephen Ssalongo was shot dead.

These are only few of the many supporters and comrades who have been victims of targeted attacks. We have received reports of people being arrested and detained for putting on either the red beret or t-shirts branded with our symbols or slogans.

Whenever we have activities such as attending court sessions or rallies, countless young people are brutalized, arrested and illegally detained in the various cells around the country. Many have reported being beaten up from police stations and asked to denounce People Power if they want to live.

Indeed last year, a well-wisher released a video recording of police officers at Kajjansi police post beating up 30 year old Kassim Migadde as they mocked him for associating with People Power.

At the end of April this year, when I was brutally arrested and illegally placed under house arrest, many young people who came out to peacefully protest against police brutality were arrested, tortured and many are still under detention.

 It was during that time that our friend and comrade, Nalongo Nana Mwafrika was manhandled by police officers, severely tortured, culminating in losing her uterus! Earlier, Justine Ssekandi, a female artiste who composed a song in support of our movement was abducted from Kamwokya, beaten to a pulp and dropped in the mortuary thinking she was dead – she spent several hours amongst dead bodies!

Some other comrades and friends have recently died in very suspicious road accidents.

Our calls to have these matters investigated by the authorities and perpetrators brought to book never yield much. Further, we have filed several court cases about these violations including the one about the murder of my driver Yasin Kawuma, but there has not been much progress. The Uganda Human Rights Commission has equally let us down in our efforts to put an end to untold levels of torture and brutality.

Sometimes, officers handling them have disclosed that they are orders from above not to follow them up. Many colleagues including those I work with very closely have received calls from unknown people with clear threats of death, should they continue to support People Power! Only yesterday, music promoters Andrew Mukasa (Bajjo) and Abbey Musinguzi (Abtex) were violently arrested, and their music show blocked for their perceived association with me and People Power!

Kazibwe Bashir, a young journalist and leader of the journalists association, who has been outspoken against injustice and impunity is still struggling to recover after he was allegedly poisoned by unknown people.

I must add that many other people, who have been vocal in opposing President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s regime of 33 years, regardless of whether they belong to his ‘party’ or other political formations have been equally assaulted, tortured and intimidated.

Only three weeks back, former journalist and preacher, Joseph Kabuleta was abducted from a restaurant, bundled into a private vehicle and taken into a security facility where as he narrates, he was subjected to torture and intimidation.

Similarly, on 24th June, Oprah Phoebe Kiddu a youth leader in President Museveni’s NRM party was abducted by security operatives from Mengo in Kampala and subjected to gross forms of torture for over three weeks until she was dumped on the roadside on 19th July. She has stated that her captors demanded that she stops opposing Museveni’s sole candidature as well as leading a pro-democracy pressure group.

As we draw towards the 2021 elections, it is apparent that the ruling party  is determined to silence any form of dissent using extreme violence. Although they came to power castigating former presidents Milton Obote and Idi Amin of torture and extra-judicial killings of their opponents, they  seem determined to out-do their record in terms of committing unspeakable atrocities against the wanainchi.

Despite these grave and provocative violations against us and our people, we are committed to using peaceful means in our quest for political change in Uganda.

We call upon all peace loving citizens of the world to join us in condemning horrendous violations against innocent citizens in Uganda. We thank you all for your support and solidarity thus far, and continue to call upon you to support us as we struggle for a better country which respects human rights and human dignity. We can and shall achieve this, God being our help.

 For God and My Country!

 Hon. Kyagulanyi Ssentamu Robert

People Power – Uganda

Kenya – The burial turned dramatic in Godmiaha village, Rachuonyo East in Homa Bay County, Kenya, on August 3, when a 38-year-old man who was believed to have died a month ago appeared as “his funeral” was underway at his parents’ home.

Mr Kennedy Olwa disappeared from home for almost 20 years before his family heard announcements that he had died.

He had gone to Mbita Town where he became a fisherman after leaving home,but not a lost son and later relocated to Alum beach along Lake Victoria in Rachuonyo North Sub-County.

Ramba Location Chief Joseph Ndege said that the family of Mr Olwa was informed that their son had died after an illness, and they did not waste time; they immediately started making burial arrangement with another team  sent to the mortuary,confirming that the man who was brought by police was their kin.

Coincidentally, Mr Olwa (who has resurfaced) was listening to radio while fishing at Alum beach when he heard the announcement that he had died from an unknown illness which prompted him to call a relative, stopping them from making funeral arrangements but they didn’t believe that he was the one calling them.

