The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi, the National Unity Platform presidential candidate says that he is in talks with the United States Government over human rights abuses by the military in Uganda.
He revealed this while addressing his supporters at a campaign rally in Kitgum municipality on Saturday. Kyagulanyi who didn’t reveal his level of engagement with the US said Ugandan citizens continue to face brutality at the hands of the military.
His remarks come just two days after the US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo issued a statement indicating that the US is closely paying attention to the actions of some individuals seeking to impede the democratic processes in Uganda ahead of the 2021 general elections.
Earlier, Eliot L Engel, the chairperson of the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs wrote to Pompeo and the Secretary US Department of Treasury Steven T. Mnuchin calling for sanctions on key Uganda military and police officers.
He particularly singled out the commander of Land Forces, Lt Gen Peter Elwelu, Commander of the Special Forces Command (SFC) Maj Gen James Birungi, former SFC commander and incoming commander of Ugandan troops in Somali Maj. Gen Don William Nabasa and Maj Gen Abel Kandiho, the Chief of Military Intelligence.
Others are the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Maj Gen Steven Sabiiti Muzeeyi, Commissioner of Police Frank Mwesigwa and the police director of Crime Intelligence, Col Chris Serunjogi Ddamulira.
More than 50 people were killed last month by security forces while quelling protests resulting from the arrest of Kyagulanyi. According to Kyagulanyi, other opposition presidential candidates are also facing similar brutalizing and interference of their campaigns by security forces.
He cites his encounter in Lira district on Friday where the police held him and his team for several hours at one spot before towing him out to Pader district.
The Ugandan government hasn’t come out to formally respond on Pompeo’s statements. However, during the national thanksgiving prayers, President Yoweri Museveni said the country’s election won’t be disrupted by foreign influencers.
“Our elections will be peaceful; Nobody is going to disrupt us. I have heard people here playing games with foreigners backing them. Well, I wish them luck. But I can assure you, we shall not tolerate violence, we shall have peaceful elections,” he said.
Kyagulanyi has previously rallied the US government to suspend their donation to the Ugandan Military. While seeking treatment in the US in September 2018 following his alleged torture by the military in Arua Municipality, Kyagulanyi met a top US Congressman, Bradley Sherman and highlighted what he described as the human rights violations and repression of freedoms by the Ugandan government.
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But US has a lot in its own store and wardrobe to deal with. I believe homegrown solutions to our problems are better than a local leader seeking foreign intrusion.
Isn’t this the behaviour of a puppet ruler in the making?
Aren’t we witnessing the creation of an actual dictator through cult of personality?
These are valid concerns based on observation of current events and post-colonial history, not questions to be shrugged off as baseless attacks.
Ignorance of fiscal policy can possibly be advised away, but ignorance of neocolonialism?
Even the most illiterate of inmates can understand these basic concepts and will tell you… no matter how stressful things get, never accept “free cigarettes” because they will come to your bed at night asking for “payment” for those cigarettes and from there onwards you just become “their person” …because of “free cigarettes”.
Hasn’t he already taken “free cigarettes”?
Even young children know… never accept sweets from strangers.
It seems he still has very many things to learn.
Nothing for nothing.
When they come to collect, they will not be interested in Busabala beach.
It is us who will lose what we hold dear as Ugandans, whether it’s sovereignty or natural resources or something else.
Ugandans brace yourselves for a second colonisation. Neocolinsation so to speak, judging from the dealings of Kyagulanyi with some of these groups. What surprises me with these so called sanctions by USA is the partiality with which it is being applied. There are so many governments that US related with very closely even at a personal level of current and former heads of state. In some of these countries, the state has presided over the most brutal assassinations and torture of its political opponents to the tune of hundreds if not thousands, human right organisations, citizens and families of the murdered have cried themselves hoarse for help, but US continues to turn a blind ear to these cries. Now, it wakes up and sanctions security officers some of whom were simply bringing order to the country by reigning in on robbers, arsonists, burglars, rapists, racists, etc. Is it fair??
The Rasta man Bobi is really “playing with Fire” (US) like a moth attracted by the Bright light of a candle flame….until it gets to the real fire that mesmerized it from a distance & by then it’s too late.
The Moth is Now in the Fire. It gets instantly burnt/Destroyed.
Does Kyagulanyi foolishly believe US can “penalise” President Museveni after the War on/of terror he has fought & continues to fight for the Americans in Somalia….?
Who does Kyagulanyi think is Mostly facilitating AMISON (Uganda’s presence in Somalia) ?
