IGIHE

Tag: GreatLakesNews

  • 10 EA militaries team up to form regional force

    {A joint force of 10 Eastern Africa countries is now fully fledged, setting the pace for the creation of a unified continental military force, Kenya Defence Forces chief Samson Mwathethe said yesterday.}

    The countries have also established a peace fund that so far has nearly Sh100 million, excluding the total amounts pledged by member States.

    The money is to be used for military operations and supporting interventions.

    “It is the first regional force on standby. A peace fund was also established and operationalized. It now has Sh97,624,100,” he said.

    The other four regional forces in Africa are at various stages of becoming fully fledged.

    The military forces were established by economic blocs on the continent – Ecowas, Eccas, Sadc and Narc.

    The East Africa Standby Force (EASF) is made up of soldiers from Kenya, Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda.

    Mr Mwathethe spoke at the farewell ceremony for EASF Director Issimail Chanfi at the International Peace Support Centre in Karen, Nairobi.

    Member countries hold the position on a rotational basis and the new director is from Djibouti.

    Danish Ambassador to Kenya Mette Knudsens said EASF would help in sustaining peace in the region.

    “Denmark is very proud for being engaged with EASF and IPSTC. These institutions are very important players in this region. They are demonstrating that Africa has important tools for peace and security,” she said.

    EASF troops are currently serving in Somalia under the African Union Mission in Somalia as well as the United Nations missions in Darfur and South Sudan.

    The EASF secretariat is located in Karen, Nairobi, while the logistics headquarters are in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

    The desire to have a common defence force in Africa was initially mooted in 2002 during the inaugural AU summit in Durban, South Africa.

    The continent’s leaders wanted to no longer depend on countries outside Africa in solving problems that threaten security among member States.

    Kenyan soldiers in Kulbiyow, Somalia, on February 6, 2017.

    Source:Daily Nation

  • Ugandan businessman shot dead by suspected South Sudanese rebels

    {Police are investigating circumstances under which a Ugandan businessman was shot dead by suspected South Sudanese rebels on April 10, 2017.}

    Micheal Odiya, 20 and resident of Potika Parish in Agoro Sub-county, Lamwo District was reportedly shot several times at about 9pm on the fateful day in a rebel held Ayaci County in Imatong state.

    Violence erupted in Imatong state on Monday following an offensive the government backed forces Sudan People’s Liberation Army [SPLA] launched against various militias in Pajok and Ayaci forcing over 4,000 refugees into Lamwo District in Northern Uganda.

    The LCIII Chairperson Agoro Sub-county, Mr Denis Onyon told this reporter on Wednesday that they received reports indicating that the deceased entered an ambush while riding a motorcycle back to his home in Palwa village.

    “We are uncertain of the people who killed Odiya but we were told by South Sudanese security officials that unknown rebels shot him many times. We received the information yesterday [March 11] morning,” Mr Onyon said.

    He added that the Odiya’s body was handed over to Ugandan authorities by the SPLA soldiers on Tuesday evening after heated negotiations between local leaders in Agoro and those in Ayaci County.

    “The SPLA soldiers never wanted to bring his body home, they instead wanted us (leaders and the relatives) to go up to Ayaci but we refused because of the insecurity there,” Mr Onyon explained.

    He asked Ugandan businessmen still operating in the war torn South Sudan to return home and urged the government to intervene and provide safety for those trapped so that they make it safe home.

    There are fears by Ugandan authorities that several other businessmen were killed in the ongoing renewed violence that erupted last week in Africa’s youngest nation.

    The Lamwo District LCV Chairperson Mr John Ogwok, when contacted on telephone interview said he was aware of the tragic incident but noted that the district security teams were investigating the actual cause of Odiya’s death.

    “We don’t want to speculate the conditions of Ugandans in Imatong state at the moment. We however believe that those killed could be more than one, but already our security teams are liaising with those in Imatong state to establish facts,” Mr Ogwok said.

