Category: Politics

Museveni blames land killings on Britain

President Museveni has castigated the British colonial masters for messing up the local land ownership system in Buganda which has become a cause of persistent murders and suffering in the region.

“Our former colonial masters, Britain are the source of this land problem in Buganda region, including some few in areas like Ankole and other parts of the country. We fought hard to defeat a selfish group to have the new land laws in place but still our people are having problems because of this land system,” Mr Museveni told mourners at Kitebele village on Wednesday.

He was speaking to residents of Mawala-Kitebere village, Kanyanda Parish in Makulubita Sub-county in Luweero District on Thursday after laying a wreath on the grave of the late Samuel Babumba Majyambere who was recently killed over a land dispute.

Majyambere provided shelter to National Resistance Army rebels during the Bush War.

The President praised the fallen veteran for both material support and hard work when he offered more than 50 bicycles to the NRA guerillas at the first camp at his home in Kitebele in 1981.

Mr Museveni appealed to all stakeholders to find a solution to the land disputes.

“People continue to disregard the land laws yet we have RDCs and other government officials supposed to monitor these events. This must come to an end,” Mr Museveni added.

He urged Ugandans to use the law to solve land wrangles and avoid taking the law into their hands.

“We don’t want this kind of indiscipline. MPs should be hard on these people while revising the laws on murder and rape so that they are dealt with and stopped. Killing somebody because of land issues is not accepted. You people are supposed to solve it using the law. I have come here as a sign of respect to the late Majyambere who did something for the country,” Mr Museveni said.

While responding to an earlier call by the Rev Abel Kigozi of Kalasa Church of Uganda who said more than three people have been murdered in Makulubita within three months over similar disputes without arrest of the killers, the President was disturbed that police and courts take long to act.

“My prayer is that these Members of Parliament you recently elected help me in amending and streamlining the current laws to have a better Uganda. The army has ways of responding to issues regarding murder. We clear these issues quickly. You cannot kill and ask for bail in the army..,” Museveni said.

The suspect told police after arrest that he killed Majyambere because he had provoked him and claimed that he was known to the President and Gen Salim Saleh.

April 23, 2016
Sepp Blatter ‘offered Fifa role to Burundi president’

Fifa ex-president Sepp Blatter says he was asked by the Swiss authorities to help ease Burundi’s political crisis by offering the country’s president a job.

In a new book, Mr Blatter says he offered keen football fan Pierre Nkurunziza an ambassadorial role in exchange for the leader stepping down.

Mr Nkurunziza declined and won a controversial third term in office.

The Swiss foreign ministry confirmed it sought Mr Blatter’s help but denied seeking Mr Nkurunziza’s resignation.

“The intention was to contribute to a peaceful solution in order to prevent the current crisis in Burundi,” a statement said.

The approach to Mr Nkurunziza took place in May last year, shortly after the protests began against his attempt to win another term.

The Burundian leader is known for his love of football – he owns his own side, Hallelujah FC, and once coached a Burundian first division team.

In his book, Mr Blatter is quoted as saying: “I proposed to the president… if it could be an advantage for him or his country, Fifa could deploy him as an ambassador for football in Africa, or the world.”

But Mr Nkurunziza said no and was instead re-elected in a poll boycotted by the main opposition parties, who saw the bid as illegal.

Months of unrest have followed, with more than 400 people killed and tens of thousands fleeing the country.

Mr Nkurunziza’s office told the BBC the Burundian president had been approached by Mr Blatter, and that the then-Fifa chief was being used by powerful Western nations, without naming them.

Mr Blatter resigned as boss of football’s world governing body Fifa last year with the organisation mired in corruption allegations.

He has since been given a six-year ban from football by Fifa for ethics violations.

Timeline: Chaos in Burundi

April 2015: Protests erupt after President Pierre Nkurunziza announces he will seek a third term in office.

May 2015: Constitutional court backs Mr Nkurunziza’s bid. Tens of thousands flee as demonstrations continue.

