KAMPALA Woman MP Nabilah Sempala yesterday gave Parliament an emotional account of her arrest by the Police at Owino Market on June 10. The Police had accused her of holding an illegal rally.
“I was merely guiding the people of Owino Market on how to have their views heard in Parliament through suggestion boxes that I had provided in all the markets in the city,” she told the attentive Parliament.
“Surprisingly, I was almost stripped naked by uniformed Police officers led by the officer in charge of the New Taxi Park Police post, AIP Babigamba.”
Nabilah said she was hit several times as the Police officers forced her to sit on the floor of the Police Post in the market.
“It was at this moment that I was shoved forcefully and in the process, a metallic case tore through my blouse and cut me in the back. I could see the excited Police officers’ faces gleefully executing humiliating acts on my person as if they enjoyed every minute of the action.”
At this juncture, the MP, overcome by emotion, broke down, bowed her head and sobbed. After two minutes, she recomposed and struggled through the statement as both NRM and opposition MPs shouted: “Shame on the Police.”
The legislator denied that she had hit a Police officer with a microphone.
Waving a DVD, she said she had a recording of the episode and could project it to the House if permitted.
“I have hitherto had respect and held minister Rugunda in high esteem. However, I am perturbed that the minister has listened to lies, relayed them to this House and now has instituted fresh charges against me that I assaulted a Police officer,” she said as Latif Ssebagala (DP) offered her a glass of water.
Sempala observed that by going to Owino Market, she was executing her constitutional mandate and her electorate was entitled to information.
The Police harassment, the MP asserted, was tantamount to undermining parliamentary democracy in Uganda.
However, witnesses at the rally gave The New Vision a different account of events.
“I found her standing on the first floor of the market building, addressing a rally,” said Godfrey Kayongo, the chairman of the Market Vendors’ Association.
“She invited me up to welcome her officially. I told the vendors that the previous day the MP had told me she was going to put a suggestion box.”
According to Kayongo, a Police officer came up, requesting her to stop since this was becoming a public rally.
“Nabilah told him: ‘I don’t need your permission to talk. I am an MP.’ She went back and started talking. The policeman asked me to get the microphone. But I did not see how I could stop her. I walked down. Glancing back, I saw a scuffle erupt as the MP refused to give the Police officer the microphone.”
Potato vendor Godfrey Kasita, who stood on the ground floor, described how the Police officer and Nabilah exchanged words but he could not hear what they were saying.
“I gathered that the MP refused to follow his instructions,” he said.
“The Police officer then tried to take the microphone from her. What I saw is that she hit him with her elbow. As he was complaining about this act, she hit him again with the microphone. As the Police officer came down the stairs, the crowd pelted him with stones.”
Re:TUTSI JUNTA on the RAMPAGE 5 Months, 2 Weeks ago
They hope that their propagandist technique will make the audience reject the opposition or their ideologies on the basis of the negative symbol, instead of looking at the available evidence. These individuals are so good at name calling, take for example recently when they said Mugabe is a dictator, who does not know that. But don't they need to look inwards before they constantly say crap about others..... talk about the pot calling the kettle black.
[i]Many of life\'s circumstances are created by three basic choices: the disciplines you choose to keep, the people you choose to be with; and, the laws you choose to obey]
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London, UK 2008-08-29
The trend of Ugandans living abroad started as far back as the 1940’s due to colonial deportations, continued with the 1966 crisis, Idd Amini’s regime, the crises of 1984/5 and has continued since 1986. Total: 1 million including spouses and off-springs
2 weeks ago, the government published the much waited Dual Nationality Bill. The timing could not have been more perfect as it was just before the largest Ugandan conventions in America; Ttabamiruka ’08 and UNAA.
Little attention is being paid to the fact that many delegates at the above conventions will no not be Ugandans by this time next year according to new proposed regulations. “Government tables’ stringent rules for dual nationality” is how the government owned New Vision described the proposals.
To put it simply; “Mama Kayibanda would not have been able to make baby Museveni a Ugandan when she carried him on her back from refuge camps in N. Tanzania into Uganda if these rules were in place. Never mind Museveni later becoming the President of Uganda”, said one Ugandan in East London who preferred to remain unanimous.
In part, the bill proposes:
“A citizen of Uganda of eighteen years and above who voluntarily acquires the citizenship of a country other than Uganda may retain citizenship of Uganda subject to the Constitution,” the Bill reads. “What about my children of 17 years who have lived in England since 15 years ago … Does this mean they’re not Ugandans?, Asked Ssozi Namugenyi of Streatham South London
“Applicants must also have been resident in Uganda for over 20 years and for 24 months running just before the application”. According to the published bill. This makes the entire bill hostile to Ugandans as it denies citizenship to almost 1 million Ugandans (including off-springs) living abroad.
“Who is going to abandon whatever they’re doing in New York, Toronto or London to return to Uganda and wait for 2 years because they want to apply for dual citizenship”?, asked J. Matovu, a strong opponent of the bill and host of ‘Ganda Talk’, another popular internet chartroom for Ugandans
Additionally, applicants should possess “substantial amounts of money lawfully acquired and be willing to take the oath of allegiance”. A person holding dual citizenship cannot hold some sensitive government positions or contest for the presidency.
