Body parts used for catching fish
Several high profile ritual murder cases have either been shelved by the courts or dragged on long enough to offer suspects a window of opportunity to escape justice, The Observer has learnt.
Moses Binoga, commander of the anti-human sacrifice and trafficking task force, said in an interview on Monday that Police have successfully investigated many of the murders and files forwarded to the courts, but many of those cases have been shelved.
Once prosecution is too slow, Binoga says, a lot of things can happen. “In some of these cases witnesses die before the case is concluded, some of them change their minds and become hostile, others migrate,” he explained.
“So by the time you look for them, they are not there and cases end up failing. We are not happy about it and we have requested the Judiciary to take some of these cases as priority so that they are heard first.”
The Police have now compiled a list of “extreme cases of child abuse” that have been shelved or stalled.
http://www.observer.ug/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10611:ritual-murder-cases-hit-snag-police-lose-morale&catid=34:news&Itemid=59
Foccussing on the struggle for Human Rights, Freedom and Democracy in Uganda.
Saturday 23 October 2010
ICC and perverted justice in Africa
Last weekend, we celebrated 48 years of independence. Sadly, many Ugandans (and Africans generally) do not appreciate the political significance of this event largely because of the failures of post independence governments. The resultant frustration has given vent to sections of the international community, largely from the West, to seek to wrestle control of our affairs from African decision makers to international institutions.
Thursday 21 October 2010
Cabinet want to Remove and silence Kabaka.
Cabinet has approved a new proposed law to prohibit Kabaka Ronald Mutebi and other traditional leaders from engaging in politics. The decision was taken at a special sitting of the Cabinet chaired by President Museveni at his residence in Entebbe on Thursday.
According to a source, who attended the meeting, Cabinet unanimously approved a memorandum to table a Bill before Parliament seeking to enforce Article 246 of the Constitution that bars cultural leaders from politics.
“The Bill is ready and we unanimously concluded that never should any traditional leader participate in politics by either joining a party or taking sides,” said the source, who spoke to this newspaper on condition of anonymity because Cabinet proceedings are held in camera.
“This Bill is meant to catch one person, the Kabaka, who is the victim of this law because all other cultural leaders have not been getting involved in politics,” said the source.
Information Minister Kabakumba Masiko admitted in an interview that the Cabinet had discussed the issue but declined to offer specifics.
Information Minister Kabakumba Masiko admitted in an interview that the Cabinet had discussed the issue but declined to offer specifics.
“Yes we discussed it. We discussed the paper and approved it so the Minister responsible is supposed to give drafting instructions to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice,” she said.
Article 246(e) states that a person shall not, while remaining a tradition leader or cultural leader, join or participate in partisan politics.
According to the source, the new Bill will detail penalties for those leaders who get political, the first of which is a “constitutional adjudication of his/her throne.”
“Any traditional leader who contravenes this law will be forced to renounce his/her throne,” said the source. “And the kingdom subjects will be requested to find a new leader.”
Monday 18 October 2010
Security agencies are still bad boys.