    Brig Micheal Kabango, fifth Infantry division commander when contacted said he wasn’t aware of the killing of Odiya but promised to investigate and share his findings.

    {{Ugandans warned}}

    Last year, the government warned its citizens especially traders to be cautious when travelling to South Sudan saying the country was still volatile following the July war that broke out in Juba city.

    By the time of filing this story, funeral services for the deceased were ongoing at his ancestral home in Potika parish, Agoro Sub County.

    {{Recent killings of Ugandans}}

    In May last year, three Ugandan traders were shot dead by suspected rebels between Aruu Junction and Magwi town in Eastern Equatoria state, 25 kilometers from Nimule town.

    An April same year, unknown gunmen shot dead Musa Bunya, a truck driver and injured his turn man Jackson Kiyaga between Tseretenya and Ikotos town in South Sudan’s Imatong State, 20 kilometers from Ugandan-South Sudan border.

    Source:Daily Monitor

  • Kenya:ODM aspirants gear up for tough battle as party primaries kick off

    {Do or die political contests are expected as ODM kicks off party primaries Thursday with fierce competition for gubernatorial seats in at least eight counties.}

    The nominations begin in Busia County where incumbent Governor Sospeter Ojaamong is fighting for his survival against outgoing Funyula MP Paul Otuoma.

    Campaigns in Busia have been marred with violence as the two fight it out in a race focused on the governor’s performance for the last four years.

    Busia, Kisumu, Nairobi, Homa Bay, Siaya and Migori are marked political hotspots in these nominations, especially in areas perceived to be ODM zones.

    Already, the party has directly nominated 16 people according to the list presented to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) after other aspirants failed to show up to challenge them in the nominations.

    {{Field candidates }}

    The 16 include governors James Ongwae (Kisii), Hassan Joho (Mombasa), Amason Kingi (Kilifi), Josephat Nanok (Turkana), Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega) and Evans Kidero (Nairobi).

    The party will field candidates in 26 out of the 47 counties in the coming elections.

    “We are prepared to ensure a credible exercise. We were ready to proceed from last week but had to change because the IEBC insisted we follow their timelines,” said ODM National Elections Board chairperson Judy Pareno.

    Ms Pareno said the party had made proper preparations for the primaries though there were complaints in other quarters.

    “As the National Elections Board, we are determined to improve where we may have gone wrong in the past for the betterment of our party and the integrity of the process,” she said.

    The party will take eight days conducting primaries in about 30 counties around the country for various positions including county assembly seats.

    {{Anticipated primaries }}

    “It is with this background that the National Elections Board wishes to announce that the much anticipated party primaries will officially kick off tomorrow (today) as earlier scheduled. The exercise will be held in Busia, Bungoma and Machakos counties on day one,” said Ms Pareno.

    A duel is expected in Homa Bay County between Governor Cyprian Awiti and outgoing Kasipul MP Oyugi Magwanga. Former National Intelligence Service finance director Sammy Wakiaga, city based logistics expert Enosh Bollo and Cosmas Kanyadudi are also eying the same seat.

    In Migori the battle is expected between the incumbent governor, Mr Okoth Obado, and former Cabinet minister Ochilo Ayacko.The two have two other challengers, Anne Anyanga and Paul Odola, seeking to eclipse them in the nominations.

    In Siaya, Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo is mounting the biggest battle to oust incumbent, Mr Cornel Rasanga, who is believed to be a close ally of nominated MP Oburu Oginga.

    {{Backing Gumbo }}

    The race has split the Odinga family with Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo backing Mr Gumbo while Dr Oburu has stuck with the incumbent.

    The Kisumu race is expected to generate a spectacular contest as it may be listed as a career killed if outgoing senator Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o’s bid for governorship fails or if incumbent Jack Ranguma’s fight to defend the seat aborts.

    Mr Hezron Mackobewa, Aomo Nyangara, Gordon Okumu and Christopher Ondiek are also in the race.