At a time when the world is scrambling for skilled labor, it is ridiculous that Uganda, a country lacking skilled hotel waiters can turn its back on its more skilled citizens with skills ranging from doctors and nursing to teaching and space scientists among others!
At the time when Uganda needs 1400 pharmacists to dispense drugs in hospitals, this bill does not make any sense. I know of 15 pharmacists of Ugandan Origin working in S. London alone. Currently Uganda has 300 pharmacists for a population of 30 million according to a report in the Daily Monitor of 28th Aug. by Evelyn Lirri. This bill does not reverse the effects of brain drain of the last 60 years. It simply confirms the trend.
Uganda’s position on dual nationality is in sharp contrast to what other African Countries are doing. Taking Nigeria as an example; anyone born outside Nigeria becomes a Nigerian automatically as long as one of his/her parents is Nigerian regardless of whether they hold nationality of country of birth! They do not have to have pots of money.
This bill is not intended to achieve any purpose as far as the benefits of dual nationality to the country are concerned. The USA, Canada, Israel and Britain are countries benefiting most by granting dual nationality. Why? Because they can count on skilled labour of an individual with another nationality. Many Jewish USA nationals in strategic positions are also holding Israel citizenship.
Ethiopians acquire Israel nationality by simply claiming to be descendants of Jewish immigrants stretching back 1000 years.
That Ugandans are required to have money before they can be accepted as citizens is sad because according to government own estimates, Ugandans living abroad are the largest investors in the country because they pump $2billion per year into the Ugandan economy. They don’t invest this money in Kenya or Rwanda because they’re Ugandans. The Dual Nationality Bill does NOT recognize this commitment!
Indians of Ugandan origin who were kicked out by Idd Amin are the ones likely to qualify under this condition because they are the ones who come around with sacks of money. Thousands of pastralists being brought in from N. Tanzania, Rwanda and DRC will become Ugandans because they because their heads of cattle can be counted as money!
Further more, the Dual Nationality Bill is shutting out Ugandans with political, managerial and other leadership skills by excluding them from taking what the regime in Kampala considers to be ‘sensitive office’.
“We don’t want to create confusion. How do you become a president of another country at the sometime you are a citizen of another country? It’s the same thing with security heads. They are trusted with the countries’ security information and we can’t risk giving them duo citizenship,” Matsiko said.
However, Ms. Matsiko does not explain how former Flight Lt. Gerry Rawlings, a Scottish national became President of Ghana, served his 2 terms and handed over power without endangering the Security of Ghana. In fact Ghana is far more developed and organized than Uganda. What shall we do if a Tanzanian citizen becomes President of a Unified East Africa? This bill is NOT in the interests of any sensible minded Ugandan.
Overall, the Bill is a political draconian procedure designed to make Ugandans Living Abroad irrelevant to the political and social system in Uganda. Remember once it has passed, less than a dozen Ugandans Living Abroad would be able to demand the right to vote because they’re not Ugandans. Let’s not let this Bill pass us just like many laws passed in the 1980’s/ 90’s and are causing us regret today.
Political contributions to campaigns at home will become illegal. Any politician receiving money from Ugandans abroad can be disqualified if the state has reasons to believe that such monies were contributed by people not considered to be Ugandans.
Indians of Ugandan origins would not have been able to come back to Uganda if these rules were in Place in 1989, and would not have been able to enter Britain once Idd Amin kicked them out of Uganda in 1972 if Britain had such rules.
John Nagenda, a Minister in the Office of the President would not be in the position he is in because of the sensitivity of the office he holds. He was born in Gitare Rwanda. Health Minister Josehp Malinga should prepare to resign his position in Uganda Government because he holds dual USA Citizenship!
This draconian bill has been introduced because the regime in Kampala considers Ugandans Living Abroad as the life line for political opposition in Uganda. And why not. The majority come from N. Uganda and Buganda. The former are facing genocide and the later are losing their land to newly arrived immigrants!
The man holding the flag of fire and tasked to shade more light on this issue is Security Minister Amama Mbabazi. He’s facing NSSF corruption at home and heading to address a corrupted UNAA convention. What a perfect match and stage to ask him about these irregularities!
In terms of political foresightedness, this bill has far much more repercussions than originally thought for everybody calling themselves Ugandan and living abroad. UK Version will publish the whole bill in the next issue. Ugandans WAKE UP.
Re:TUTSI JUNTA on the RAMPAGE 2 Months, 3 Weeks ago
Reports reaching UK Version indicate that Presidential Advisor Mj. Roland Kakooza Mutale is the man who kidnapped the Chairperson of Buganda Civic Education Committee Betty Nambooze together with 2 other Buganda Ministers in July this year.
According to information circulated during Ttabamiruka ‘08 in New Jersey last weekend, participants were informed that Mj. Kakooza Mutale, using his Kalangala Action Plan, a Paramilitary Organisation he heads and which was commissioned by President Museveni carried out the Kidnappings.