| The usual suspects: The country’s security agencies have been accused by the 2009 human rights report of torture, among other atrocities, with only two days to The African Human Rights Day. The Uganda Human Rights Commission report, released last Friday, says in spite of the existence of various accountability mechanisms for security agencies, they have continued to use unlawful force, illegal arrests and detentions, torture, killings, cruel and inhuman degrading treatment. The public funded commission noted that on several occasions, the security agencies unlawfully used force, which included shooting with live ammunition to disperse demonstrators. “This was especially the case during the riots in September (2009), which led to the death and injuries of several people. During these riots, the Police and Army used teargas and live bullets to disperse protesters. This resulted in 26 deaths and numerous injuries, some of which could have been caused by live bullets,” the report notes. Another example cited is a Special Police Constable who shot and killed two students at a school in Nakaseke. The students were demonstrating over the quality of meals they were served. The security agencies, particularly the Rapid Response Unit of the Police, the UPDF’s Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence, and the Joint Anti-Terrorism Squad were accused of violating the right to liberty. This right, according to the Constitution, states that a person that has been arrested or detained shall be brought to court as soon as possible but in any case not later than 48 hours from the time of his or her arrest. Security bosses such as Maj Gen Kale Kayihura, the Police boss, have argued severally that the 48 hours are not enough to carry out adequate investigations. However, during his critique of the report on Friday, Justice Vincent Kibuuka Musoke noted, “the law says that arrests must be made on reasonable suspicion.” But often, the Ugandan Police arrest first and then investigate later. “This explains the high number of suspects on remand,” Kibuuka Musoke said. He gave various examples of people whose rights to liberty have been violated. One case involved a woman who was held for several months without being charged simply because she was a wife to a suspected murderer. Another was of three men in Masaka who happened to have been inside a bar when another man kicked a waitress to death. The three men spent four years in jail without any charges ever being brought against them. “The Police need to do a lot in this area. Courts now are rejecting charge and caution statements made under detention,” he said. Gov't responseThe minister of Information, Kabakumba Matsiko, said government will come up with a position this week after the report has been internalised. The same view was shared by Army Spokesman, Lt Col Felix Kulayigye, while Maj Gen Kayihura didn’t answer our repeated calls.On torture, the report says several complaints have been made about the Police, UPDF, Prisons and ISO. “Some of the extreme cases resulted in loss of life. Complaints of allegations of torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment constituted 31% of the total complaints received in 2009,” says the report. Most of the torture complaints were leveled against the Police (154), closely followed by UPDF (106). Those against RRU, the report says, more than doubled from 26 in 2008 to 55 in 2009. Complaints against ISO increased from 7 in 2008 to 11 in 2009, while those against CMI moved from 2 to 7 in 2009. Through civic education, victims are encouraged to challenge the security agencies in the UHRC tribunal. Consequently, the Attorney General’s office was ordered to pay Shs 325 million to victims of torture. The commission makes several recommendations, among them a law prohibiting torture. It also calls for compulsory human rights training for all security agencies. However, similar recommendations have been made yearly since the inception of the commission 12 years ago with little progress registered. |
http://www.observer.ug/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10562&Itemid=59
2011 Elections will be a cash race.
Big budgets are known to shape political campaigns and arguably election results – and this is not lost on the major political parties.
The Observer said that all major parties have drawn up ambitious budgets for the campaigns estimated in billions of shillings but they are still finding it difficult to raise the money.
NRM sources have told us that the party has tentatively budgeted for Shs 45 - 50 billion, the highest estimate amongst the parties. And this excludes the presidential candidate’s campaign. President Museveni’s budget is still confidential but we have been told that it is likely to be bigger than the Shs 15 billion he spent on his re-election campaign bid in 2006.
NRM sources have told us that the party has tentatively budgeted for Shs 45 - 50 billion, the highest estimate amongst the parties. And this excludes the presidential candidate’s campaign. President Museveni’s budget is still confidential but we have been told that it is likely to be bigger than the Shs 15 billion he spent on his re-election campaign bid in 2006.
23 still denied bail a year later
23 still denied bail a year later.
A year after last year’s riots in Buganda in which at least 30 people died, 23 people are still languishing in prison following a refusal by the High Court to grant them bail.
The 23, facing terrorism charges for, among other accusations, burning the Nateete Police Station, are part of the estimated 150 people who were arrested countrywide in the wake of the September 2009 riots.
The riots followed government’s directive stopping the Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, from traveling to Kayunga, which falls in his kingdom.
Most of those arrested, according to Uthman Abubaker Mulindwa, a lawyer who defended them, have been released on bail, pending prosecution.
“Lack of prosecution is attributed to the fact that the state has failed to gather incriminating evidence against them,” he told The Observer.
The 23 still awaiting release were last denied bail on September 3 when High Court judge Benjamin Kabiito ruled that they could abscond from trial if released.
Kabiito encouraged them to be patient, saying they would soon have opportunity to defend themselves in court. He, however, couldn’t tell when their trial would commence, noting that it would depend on the discretion of the High Court registrar who determines when cases are heard.
“You shouldn’t be afraid; there is no need for anxiety. That is the best way of handling this issue.