It’s America, Not AFRICA!!!
This is an “American war” Uganda is fighting for the US.
Yes, Peace in the Horn of Africa is also any neighbouring country’s business, a country like Kenya but why do the Kenyans always consult Museveni about issues in Somalia, the pirates who used to terrorise the indian ocean trade there?
Recently why was the Ethiopian delegation here as they faced instability/war back home ?
These Delegations come to President Museveni because whether you like him, whether you Hate him….he’s doing a Great Job for the American government (US foreign policy) in Somalia…..
Bobi Wine has very personal issues with Museveni, just like Besigye. that’s why these 2 politicians go to extremes of attacking Museveni’s family (his Wife, his Son, Daughter in Law_Mohoozi’s Wife etc).
If you have a problem with some one, Why Must you then attack his wife?
You Attack your male enemy directly.
His wife you are attacking shouldn’t be brought in your wars/quarrels with each other.
Do it “Man to Man”, but attacking his wife is a sign of weakness. You are trying psychological antics instead of going directly for the “knock out” to your enemy.
Behind the scenes, these Americans are just laughing at Bobi Wine.
Why ?
Because he’s Not even a soldier. No experience in war, Nothing.
These foreign Powers “Talk business mostly the Military way”; for them a Military approach is always what defines their absolute Power over the rest of the world.
So they can Not instead intimidate the Military man (Museveni) who is doing a Great job for them militarily in the Horn of Africa.
It’s the same way America can Not “suffocate” Israel’s ever “extreme Military/Espionage approach” in firmly dealing with Iran’s dangerous Nuclear program.
While this is Israel’s own threat back home, it’s also a threat to America. So Israel keeps fighting Iran’s Nuclear threat not just for itself but also for the Americans.
So can America ever be Israel’s Enemy ? Never!
It’s the same way America can Not be Museveni’s enemy because he’s fighting America’s war on terror in Somalia which is by the way a “very known harbour for Al-Qaida” (Osama Bin Laden used to use Somalia as one of his “Command Posts”)_
So President Museveni is indirectly partly fighting Al_Qaida for the Americans….
Which other credible Military president around here is doing what Museveni is doing in Somalia?
I don’t hear about Kagame’s military presence there (because Rwanda is also a military Power to reckon with in this part of Africa, and remember Kagame is a “Former NRA Warrior”.)
Bobi Wine is like a young child who is bullied by his older brother or sister and then this bullied young kid runs to his Dad or Mum…and the Dad/Mum shouts at the Older bullies….”You Stop bullying your young brother/sister. I will beat you”….(But actually the parent Never beats the Bullying older kids. The parent just shouts that way to show this young bullied kid that his/her issue is now sorted, but is it really sorted ? No. Momentarily yes, but what if tomorrow the young chap is bullied again. Will he keep running to daddy or mummy to report?; he may do so until he just gets tired of reporting, then just gets used to the “treatment” from his older brother/sister until the Bullying Nolonger bothers him. He grows up. He becomes stronger. )
Those who where bullied in school can remember that eventually, even if you are physically/emotionally bruised, you eventually harden!!!
Bobi Wine will come out of this a very Strong man mentally, psychologically or even physically.
He may later look back to these painful experiences amd realize how Nothing/No one can ever break him down mentally/psychologically.
(Not that am happy for the pain he goes through, but it’s really the same way life’s painful experiences generally make us stronger. We harden out of all the pain/suffering)
https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/13/ugandas-young-voters-are-hungry-for-change-bobi-wine-museveni
Just check out at this link how Kyagulanyi’s photo has been “Doctored” by that facebook app which changes facial features.
So Bobie looks like a very aged man.
Does he foolishly think the experts can Not see the “Sympathy antics” he’s Now playing for his “Western world handlers”….
Bobie wine is clearly loosing it because such tricks are Not being done without his Approval…
Mbu he’s like the Uganda Martyrs who laid down their life for Christianity.
So this Rasta man wants to die for Uganda’s socalled young generation ?
It’s good he was still in his mother’s Womb when Museveni was taking power in 1986….?
So,
Let’s see how Bobi Measures up to the FRONASA Saviours who “cleared the way for an Unborn Bobie” at that time…..
Yes, the current regime may have its weakenesses (but is there any Government upon the Earth which is very perfect to the dot….),
Why Don’t these young Greedy opportunists for once mention some Strengths by this current Government….
Why do they mostly capitalise on the weaknesses ?