May 2015: Army officers launch a coup attempt, which fails.

July 2015: Elections are held, with Mr Nkurunziza re-elected. The polls are disputed, with opposition leader Agathon Rwasa describing them as “a joke”.

December 2015: 87 people killed on one day as soldiers respond to an attack on military sites in Bujumbura.

January 2016: Allegations emerge of mass graves and gang-rapes by Burundian security forces

April 2016: The UN approves a resolution paving the way for a UN police force to be deployed in Burundi.

April 22, 2016
Obama: ‘EU makes Britain even greater’

Landing in London for three-day visit, US president urges voters not to back Brexit in June 23 referendum.

US President Barack Obama has arrived in the United Kingdom for a three-day visit to make an appeal for Britain to stay in the EU.

In an op-ed published by the Daily Telegraph shortly after his arrival in the British capital on Thursday, Obama said being inside the EU magnifies Britain’s influence across the world.

“As citizens of the United Kingdom take stock of their relationship with the EU, you should be proud that the EU has helped spread British values and practices – democracy, the rule of law, open markets – across the continent and to its periphery,” he said.

In his article, Obama argued that the UK had benefitted from being inside the EU in terms of jobs, trade, financial growth and security.

“This kind of cooperation – from intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism to forging agreements to create jobs and economic growth – will be far more effective if it extends across Europe. Now is a time for friends and allies to stick together,” he wrote.

Obama’s intervention ahead of the forthcoming EU referendum on June 23 was welcomed by supporters of the “Remain” campaign but those who want to leave the EU accused the American president of hypocrisy.

Tory MP Iain Duncan Smith, who campaigns for the UK to leave the EU, accused the Obama of double standards.

“He is asking the British people to accept a situation that he patently would not recommend to the American population,” he said. “I can imagine no circumstances under which he would lobby for the US Supreme Court to be bound by the judgments of a foreign court.”

London Mayor and Brexit campaigner Boris Johnson also criticised Obama’s involvement in the debate. Writing in the Sun, he claimed that Obama’s view was “a breathtaking example of the principle do-as-I-say-but-not-as-I-do”.

However, in his article titled “As your friend, let me say that the EU makes Britain even greater”, Obama acknowledged that “ultimately, the question of whether or not the UK remains a part of the EU is a matter for British voters to decide for yourselves”.

But he also said: “…the outcome of your decision is a matter of deep interest to the United States”.

German Chancellor Angel Merkel, French President Francois Hollande and several Commonwealth leaders have already spoken out against Brexit. During his state visit last year, China’s President Xi Jinping also said Beijing wanted the UK to remain in the EU.

During his official visit to the UK Obama will have lunch with Queen Elizabeth in Windsor Castle on Friday. He will have dinner with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the same day and he will speak at a news conference with Prime Minister David Cameron.

April 22, 2016
US vows to deter any Iran aggression on Gulf states

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April 22, 2016
Uganda:EU slams EC in final elections report

The head of the European Union Election Observation Mission to Uganda, Mr Eduard Kukan, yesterday expressed disappointment with the Electoral Commission for snubbing a meeting to discuss the conduct of just concluded polls.

Speaking yesterday at the presentation of the Mission’s final report on the disputed February 18 polls, Mr Kukan said they still consider “Uganda as a serious partner.”

“We have been very disappointed by the Electoral Commission. We asked for audience with them, and they told us they were not available,” Mr Kukan told Daily Monitor on the sidelines of the function, also attended by envoys from the EU Delegation and US Ambassador Deborah Malac.

“But we insisted to meet even [junior] deputy commissioners to share with them our findings in good faith. Instead, they gave us an appointment next week well aware our flight back is tonight,” he said.

Electoral Commission spokesperson Jotham Taremwa, however, denied the claim, saying the EU team requested for a meeting and EC agreed to the request.