You have to be patient as of now,”they committed the offences with others still at large.
Under the Anti-Terrorism Act, any person found guilty of the offence is liable to death.
all men, were struggling to hold back tears.
To their guardians and relatives who had gathered at the court premises, the verdict ended hopes of a reunion with their dear ones.
“I need some time,” said a sobbing Nalongo Nalugo when asked for a comment. Her brother, Livingstone Jesero, is among the 23 terrorism suspects.
Nalugo attributes her brother’s arrest and continued incarceration to politics and envy among traders of Nateete market where she has a stall.
“People just came in asking for DP members and that is how he was arrested because he belongs to DP. Why did government allow political parties if they weren’t ready to tolerate divergent views?” she asked.
Before his arrest, Nalugo says, her brother had four children and a pregnant wife who has since given birth. “It is a struggle for me to look after them from my meagre earnings.”
Another relative who didn’t want to be named is worried that Jesero’s trial is not about to come. “They haven’t tried cases of 2006, how can they [look into] those of 2009?” he asked.
Sauda Namutebi, mother to Musa Ssenyondo, another suspect, wasn’t willing to discuss her son’s dilemma.
“I have always talked to journalists, but my son is still in jail; what do I gain by talking to you?” she asked.
She, however, narrated her problems, always having to travel from Butambala to Kampala each time her son appears in court.
“There was a time I came to Kampala three times a week.”
This is compounded by the fact that Ssenyondo was the breadwinner in the family.
“I am married but he was the one helping all of us,” she said.
Although Ssenyondo is comforted by her visits, Namutebi will soon stop visiting for lack of transport. On average, she spends Shs 20,000 each visit, yet she hardly earns a living.
The suspects’ lawyer, Mulindwa, laments that some of the suspects “have lost jobs or been told to stop working by their respective employers pending the decision of courts in respect of the accusations.”
He cites Evelyn Nakiryowa, Herbert Matsiko, Faruk Semakula and Phillip Mutyaba who are students and should be concentrating on their studies.
He didn’t make headway. He told The Observer last week that he couldn’t proceed with the case because another lawyer, Ladislus Rwakafuzi, had already petitioned on their behalf.
Florence Namayanja, who lost her brother, Bruno Mayanja, says they provided all the requirements, including a death certificate, but nothing has been forthcoming.
A mother of two who runs a food kiosk in Katwe, Namayanja says she is unable to look after her brother’s children because of her meagre earnings.
“Customers are not coming; we serve food and people don’t come; it is a struggle,” she said.
She, however, says Mayanja’s widow, who at the time of his death wasn’t working, now also sells food, earning Shs 1,500 a day.
Rwakafuzi told The Observer that he has sought compensation for only two people - Abdullah Byabashaija who lost his wife, Stella Kabasinguzi, and another man who lost two sons.
However, even these cases haven’t progressed fast enough.
“We are at the mercy of judges, no new appointments are being made; the only appointments being made are of those that die or retire,” he said.
A year after last year’s riots in Buganda in which at least 30 people died, 23 people are still languishing in prison following a refusal by the High Court to grant them bail.
The 23, facing terrorism charges for, among other accusations, burning the Nateete Police Station, are part of the estimated 150 people who were arrested countrywide in the wake of the September 2009 riots.
The riots followed government’s directive stopping the Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, from traveling to Kayunga, which falls in his kingdom.
Most of those arrested, according to Uthman Abubaker Mulindwa, a lawyer who defended them, have been released on bail, pending prosecution.
“Lack of prosecution is attributed to the fact that the state has failed to gather incriminating evidence against them,” he told The Observer.
The 23 still awaiting release were last denied bail on September 3 when High Court judge Benjamin Kabiito ruled that they could abscond from trial if released.
Kabiito encouraged them to be patient, saying they would soon have opportunity to defend themselves in court. He, however, couldn’t tell when their trial would commence, noting that it would depend on the discretion of the High Court registrar who determines when cases are heard.
“You shouldn’t be afraid; there is no need for anxiety. That is the best way of handling this issue.
You have to be patient as of now,”they committed the offences with others still at large.