    Unlike in Kisii, in Nyamira County there is no free ride for the incumbent. Governor John Nyagarama and former assistant minister James Gesami are battling for the control of devolution billions at the county. Mr John Aboko is also in pursuit of the same seat.

    Nothing is free in Kwale either where four aspirants, Isaah Athuman, Mohamed Mwarapayo, Sammy Ruwa and James Dena are in the race for governorship after area governor Salim Mvurya joined Jubilee.

    {{Defend Senate seat }}

    Siaya Senator James Orengo, who previously indicated he would contest for the gubernatorial race, appears to have decided to defend his Senate seat.

    But there are two opponents seeking to halt is lengthy political career: Margaret Aketch and Clement Argwings Kodhek.

    In Kisumu, Nyando MP Fred Outa is fighting for the senate seat with Israel Kodiaga, James Ogoda, Rose Omondi and Tom Ndalo.

    Interestingly, Mr Outa is also listed as a candidate for Nyando parliamentary seat, the same as Steward Mdazayo who appears to be running for both Kilifi South seat and Kilifi county senatorial seat.

    {{Tight race }}

    In Homa Bay, Fred Rabongo, who is allied to governor Cyprian Awiti, is fighting to oust Moses Kajwang’, elected to complete his late brother Moses Kajwang’s term in 2015.

    In Migori there are 11 aspirants fighting to take over from Dr Richard Machage who decamped from ODM to DP a few months ago.

    Radio presenter Ben Oluoch Okelo, Dickson Ogola, Charles Ochieng, Michael Ogola, Eddy Gicheru, Ochieng Mbeo, John Magaiywa, Fred Ogolla, Solomon Rugaria and Maurice Obunga, Kennedy Oluoch are fighting it out for the party ticket.

    In Kakamega, the race is pitting Seth Panyako against Kenneth Kochwa and Justus Wabuyabo while in Busia Amos Wako was given direct ticket to defend the seat.

    The race is tighter in the national assembly position where between three and 10 aspirants are competing in many of the constituencies.

    In Ugenya former Standard Editor David Ohito is battling against five other candidates, including businessman Christopher Karan.

    {{Unseat Kajwang
    }}

    Campaigns in Ruaraka have been bloody with nominated senator Elizabeth Ongoro fighting to unseat incumbent Tom Kajwang’.

    Mr Midiwo, who is defending his Gem seat, has four other candidates standing against him including Elisha Odhiambo, Julius Okinda, Joseph Rading and Phebeans Weya.

    In Bondo, Dr Oginga is up to reclaim his seat with the battle expected between him and incumbent Gideon Ochanda.

    Dr Oginga has dismissed claims he would be favoured over the other candidates due to his relationship with Mr Odinga.

    “I am investing everything in this race. I am competing with the others, the issue of direct ticket is nonsense,” he said.

    {{Joined Jubilee }}

    Former ombudsman Otiende Amolo is up to grab the vacant Rarieda slot after Mr Gumbo chose to contest the governorship.

    Incumbent Ken Mirenga is battling for his survival against seven other candidates, including businessman Richard Ogendo.

    In Kabondo Kasipul, Silvance Osele is facing opposition from seven others including Eve Obara and former MP Paddy Ahenda while in Karachuonyo 17 candidates are out to replace former MP James Rege who has decided not to contest after joining Jubilee.

    In Rongo, incumbent Dalmas Otieno Anyango is facing the stiffest competition ever with his rival Paul Abuor and former University of Nairobi student leader David Osiany on his neck.

    ODM chairman John Mbadi is equally fighting for his life in Suba where former Chief of Staff in the PM’s office Caroli Omondi has mounted a well-oiled campaign against him.

    ODM Busia elections officials prepare to dispatch materials to various polling stations in the county on April 13, 2017. Governor Sospeter Ojaamong is fighting for his survival against outgoing Funyula MP Paul Otuoma.