KAP (Kalangala Action Plan) is a paramilitary organisation formed by Mutale, a Muganda-Munyarwanda just before the 2001 general elections to threaten and intimidate voters to vote for President Yoweri Museveni. It is fully funded and commanded from State House.
The kidnapping of Nambooze, Mayiga and Lubega was a well executed plan that the Police could not have carried out. “Police has a problem transporting prisoners from CPS (Central Police Station) to Courts of Justice 200 meters away, how could they have transported prisoners 300 kilometres in 3 different directions in one night, and make them tour the Western region over a 7 day period?”, asked our source from whom we could not confirm the story.
Mj. Mutale was prompted to take action after his own conclusions about the effects of the Land Bill confirmed that the bill is indeed losing NRM support in Buganda. He also discovered that it was the Buganda machinery led by Ms. Nambooze that was causing the harm. What he did not understand was why people who own no land not willing to accept what he was giving them!
Night meetings with Baganda elders and Kakooza Mutale all over Buganda including Luwero Triangle came to the same conclusions. Baganda don’t want the Land Bill and will stick with the Kabaka. It is intriguing that Kakooza Mutale, a man who has lived in Buganda almost all his life does not understood the fact that all land in Buganda belongs to the Kabaka, and that trying to re-distribute it is an insult regardless of whether they benefit or not.
It was at this moment that the President and his aide Mutale agreed to silence what they considered to be negative voice of Buganda. All consequences were considered including violence in the streets but what they did not anticipate was calmness under provocation. President Museveni and his henchman Mj. Mutale had planned on the basis that the kidnapping of Nambooze would cause someone to call for violent protests on the streets of Kampla on CBS (Buganda’s Radio) and that this would give a perfect excuse to shut down the Radio.
As Nambooze was being circled, anti riot police was being readied to take over the streets while more of KAP’s well armed thugs were already inside and surrounding Lubiri and studios of CBS Radio.
Kakooza Mutale was in full control of the operation.
According to our source, KAP are the ones responsible for a series of kidnappings in Kampala in recent times and were the ones posing as what we now know as the infamous Kibooko Brigade.
KAP were also responsible for the violent and unconstitutional arrest of former Monitor Columnist and KFM Reporter Andrew Mwenda last year.
In August this year, about 20 gun-wielding men of KAP turned up in the night and kidnapped 4 people from the neighbourhood of Kampala. Adam Mukalazi, 40, Yudaya Mukalazi, 30, Mohammed Mukalazi, 25, all from the same family and another person only identified as Kimbowa were arrested on July 25. The four have never been heard of ever since.
In the same week on 11th August, Pastor Nelson Onyango was Kidnapped by armed men right in front of his bewildered congregation in Bwayise, a suburb of Kampala and has not been heard of again.
In all instances, the kidnappings were similar in operation and carried out by rag tag armed thugs who do not follow the law but orders and that can only be by paramilitary organisation operating outside the law.
Our source believes that the recent wave of murders and kidnappings in the Capital is the work of KAP because almost all victims happen to be sympathisers or members of the opposition.
Mj. Mutale is the most controversial figure sitting besides the President. He first grabbed media attention 7 years ago when he led a team of soldiers into a village in Gulu district to forcibly exhume a body to look for evidence of rebel involvement in the death, without any scientific backup. The incident shocked the country, but Kakooza remained unapologetic for this crude act.
Given Mutale’s aggressive character, analysts say Mr. Museveni is out to instill fear into his opponents' supporters. Because he is known to apply unscrupulous and "unilateral" methods, it is easy for the president to disassociate himself from the man. Mutale also went through some very nasty experiences immediately after the overthrow of Idi Amin and has lived with a grudge ever since.
He cares little about public opinion and often defies it. Our research shows that Mutale started his work as far back as 2000.
The arrest of Maj Okwiri and the kidnapping of a Besigye agent in Kampala soon after the 2001 general elections were among the early acts of Mutale and his KAP which exposed the presence of thugs in the campaign in the run up to the polling day.
The Besigye 2001 team claimed that 13 of their supporters have been killed, including two people in Mbale and eight in Seeta, a few kilometers outside the capital on the Kampala-Jinja road.
The eight people who died in Seeta were killed when a soldier driving a pick-up rammed into a crowd of Besigye supporters who were sweeping the road in readiness for a rally. The road turned into a river of blood and the rally into a funeral. The soldier has never been prosecuted and it is believed he was a member of KAP.
KAP, largely militant, was accused by the Besigye team of 2001 of torturing its supporters.” This (torturing of Besigye supporters) is rigging," Mr Louis Otika, the national mobiliser in the Besigye camp, told The EastAfrican. "This is manipulation of the process and whatever the results of the polls, if it shows that the incumbent has won, people will know that he did not win fairly."
From the look of things, it seems we have not seen the last of Kakooza Mutale and his KAP. The most brutal acts are yet to come and with more support from ‘above’.
Normally you would back religion and reputation to guide our politicians. Not this time because Janet Kataha Museveni added her weight behind acts of thuggary when she supported the kidnapping of the 3 Buganda Officials in the national parliament, insisting that such acts “made sense”. She might have got out of State house but state house is still firmly within her,
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