Under the Anti-Terrorism Act, any person found guilty of the offence is liable to death.
all men, were struggling to hold back tears.
To their guardians and relatives who had gathered at the court premises, the verdict ended hopes of a reunion with their dear ones.
“I need some time,” said a sobbing Nalongo Nalugo when asked for a comment. Her brother, Livingstone Jesero, is among the 23 terrorism suspects.
Nalugo attributes her brother’s arrest and continued incarceration to politics and envy among traders of Nateete market where she has a stall.
“People just came in asking for DP members and that is how he was arrested because he belongs to DP. Why did government allow political parties if they weren’t ready to tolerate divergent views?” she asked.
Before his arrest, Nalugo says, her brother had four children and a pregnant wife who has since given birth. “It is a struggle for me to look after them from my meagre earnings.”
Another relative who didn’t want to be named is worried that Jesero’s trial is not about to come. “They haven’t tried cases of 2006, how can they [look into] those of 2009?” he asked.
Sauda Namutebi, mother to Musa Ssenyondo, another suspect, wasn’t willing to discuss her son’s dilemma.
“I have always talked to journalists, but my son is still in jail; what do I gain by talking to you?” she asked.
She, however, narrated her problems, always having to travel from Butambala to Kampala each time her son appears in court.
“There was a time I came to Kampala three times a week.”
This is compounded by the fact that Ssenyondo was the breadwinner in the family.
“I am married but he was the one helping all of us,” she said.
Although Ssenyondo is comforted by her visits, Namutebi will soon stop visiting for lack of transport. On average, she spends Shs 20,000 each visit, yet she hardly earns a living.
The suspects’ lawyer, Mulindwa, laments that some of the suspects “have lost jobs or been told to stop working by their respective employers pending the decision of courts in respect of the accusations.”
He cites Evelyn Nakiryowa, Herbert Matsiko, Faruk Semakula and Phillip Mutyaba who are students and should be concentrating on their studies.
Unending agony
For those who lost loved ones in the riots, the agony persists. Following a story in The Observer that detailed the names and pictures of the deceased see The 30 who never survived the riots, October 30, 2009, a lawyer contacted their relatives, seeking compensation from the government.He didn’t make headway. He told The Observer last week that he couldn’t proceed with the case because another lawyer, Ladislus Rwakafuzi, had already petitioned on their behalf.
Florence Namayanja, who lost her brother, Bruno Mayanja, says they provided all the requirements, including a death certificate, but nothing has been forthcoming.
A mother of two who runs a food kiosk in Katwe, Namayanja says she is unable to look after her brother’s children because of her meagre earnings.
“Customers are not coming; we serve food and people don’t come; it is a struggle,” she said.
She, however, says Mayanja’s widow, who at the time of his death wasn’t working, now also sells food, earning Shs 1,500 a day.
Rwakafuzi told The Observer that he has sought compensation for only two people - Abdullah Byabashaija who lost his wife, Stella Kabasinguzi, and another man who lost two sons.
However, even these cases haven’t progressed fast enough.
“We are at the mercy of judges, no new appointments are being made; the only appointments being made are of those that die or retire,” he said.
The 23 still in prison
- KIKULWE PAUL
- KAGGA GERALD
- SEKABIRA ROBERT
- MUSA SENGENDO
- NSUBUGA KAMADA
- LWANGA HAKIM
- MUGISHA MUZAFARU
- KIJJAMBU RICHARD
- SEKYANZI JUMA
- KIBUUKA ADAADI
- SEMAMBO SAM
- JESERO LIVINGSTONE
- NTANZI KASSIM
- BUYUNGO SADAT LUSWATA
- GAFUMBA JOHN
- ZINDA ROGERS
- KATAMBA JOSEPH
- MAGOBA SALIM
- KAKEMBO BOB (minor)
- MUJUNI ELISA
- SEKATAWA MOHAMMED
- NSUBUGA MEDDIE
- MUTYABA BASHIR
DP claims 20 political murders in Mukono
DP claims 20 political murders in Mukono.
More than 20 people have been murdered in Mukono North Constituency in the past four months with the opposition DP claiming that the spate of killings is targeting its members.