    Source:Daily Nation

  • DRC police arrest dozens after protest ban

    {Kinshasa – Police have detained dozens of people accused of violating a ban on protests against Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila, police said Tuesday.}

    “Police have arrested and detained 34 people in Kinshasa,” after Monday’s protests, said national police spokesperson Pierre-Rombaut Mwanamputu.

    “Some wanted to breach the ban on a march, the others were preparing acts of vandalism.”

    Late Tuesday he said all of them had been released.

    He gave no details of arrests in other parts of the vast country, where there is strong anger over Kabila remaining in office beyond the end of his mandate in December 2016.

    Human Rights Watch said in a blog that over 80 people were arrested in Kinshasa and several other towns, including Bukavu in the east and Lubumbashi in the southeast.

    The rights group told AFP that its figures include people who were arrested and subsequently released but was unable to say how many remained in detention.

    The call by DRC’s main opposition party for nationwide protests on Monday appeared to have been ignored in Kinshasa, however, where people stayed home fearing violence after the authorities banned the rallies.

    In the country’s second city, Lubumbashi, Hubert Tshisuaka, the head of a local human rights group, told AFP he had no news of six people in a group of 24 detained by police on Monday.

    In northeastern Goma, six people who tried to barricade roads were briefly detained and then freed, a local police source said.

    The opposition is seeking to pressure Kabila, who has ruled since 2001, to implement a power-sharing deal brokered by the Catholic church to avert a crisis, by holding elections late this year.

    Under the accord, Kabila agreed to share power ahead of the polls with a prime minister from the opposition.

    But last week he named as premier a dissident member of the opposition, Bruno Tshibala. The main opposition has rejected this choice as being contrary to the letter and the spirit of the power-sharing accord.

    Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila.

    Source:AFP

  • Burundi suspends activities of opposition party MSD

    {The Burundian government has suspended activities of the Movement for Solidarity and Democracy (MSD) “for announcing a plan to create a rebel group,” a senior official said Wednesday.}

    Home Affairs and Civic Education Ministry Spokesman Therence Ntahiraja said the ministry had suspended activities of the MSD for six months.

    “Offices of the party countrywide are not authorized to open during the suspension period,” Ntahiraja said.

    According to him, the MSD has been, since 2013, violating the East African country’s national constitution and the law on political parties stipulating that “no registered party is allowed to create a rebel group.”

    “Recently, we heard Alexis Sinduhije (MSD chairman) announcing on some radio stations that his party is going to set a rebel group that will combat the government until he captures the country,” Ntahiraja said.

    He added that some people who surrendered or who were arrested during or after the protests against another candidature of the Burundian president in 2015 admitted that Sinduhije had recruited them for the rebel group that would be formed outside Burundi.

    The MSD is among the country’s main opposition parties that have not so far been divided into wings.

    Its chairman Sinduhije has lived in exile since 2014 for his fierce criticisms against the Burundian government.

    In March 2014, the MSD was suspended for four months following violent clashes between the party youth and police agents at the party headquarters in the capital.

    The party was accused of “inciting party militants to acts of revolt, hatred and violence.” Enditem

    Source:News Ghana

  • Museveni meets S.Sudan First vice president, renews call for peace

    {President Museveni yesterday met South Sudan First Vice President Taban Deng Gai at Kityerera Presidential Farm in Mayuge District. }

    According to a statement the president issued on his social media platforms, the meeting centred around shared areas of transport, electricity and peace in South Sudan.

    In the statement, Mr Museveni also called on South Sudanese to denounce violence in the warring country.

    “We held a long discussion on shared areas of transport, electricity and also the subject of peace in South Sudan. I call upon all people of South Sudan to refrain from violence. The only politically viable way is peace and dialogue to achieve development,” Mr Museveni wrote.