On burial day, he physically appeared,creating drama before the family resolved to take the body they were about to bury back to the mortuary as nobody claimed it.

Western Uganda – There is a wave of Worry in Ibanda District following the death of over 200 pigs that have been reported dead after an outbreak of African swine fever.

Dr. Leonard Wamala,the District Veterinary Officer,last week revealed that the  swine  fever has killed both wild and domestic pigs in the area.

Most threatened sub counties are Nyamarebe and Ishongorero in Ibanda North and Kagongo division in Ibanda municipality in Ibanda South Constituency.

The veterinary department in Ibanda district has issued a caution that traders should not move pigs from those infected areas especially in Nyamarebe,Ishongorero and Kagongo division to pork joints in Ibanda and other districts.

Ugandan Politics/Insecurity – Michael Alinda aka Ziggy Wine,a Ugandan musician and a #PeoplePower pressure group diehard who was kidnapped a couple of weeks back,has died.

Ziggy Wine, a friend and diehard of Robert Kyagulanyi a.k.a Bobi Wine, the People Power leader and Kyadondo East legislator,was beaten, his left eye plucked out, 2 of his fingers cut off and his belongings taken,before being dumped at Mulago last week.

According to Bobi Wine on August 3 and 4 respectively,Ziggy was kidnapped a couple of weeks ago by unknown people who beat him beyond recognition, and the people power camp suspects the perpetrators to be security officers.

“My close friend and fellow artist (Ziggy Wine) was kidnapped a couple of weeks back, beaten beyond recognition, his left eye plucked out, two of his fingers cut off, all his belongings taken and dumped in Mulago Hospital and left for dead,” Bobi Wine posted on his social media platforms.

A CT scan at Mulago Hospital revealed that Ziggy was bleeding in the brain.

 “This is one of the very many saddening stories across the country sanctioned by the very people whose duty is to protect us,”Bobi Wine added, before calling on the public to keep him in their prayers.   

KAMPALA: The Chief Justice, Bart M. Katureebe, is dismayed by the acts
of hooliganism that culminated into yet another assault on a judicial
officer in the course of her duties. He described them as uncivilized,
offensive and disrespectful of the sanctity of the courts.
On Friday (August 2), a charged group of political activists overran security
at the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court, vandalizing court property,
including videoconferencing and security equipment.
They also hit Ms. Gladys Kamasanyu, a Magistrate Grade One, in the face
with a bottle, while delivering her verdict in a case of social activist, Dr.
Stella Nyanzi. The magistrate convicted Dr. Nyanzi on the offense of cyber
harassment and sentenced her to 18 months in prison.
The Chief Justice, who commended the Magistrate for remaining calm
throughout the proceedings and the assault on her, said acts of
hooliganism have no place in a civilized society.
“This kind of thing is not acceptable…we condemn this kind of
hooliganism in the strongest possible terms. We hope the culprits are quickly identified and brought to book,” he said.
“We’re working hand-in-hand with relevant authorities to ensure that
there is adequate security for all judicial officers. I have already asked the
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to raise the matters of
Courts’ security as a matter of urgency in Cabinet.”
Judiciary’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Pius Bigirimana, who was equally
concerned about the assault of a magistrate, has strongly condemned the
attack, adding that “judicial officers must be protected as they perform
their duties,” he said.

2nd August 2019.

Rise Against Poverty Organization – RAP UGANDA ‘Be Confident’ is an Organization based in western Uganda (Mbarara metropolitan), aimed at eradicating poverty,participating in all life changing activities,guidance and counselling, ensuring human rights and freedom observation/protection,Informing the public and other crucial aspects.

It was founded in 2017,still led by AARON AINOMUGISHA, a Ugandan news anchor and journalist.

Any consultation/inquiry,Call +256 754253916, 784043745. Email – aaronainomugisha7@gmail.com,

Twitter – @AaronAinomugis3

President Yoweri K Museveni’s wealth creation tour has finally come to an end after touring the entire Uganda,meeting and sensitizing people and leaders from different regions on poverty eradication.

Currently, Many Ugandans  can’t afford three meals per day, especially the youth.

Since May 2019 when the tour was launched, the president has visited sub regions of Uganda in Norther,Cenral,Eastern and Western Uganda, including Bunyoro,Tooro,Karamoja,Busoga,Greater Masaka,Ankole,Kigezi,and others, concluded the tour on Thursday August 1,2019,in Kasese Rwenzori sub region in western Uganda.