DP President General, Norbert Mao, told The Observer in a phone interview last week that the murders are politically motivated.
“These murders are intended to intimidate the electorate. During the by-election, the Residential District Commissioner of Mukono, Maj. David Matovu, clearly stated that if people vote for DP’s Betty Nambooze, the district will be unstable, which is the case now. This statement was a clear and direct threat to people’s lives,” he said.
He added that the murders are intended to punish the electorate in Mukono for rejecting NRM’s candidate, Peter Bakaluba Mukasa.
Mukasa Mbidde, the DP Legal Advisor, said the murders are conducted by professional people. Calling for an investigation, he said the victims are mainly Baganda and staunch DP supporters.
A list of the victims that DP says are its members include Reagan Amanya of Bugoba zone, Moses Lubulwa of Ntinda in Seeta, Moses Muhumuza of Baggala zone in Seeta, Sekitoleko Segawa of Namyoya in Seeta, Nsubuga ( a former worker of UMEME) and a resident of Seeta, Peter Ntetuliye and Denis Ssenkumba of Bajjo in Seeta.
Others are Segujja of Kiwanga, Fred Sebufu of Nabuta, Munana Njini of Jjogo, one Julius of Seeta, Jackson Mukwaba of Gwaffu, John Nkugwa of Kiwango-Namwezi, Amos Kawoya of Nyanja in Bukerere, Senfuma of Nasuuti in Mukono, Nalongo Najjuma of Kikooza in Mukono, Baker Ekayu (student Kyambogo University) and resident of Wantoni in Mukono, and Dickson Sentongo, a journalist with Spirit FM who was killed in Natabulirwa.
DP also names Kajubi of Nabuti in Mukono, Mustafah Ssali of Kiwanga, Senfuka of Nabuti, Elias Musanje of Kigombya in Mukono, Kasumba of Nasuuti, Babirye Nazziwa and Grace Bizibu of Butebe zone in Mukono.
In a security meeting held at Nantabulirwa village on September 22, residents accused security agents of complicity in the murders. The district Zonal Intelligence Officer, Maj. Segujja, and area MP Betty Nambooze attended the meeting.
“These cadres used to warn Dickson Sentongo that he would be killed like a simple mosquito. It is a fact that some of us heard him screaming for help that fateful night as he mentioned the names of those who murdered him,” said Sheik Ibrahim Busulwa, a resident.
The residents claimed that Sentongo’s killers wore Police and military camouflage.
More than 20 people have been murdered in Mukono North Constituency in the past four months with the opposition DP claiming that the spate of killings is targeting its members.
DP President General, Norbert Mao, told The Observer in a phone interview last week that the murders are politically motivated.
“These murders are intended to intimidate the electorate. During the by-election, the Residential District Commissioner of Mukono, Maj. David Matovu, clearly stated that if people vote for DP’s Betty Nambooze, the district will be unstable, which is the case now. This statement was a clear and direct threat to people’s lives,” he said.
He added that the murders are intended to punish the electorate in Mukono for rejecting NRM’s candidate, Peter Bakaluba Mukasa.
Mukasa Mbidde, the DP Legal Advisor, said the murders are conducted by professional people. Calling for an investigation, he said the victims are mainly Baganda and staunch DP supporters.
A list of the victims that DP says are its members include Reagan Amanya of Bugoba zone, Moses Lubulwa of Ntinda in Seeta, Moses Muhumuza of Baggala zone in Seeta, Sekitoleko Segawa of Namyoya in Seeta, Nsubuga ( a former worker of UMEME) and a resident of Seeta, Peter Ntetuliye and Denis Ssenkumba of Bajjo in Seeta.
Others are Segujja of Kiwanga, Fred Sebufu of Nabuta, Munana Njini of Jjogo, one Julius of Seeta, Jackson Mukwaba of Gwaffu, John Nkugwa of Kiwango-Namwezi, Amos Kawoya of Nyanja in Bukerere, Senfuma of Nasuuti in Mukono, Nalongo Najjuma of Kikooza in Mukono, Baker Ekayu (student Kyambogo University) and resident of Wantoni in Mukono, and Dickson Sentongo, a journalist with Spirit FM who was killed in Natabulirwa.