“We had scheduled to meet with them on April 26 and we were told they will have travelled then,” Mr Taremwa noted.
The 42-page report is a detailed account of the preliminary findings of the Mission issued on the eve of the elections results announcement on February 20.

The report indicates that the February 2016 polls took place in a challenging political environment and offers several recommendations to better subsequent polls.

“EC lacked independence and transparency whereupon the elections fell short of international standards … state actors were instrumental in creating an intimidating atmosphere for both voters and candidates, and police used excessive force against the Opposition, media and the general public, justifying it as a “preventive measure”.

April 22, 2016
Chadian President Deby wins fifth term, opposition cry foul

Deby took more than 60 per cent of the vote in the first round of presidential polls.

Chad’s veteran leader Idriss Deby has won a fifth term in office, the national electoral commission announced Thursday, extending his 26 years in power, as the opposition alleged widespread fraud.

Taking more than 60 per cent of the vote in the first round of presidential polls, Deby came far ahead of main opposition leader Saleh Kebzabo, who won just over 12 per cent but said the vote was rigged.

We “don’t recognise the outcome of this electoral stick-up”, a group of opposition politicians including Kebzabo said, alleging ballot-stuffing and the buying-up of voter cards.

“Hundreds of ballot boxes have disappeared,” the group said, adding that soldiers who had intended to vote against Deby had also “disappeared”, alleging they had likely been “arrested and imprisoned”.

African Union observers last week declared the elections free and fair.

The organisation’s rotating presidency is currently held by Deby.

On Thursday, supporters from Deby’s Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS) party celebrated by firing guns and automatic rifles into the air in the capital’s vast Nation square.

During the day, ahead of the results announcement, there was a strong military presence on the streets of the capital.

More than six million people had been asked to choose between 13 presidential hopefuls in the vote, with turnout pegged at more than 71 per cent.

During the polls there was an online blackout with the Internet cut and mobile phones unable to send messages.

A camera crew for French-language broadcaster TV5 that had been covering scuffles between soldiers and young opposition activists over alleged ballot box stuffing had their camera roughly taken away by security forces and the footage erased.

Earlier this month, four civil society leaders were handed four-month suspended sentences for urging anti-government protests ahead of the vote.

The government had banned demonstrations after protests erupted in February over the gang rape of a teenage girl blamed on the sons of top figures in Deby’s regime.

Four days after the ban, a student was killed and five wounded when police opened fire to break up a protest at Faya Largeau in the north.

Deby’s election also came as staff at several hospitals, schools and universities were on strike over weeks of wage arrears.

Under Deby — who took power in a military coup — once unstable Chad has become both an oil producer and a key player in the fight against jihadist groups on the rampage in West Africa.

But despite a wealth of new oil resources since 2003, half of the population of 13 million lives below the poverty line and seven out of 10 people cannot read or write.

April 22, 2016
A frail Fidel Castro bids farewell in ‘last speech’

Ex-Cuban leader speaks of death in farewell speech to Communist Party congress and calls for preserving party ideals.

Fidel Castro, Cuba’s longtime former president, has delivered a farewell speech to the Communist party Congress in the capital, Havana, and called for safeguarding communist ideals.

The leader of the 1959 revolution, which overthrew the US-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista, emerged from seclusion on Tuesday to muse about death and provide encouragement to his followers in a rare speech.

“Soon I will be 90 years old,” he said. “Soon I will be like all the rest. Everybody’s turn comes,” Castro, whose birthday is August 13, told 1,300 party activists gathered at a Havana convention centre where he delivered countless, hours-long speeches during his rule.

Castro held power for nearly five decades before ill health led him to make way for his brother Raul Castro, 84, in 2006.

“Perhaps this will be one of the last times I speak in this room,” said Castro, sporting a blue tracksuit jacket, glasses and wispy gray beard.

“The ideas of Cuban Communists will remain,” he said, “as proof that on this planet, if you work hard and with dignity, you can produce the material and cultural goods human beings need.”