    The meeting comes almost a week after Mr Museveni met some of South Sudan’s former political detainees led by Rebecca Nyandeng, the widow of the fallen freedom fighter Dr John Garang. After the meeting, Mr Museveni posted on his social media platforms that they discussed unitying different political groups in the world’s youngest nation.

    Mr Museveni’s senior press secretary, Mr Don Wanyama told Daily Monitor then that the meeting between Mr Museveni and the G10 members was a closed door meeting and therefore no details could be availed.

    However, media reports this week indicated that in the meeting, Mr Museveni rebuked the manner in which South Sudan’s affairs have been handled by its leadership, stressing that the country seceded from Sudan with collective support from the East African region.

    According to media reports, a source that spoke on condition of anonymity quoted the president as saying: “Meles Zinawi (late Ethiopian prime minister) , Isaias Afwerki (Eritrean president and myself, fought and shed blood in Sudan and compelled Bashir on the table to accept self-determination and independence for the people of South Sudan and now there this claim that the Dinkas liberated South Sudan. Were we also Dinkas. What about 98.9 per cent voters in the referendum who endorsed your independence and those Americans and Europeans who supported you? Were they all Dinkas?” he asked.

    Mr Museveni, in a close political ally of South Sudan President Salva Kiir. The source reportedly said the Ugandan leader was refuting a claim by a section of citizens in South Sudan, advocating views of some leaders, including President Kiir who reportedly look at him and his tribe as having played a big role in liberating South Sudan. “All of us, our people have contributed in the liberation of our country in our own different ways,” Mr Museveni is reported to have said in the meeting.

    President Museveni yesterday met South Sudan First Vice President Taban Deng Gai at Kityerera Presidential Farm in Mayuge District.

    Source:Daily Monitor

  • Kenya:10 men sentenced to death for killing Elkana Syong’oh

    {What started as an alarm by some villagers that cattle thieves had been spotted in Mwanche village in Migori County led to the lynching of three innocent men by a mob on the night of August 12, 2013.}

    And now, almost four years later, a court has ruled that 10 men who were part of the mob be sent to the hangman for murder.

    The events of that dark night claimed the lives of Elkana Gondi Syong’oh, a chief accountant in the Department of Defence, his driver Moses Magiri Amek and his farmhand Simon Gombe.

    The three were seen at 8pm that night, mistaken for cattle rustlers and beaten up before they were set ablaze in Mr Syongoh’s vehicle.

    Two were burnt beyond recognition.

    {{Brutal deaths }}

    Twelve people were arrested and charged following the attack. Two absconded trial and the rest were found to have played a role in the brutal killings.

    David Ochieng Ajwang, Nicholas Otunga Otieno, Daniel Owino Oganyo, Julius Makambo Obade, Kennedy Kisa Omweri, Julius Otieno Deya, Janes Ogalo Oketch Olendo, Joseph Odhiambo Majiwa, Joseph Keya Omweri and Paul Koi Odeko killed the three innocent men.

    Some of the suspects were found with items stolen from the slain men, according to a judgement by Justice David Majanja.

    The judgement was delivered in Migori on April 5 and published by the Kenya Law Reports on Tuesday.

    The verdict brings to a close a case that arose from the cruel killing of three innocent men, including Mr Syong’oh, an industrious farmer who had travelled to the area to buy quail.

    Justice Majanja, after considering the evidence of 23 witnesses, concluded that there was no doubt that the 10 were at the scene of the incident and that they took part in the killings.

    {{Cut hand }}

    “The savage way the accused inflicted the injuries on the deceased leave no doubt that they were inflicted with intent to cause grievous harm or death,” the judge states.

    Ajwang, for instance, was seen cutting the left hand of the driver with a panga.

    “The driver nevertheless continued driving until he stopped the car at the junction of the main road headed to Migori.

    “After the car stopped, Joseph Odhiambo began pulling the driver and passengers out of car with the help of Nicholas Otunga,” states Justice Majanja in his judgement.