DP also names Kajubi of Nabuti in Mukono, Mustafah Ssali of Kiwanga, Senfuka of Nabuti, Elias Musanje of Kigombya in Mukono, Kasumba of Nasuuti, Babirye Nazziwa and Grace Bizibu of Butebe zone in Mukono.
In a security meeting held at Nantabulirwa village on September 22, residents accused security agents of complicity in the murders. The district Zonal Intelligence Officer, Maj. Segujja, and area MP Betty Nambooze attended the meeting.
“These cadres used to warn Dickson Sentongo that he would be killed like a simple mosquito. It is a fact that some of us heard him screaming for help that fateful night as he mentioned the names of those who murdered him,” said Sheik Ibrahim Busulwa, a resident.
The residents claimed that Sentongo’s killers wore Police and military camouflage.
Uganda Open Secret
Uganda Open Secret on illegal killings and Torture
Release Read the Report ISBN: 1-56432-467-2
Report Synopsis - 04/08/2009
Uganda: Charge or Release People Secretly Detained
And secretly this way violates both Uganda's own laws and its international obligations ... report released in April, " Open Secret: Illegal Detention and Torture by the Joint Anti-terrorism Task Force in Uganda ," which detailed multiple abuses by the task force, including killings ...
Uganda: Appoint Special Coroner Into Detainee Death
, Open Secret, Prison and Jail Conditions, Torture, Uganda) ... ;quot; Open Secret ," documented numerous cases of illegal detention, torture, and some extra ... in December 2009 to seek a court order for an investigation under Uganda's Inquest Act. Four months ... 
Uganda torture victims speak for out.
And You can lisen to story on Audio.
http://www.hrw.org/en/audio/2009/07/16/ugandan-torture-victims-speak-out
Release Read the Report ISBN: 1-56432-467-2
Report Synopsis - 04/08/2009
News - 07/17/2009
Uganda torture victims speak for out.
And You can lisen to story on Audio.
http://www.hrw.org/en/audio/2009/07/16/ugandan-torture-victims-speak-out
Sunday 17 October 2010
Can NRM hide the truth?Besigye on the trying moments of his trial
Besigye on the trying moments of his trial
Kampala
Kampala
Many Ugandans know him as a forceful politician. Some have even dismissed his firebrand demeanor as that of a power hungry individual intending only to dislodge President Museveni for his selfish interests.
What most Ugandans, however, do not know about opposition Forum for Democratic Change -FDC - president, Dr Kiiza Besigye is that beneath the fiery persona is a quiet, humane and contemplative individual, whose tears have rolled down his cheeks many a time when his basic human instincts have gotten the better of him.
In an exclusive interview with Sunday Monitor, the grouchy-voiced politician for the first time speaks emotionally about his most painful moments during his trial on treason and a rape case that he says “fragrantly aggressed” his moral and ethical standing.
Although describing the recent dismissal of his treason case by the Constitutional Court as a courageous move by the judges, Dr Besigye says the rape trial was very painful from different perspectives.
Although describing the recent dismissal of his treason case by the Constitutional Court as a courageous move by the judges, Dr Besigye says the rape trial was very painful from different perspectives.
Painful experience
“First of all, it was painful because my moral and ethical standing was being fragrantly aggressed when it was very clear that there was not even a slight basis for doing so and that is a source of pain to know that you are being treated in that way deliberately. It was quite painful,” he says. It was also painful to see a former National Resistance Army war veteran, Malita Namayanja, whom he said had “a parental kind of relationship” testify against him in the rape case against him in 2006.
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1034036/-/cmfj1mz/-/index.html
“First of all, it was painful because my moral and ethical standing was being fragrantly aggressed when it was very clear that there was not even a slight basis for doing so and that is a source of pain to know that you are being treated in that way deliberately. It was quite painful,” he says. It was also painful to see a former National Resistance Army war veteran, Malita Namayanja, whom he said had “a parental kind of relationship” testify against him in the rape case against him in 2006.
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1034036/-/cmfj1mz/-/index.html
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