Cries of “Fidel, Fidel” once again rang out as the now frail former leader made his most extensive public appearance in years, speaking with a strong, if slightly hoarse voice.

“We must tell our brothers in Latin America and the world that the Cuban people will be victorious.”

But the twice-a-decade Communist Party congress proved a disappointment to many residents, especially the youth, re-electing an aging leadership and proposing little new to tackle the country’s economic problems.

As well as being the president, Raul Castro, 84, is also the party’s first secretary – a position considered at least as powerful as the presidency even after he is presumably replaced by a younger president in 2018.

The Cuban president indicated that he may also step down before the next congress in 2021.

As with other stage-managed appearances in recent years Castro was not shown standing, but he looked healthier than he did for a long time after a serious illness that led him to relinquish power 10 years ago.

The congress reviewed difficulties the party faces implementing market reforms, maintaining its leadership over an increasingly diverse and informed population and dampening expectations raised by detente with the United States and President Barack Obama’s visit to the country last month.

The visit provoked Castro earlier to charge Obama was sweet-talking Cubans and had nothing to offer them, a view repeated by various delegates at the congress.

Fidel Castro took power in a 1959 revolution and led the country until 2006, when he fell ill. He now lives in relative seclusion but occasionally writes opinion pieces or appears meeting with visiting dignitaries.

April 21, 2016
Uganda:Rights violation: Besigye turns to external help

The Opposition is considering involving the international legal mechanisms to stop what they describe as repression and human rights violations by government.

Former Forum for Democratic change (FDC) presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye told the media at his Kasangati home, outside Kampala following his arrest and what he described as torture on Tuesday, that the state agents were operating with impunity which must be stopped.

“This criminality, we are definitely going to continue to challenge it in all ways. We intend to engage the local remedies here not so that they can save us from it because we know they won’t but we want to start a process now seeking international remedies,” Dr Besigye said.

Kabale incident

Dr Besigye, who narrated their journey to and from Kabale District, explained that Police was acting with impunity by brutally arresting them, destroying their vehicles, disrupting their business and taking them against their will. He said such violations will be presented to the local institutions not with the hope of them acting but to register their failure to do so.

In order to seek international help, Dr Besigye said they will have to show that the local remedies have been fully exhausted. For example, Dr Besigye said he had written to the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) when Police incarcerated him in his home but nothing has been done. The UHRC is constitutionally charged with overseeing and protecting human rights in the country.

However, Dr Besigye continued with the message he used throughout the presidential campaigns of rallying Ugandans to what he calls liberating themselves, arguing that they (Ugandans) are the final authority.

“Over and beyond that we know that we have a rogue regime in Uganda which has no legitimacy and that the way to get rid of it is not going to happen through whether international appeal or what appeal. It is going to happen by our own actions, the actions of Ugandans. They are the actions of the citizens that will end this.”

Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, who was arrested together with Dr Besigye in Kabale, said the crimes committed against them tantamount to those against humanity.

“We have made that resolve to deal with this impunity; it is now going beyond condemnation; it is time for action against impunity, otherwise we shall find ourselves in a situation which will be dire and we might not extricate ourselves from as a nation,” Mr Lukwago said.

Government responds

However, Col (rtd) Shaban Bantariza, the deputy executive director of the Uganda Media Centre, laughed off such attempts by the Opposition.

“They (Opposition) are lying, the international community they are talking about has no structures. They are brewing a storm in a tea cup but even if they wanted to go there, they would have to go through the United Nations Security Council which deals with governments. As long as they have plans to cause an insurrection, they have to be prepared for those inconveniences,” Col Bantariza said.

April 21, 2016
Kenya:Make room for more women and marginalised groups, Uhuru urges counties

The national government, the Head of State said, has conformed to the rule.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged county governments to do more in ensuring women and other marginalised groups get full representation.

Mr Kenyatta underscored the need for women to be in leadership positions to conform to the two-thirds gender rule.

The national government, the Head of State said, has conformed to the rule.