    The court was told that Paul Koi was spotted by villagers tying up Mr Syongoh’s farmhand with a rope before dragging him to the scene, where the others were being beaten. The farmhand had tried to escape from the scene.

    Ajwang was also seen striking Mr Syong’oh on the back with a panga.

    {{Gruesome killings }}

    Moreover, Keya was found with two jackets stolen from the slain men days after the gruesome killings. A Chloride Exide battery that had been stolen from Mr Syong’oh’s car was also found in the home of Kennedy Kisa.

    Nerbert Lubanga, the man who had sold quail to Mr Syong’oh and his two companions before they drove off only to be accosted by villagers shortly afterwards, told the court that he had escorted the men to their car and returned home.

    Mr Lubanga testified that when he tried to go to the scene where the three had been waylaid to tell the residents that they were not thieves, he was beaten up.

    “As someone was trying to force him to sit down, another person pushed him and he fell and rolled into the nearby bushes whereupon he fled the scene,” Justice Majanja wrote of Mr Lubanga’s testimony.

    Police investigated the killings and arrested several suspects. The case opened at the High Court in Kisii before being transferred to Migori.

    Because the events happened at night, the accused argued in court that no one could recognise them and pin them down as the perpetrators.

    But Justice Majanja thought otherwise.

    “The witnesses and accused knew each other as they were from the same village. During the incident, the witnesses had the opportunity to interact with the accused closely because they knew each other,” said the judge.

    The burnt-out vehicle belonging to Department of Defence employee Elkana Syong’oh, who was killed by a mob in Migori after being mistaken for a cattle rustler. He was lynched alongside his driver and farmhand on August 13, 2013.

    Source:Daily Nation

  • Tanzania:Magistrate in court over bribe

    {A magistrate with Kyaka Primary Court in Misenyi District, Nelson Bagenda (29), yesterday morning appeared before the Bukoba Resident Magistrate’s Court for allegedly soliciting for a 20,000/- bribe.}

    A prosecutor from the Prevention and Combatting of Corruption Bureau (PCCB), Fortunatus Mpangamila, alleged before Resident Magistrate Aloys Katemana, that on November 30, 2015 the accused (Bagenda), together with second accused, Dezideri Benedict (46), a Court Assessor at Kyaka, jointly solicited for 20,000/- bribe.

    According to Mpangamila, the accused demanded and received 20,000/- from the two accused persons, who had a pending criminal case to allow them get bail. Testifying in court, Flavian Kowero, who is a Senior Official from PCCB, told the court that the matter was reported by Herman Karemire and they (PCCB) laid a trap and arrested Bagenda and Benedict.

    Both the accused pleaded not guilty to the charge and were released on a 2m/- bail with two sureties. The Criminal Case No RM CC 13/2017 was adjourned until April 18, this year, for further hearing.

    Meanwhile, Jovitha Edward (25), from Kashai Ward in Bukoba Municipality appeared before Resident Magistrate Joanitha Rwehabura, facing a charge of using abusive language to induce another male to commit sodomy.

    Prosecuting, State Attorney Emmanuel Mavere, alleged before the court that the accused committed the offence between February 27 and March 31, this year, at the Bukoba Bus Stand.

    The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge and he was released on 700,000/- bail with two sureties. Preliminary hearing is expected to start on April 13, this year

    Source:Daily News

  • Rights groups allied to Burundi Government: “No more need for EAC facilitation”

    {PISC Burundi and CAPES+ groups claim they base their conclusion on remarkable social, political and economic improvements that have already been achieved.}

    Two collectives of rights groups say inter-Burundian dialogue facilitated by EAC is no more necessary. Hamza Vénant Burikukiye and Jean Marie Nduwimana, respective legal representatives of PISC-Burundi and CAPES+, told a press conference on Tuesday that issues that called for the EAC facilitation had been resolved. For that, “there is no more need for inter-Burundian dialogue in Arusha”.