While meeting leaders from Kasese District on Thursday at Nyakasanga Playground in Kasese Municipality, he emphasized that there is no opposition or government in poverty.

‘Leaders who claim to be in the opposition can see what our people are going through and should be able to empower them with the knowledge to get them out of poverty, instead, they say they are waiting for the government in power to leave. But these are the people who elect you! some are your relatives, this is selfish.’

‘A serious person does not mix politics with the livelihood of the people, all leaders irrespective of their political inclination should go back to the people and awaken/sensitize them to kick poverty out of their homes.’

‘For instance, 70.7% of the population in this district still produce only for home consumption, this should be a concern for every leader here. Our people should be taught to engage in agricultural activities that give huge returns per piece of land used. Poultry needs small space and you earn more as opposed to if you grew maize on the same land size.’

Budget.

On Tuesday evening,21^st May 2019, Parliament approved the Shs 1trillion supplementary request with part of the money meant to cater for President Yoweri Museveni’s wealth creation tour across the country.

Documents submitted before Parliament indicated that the Ministry of Finance tabled a number of supplementary requests with one of them amounting to Shs 217 Billion of which Shs33 .283 Million was to go to State House, while classified budget accounted for Shs15.7Billion and Shs17Billionn was to  go for field operations, accommodation, feeding the team accompanying the President during the national tour on wealth creation.

Although members of the Committee agreed to have the Supplementary funding passed, Cecilia Ogwal (Dokolo Woman) and Muwanga Kivumbi (Butambala County) didn’t go without asking the Office of the President to clean up State House and resist from spoiling the name of the President with continuous supplementary funding.

The funding added on over Shs50 billion initial budget.

All invited to meet the president each got a transport refund of not less than Shs200,000 in all regions.

Main Points.

Besides meeting political leaders and other invited guests,plus launching and commission different projects in different districts, the head of state emphasized on the need for strong mechanisms on sensitizing over 45 million Ugandans to run away from poverty.

Avoid land fragmentation and selling the deceased’s land, establish a union project and share profits.

Utilize your land through relevant types of farming depending on the size.

Protect the environment.

Report corrupt officials.

Protect tourism aspects.

Put income generating activities in your families.

A Political Tour!

Despite the president maintaining his stand that this tour isn’t political, opposition political figures castigated him for wasting Ugandan resources (money) on this tour where he was endorsed in every region as 2021 sole presidential candidate.

UGANDA – Buganda road court Grade One Magistrate Gladys Kamasanyu agrees with prosecution that Makerere University researcher Dr. Stella Nyanzi’s facebook suggestions and proposals were indeed obscene and indecent and could only have been made by an immoral person with no proper moral background.

The prosecution alleges that on September 16, 2018, Nyanzi posted on her Facebook page indecent words against the president and his late mother Esteeri Kokundeka.

According to the state, the said posts were intended to disturb their peace and right to privacy.

She has been on remand since November 2018.

Stella was today afternoon Thursday August 1, 2019 found guilty of cyber harassment charges as there is overwhelming evidence of her photo, profession, phone number, bio data from MUK and email address which was used to open the facebook account, that is not capable of being hacked into, and it’s the same that posted the obscene messages coupled with her silence in defence which pointed to a guilty mind.

But she is acquitted of the offence of Offensive communication because prosecution didn’t bring the complainant in this case.

Prosecution’s Janat Kitimbo wants a jail sentence for Stella which is not more than 3 years, much as there is also a fine of Shs1,440,000 million.

Dr. Stella Nyanzi returns to court tomorrow 2^nd August for sentence at 3 pm, she has however asked Magistrate Kamasanyu to avail her a typed copy of proceedings and judgment because she intends to appeal to a higher court.

Nyanzi also in reaction to the court’s decision said she is not ashamed of having been found guilty of being immoral because the battle she is fighting is not a legal battle but a political battle.

The son of al-Qaeda founder Osama Bin Laden, Hamza, has died, according to US intelligence officials.

Details of Hamza Bin Laden’s place or date of death remain unclear in the anonymously-sourced reports.In February, the US government offered $1m for information leading to his whereabouts.

Hamza Bin Laden, thought to be aged about 30, had released audio and video messages calling for attacks on the US and other countries.

The reports were first carried by NBC and the New York Times.