“Of the 1,450 ward members of county assemblies across the country, [there are] 1,370 men (95 per cent) and 80 women.

We had to add 572 women from party lists to ensure compliance with the two-thirds gender rule. Representatives of other groups brought the total of MCAs to 2,222.

“Lest we forget, Kenyans did not elect a single woman governor, and, of the members of the county executive committees, slightly more than two-thirds are men.

“We need to be frank. All of us need to do more to make room for women in leadership,” he said in a speech read on his behalf by Devolution Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri.

DEVOLUTION A SUCCESS

He said his administration has played its part in making devolution a success in the country.

This is through giving money and expert staff and close consultations with counties.

“But we must be frank, the county governments must work with us if devolution is to succeed. And we must be even franker, corruption, waste, mismanagement and infighting are direct threats to the viability of devolution,” he said.

The president noted with concern that counties will have some of the “fiercest political contests” as the country approaches the next elections.

Governors and those seeking elective positions, he said, should promote and preach peace.

“I want to make myself perfectly clear, my deputy and I swore that never again would another Kenyan lose his life or his property in the heat of political contest.

“That is our pledge to Kenyans, and especially to those who have suffered in the past.

“It is your duty to join us in keeping the peace. Let Kenyans choose their leaders without strife, without hatred, or anger. Let us choose our leaders in peace,” the President said.

April 21, 2016
Frontrunners Trump and Clinton win New York primaries

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump move a step closer to securing the Democratic and Republican tickets for US president.

Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, the Republican and Democratic party frontrunners for US presidential nominations, have won their respective primaries in New York state.

Trump easily won his nominating contest on Tuesday, moving closer to capturing enough delegates to clinch the nomination and avoid a contested convention in July.

The billionaire’s big victory in his home state gave him renewed momentum in the Republican race and pushed him closer to the 1,237 delegates he needs to win the nomination.

Clinton also won in New York, which she once represented in the US Senate, blunting the momentum of rival Bernie Sanders and taking a big step towards wrapping up the nomination.

The victories for Trump and Clinton, in one of the biggest state nominating contests so far, set both up for strong performances next Tuesday, when they are expected to do well in five other Northeastern state primaries.

Trump won in the state where he was born and where the flamboyant mogul built much of his property and entertainment empire. With 90 percent of votes counted, he had 60 per cent.

“We are really, really rocking, and we expect we are going to have an amazing number of weeks,” the candidate, flanked by his family, told supporters at his opulent Trump Tower building, announcing imminent travel to some of the five states holding primaries on April 26.
Divisive and dangerous

Ohio Governor John Kasich was a distant second to Trump at 25 per cent, with US Senator Ted Cruz of Texas at 15 percent.

Trump’s final margin of victory will be decisive in the number of delegates he claims. A total of 95 Republican delegates are at stake in New York.

The victory boosts Trump’s delegate lead against Cruz, his nearest rival, who has fared far better in more conservative Southern and rural states.

Clinton’s victory over rival Bernie Sanders halts momentum that had gathered around the campaign of the senator from Vermont, who won eight of the nine primaries before New York.

Clinton had 57.5 per cent of the vote to 42.5 per cent for Sanders with 90 per cent counted, meaning the former secretary of state will claim a sizable majority of the 291 Democratic delegates at stake in New York.

“Tonight the race for Democratic nomination is in the home stretch, and victory is in sight,” Clinton told cheering supporters in New York’s Brooklyn area.

“It’s humbling that you trust me with the awesome responsibility that awaits our next president.”

She accused both Trump and Cruz by name of “pushing a vision for America that is divisive and frankly dangerous”.

She reached out to Sanders supporters: “There is much more that unites us than divides us.”

Like Trump, both Clinton and Sanders have close ties to New York. Before the primary all three had emphasized their familiarity with the state: Sanders and Trump were born in New York City, and New Yorkers twice elected Clinton to the US Senate.

April 20, 2016