    They said the East African Community’s “effort should rather be focused on helping Burundi in bringing refugees back home and preparing the 2020 elections”.

    They also opposed the “meddling” of EAC in internal affairs of Burundi as far as amnesty for politicians wanted by the Burundi justice is concerned. “Let the question of amnesty or pardon be left to the Burundi people and to the country’s institutions in the strict respect of our independence and sovereignty”, they said.

    It was in an apparent reaction to a recent request by Benjamin W. Mkapa, the EAC Facilitator in inter-Burundian dialogue, to President Nkurunziza asking him to offer amnesty to coup plotters of 2015 and allow them to take part in dialogue to end the crisis.

    Jean Claude Karerwa Ndenzako, the President’s spokesman, said the Facilitator had asked for what Nkurunziza was not allowed to do by any law. “What the Facilitator requested is against national and international law”, he said. He explained that the President of Burundi is only allowed to pardon criminals who have been convicted of crimes. The President “would be charged with high treason” if he pardoned people who are still wanted by justice.

    He further said even the UN does not allow people who have committed such crimes as attempting to overthrow institutions to participate in dialogue. The UN says such criminals should rather be brought to justice.

    This new development escalates the divergence between the Facilitator, the Government of Burundi and its allied political parties and civil society organisations on the treatment of coup plotters.

    The government opposition to the invitation of politicians wanted by the Burundi justice resulted in the government pulling out of the fourth round of inter-Burundian dialogue convened by the Facilitator between 16 and 19 February in Arusha.

    During the dialogue session, Bujumbura asked in vain the government of Tanzania to arrest the politicians under arrest warrant.

    The ruling party and CSOs allied to the government have insisted that politicians and other wanted rights activists be brought back to Burundi to face justice. They said criminals had no ideas to build the country.

    The CSOs opposed the idea of giving immunity to those politicians because their protection would require the deployment of foreign armed forces to Burundi, an idea they and the government have always rejected adamantly.

    From left to right: Venant Hamza Burikukiye and Jean Marie Nduwimana, respective legal representatives of CAPES+ and PISC-Burundi.

    Source:IWACU

  • Uganda will not pay $10b to DRC, says Rukutana

    {It’s over a decade since the International Court of Justice slapped Uganda with a $10b bill for allegedly pillaging eastern DRC and committing crimes against humanity during the protracted insurgency in the late 1990s.}

    In 1999, then DRC president Laurent-Desire Kabila sued Uganda at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) sitting at The Hague, Netherlands.

    However, deputy attorney general, Mwesigwa Rukutana earlier today told lawmakers sitting on the legal and parliamentary affairs committee that Uganda is unlikely to pay the hefty bill.

    “This matter is still being contested and it’s really unlikely that we can pay that sort of money to DRC,” Rukutana said.

    Rukutana was part of government technocrats and top brass from ministry of justice led by justice and constitutional affairs minister, Kahinda Otafiire, meeting legislators over the ministry’s budget estimates for the next financial year.

    Rukutana was responding to queries by MPs Sam Bitangaro and shadow attorney general, Wilfred Niwagaba over government’s reluctance to settle the issue with DRC.

    In 2014, then attorney general, Peter Nyombi, led a delegation of government technocrats to South Africa which met DRC officials over the $10b bill.

    Uganda had been part of several countries that had supported Kabila’s three-year uprising that saw his forces overthrow president Mobutu Sese Seko’s government in 1997.

    However, after a fall-out between Kampala and Kinshasa, Kabila sued Uganda and the ICJ in 2005 granted its request of a $10b fine. Uganda insists the UPDF were deployed in the Congo to protect national security.

    Minister for Justice Kahinda Otafiire(R) and deputy attorney general, Mwesigwa Rukutana appearing before the legal and parliamentary affairs committee on April 11, 2017. Photo by Maria Wamala

    Source:The New Vision