CHRONICLES OF A THIRD SAD TERM: Arbitrary Arrests, Imprisonment, Torture and Death

CHRONICLES OF A THIRD SAD TERM: Arbitrary Arrests, Imprisonment, Torture and Death

By Andrew Karamagi

Once hailed as the dawn of the end of a tumultuous post-independence period in which opportunity and dignity would be for every Ugandan regardless of political shade, ethnicity, religious persuasion or gender, an era in which extra-judicial killings, institutional corruption and pervasive poverty would be a tale of the past, the ascent to power of the Yoweri Museveni-led National Resistance Movement (now National Resistance Movement-Organisation) was hailed across Africa and major Western capitals and editorials in global news magazines as "one of the new breed of African leaders" who would transform their respective countries into productive, self-sustaining constitutional democracies.

For less than a decade, the euphoria seemed justified; the few telltale signs (financial indiscretion, gross human rights abuses in Northern Uganda and a messy privatization process) were dismissed as teething problems. After all, an elaborate Constitutional making process which involved countrywide consultation was underway. The liberators were serious about establishing and nurturing the Rule of Law.

The decentralization programme was further proof about the seriousness of the new guard about devolution of power in the quest for participatory democracy that was genuine.

Close to three decades later, no better example proves the ages-old adage which avers that "when they remain in power for long, liberators begin to wear the garments of the very tyrants they ousted." It is the height of embarrassing irony for Yoweri Museveni who famously wrote that "Africa’s problem isn’t the people; it is the leaders who want to overstay in power…to fly to the UN General Assembly in jets while their barefooted citizens suffer from jiggers."

He epitomizes the very African leaders he castigated. Hence the joke that if the Museveni of 1986 met the Museveni of 2013 in a room, none of them would come out alive, or would they?

Alongside the ubiquitous state plunder with impunity that has emasculated institutions, crippled service delivery and exacerbated poverty, the incumbent government of Uganda has had to employ a triumvirate of oppressive laws, an asphyxiating economic environment and an ever-growing patronage network to stave off rising opposition to the illegitimate regime.

Rising commodity prices, 83% unemployment, mind-boggling thefts of public funds with impunity, a derelict healthcare and comatose education system among others have compelled Opposition parties, Civil Society Organisations, student movements, ethnic groups and individual citizens to express their reservations about the obtaining state-of-affairs in one way or the other.

The government response to citizen demands has been brutal, insensitive and autocratic. Malicious prosecution on trumped-up charges, violent arrests, torture, detention for unlawful periods without formal charges, closure of media houses, politically motivated tax audits have become the standard response to expressions of discomfort.

Scores have paid the ultimate price with their lives.

Although a lot of documentation has been authored on the above subject by varied sections of the civil society, this compilation of the government’s highhandedness is different in the sense that it catalogues the individual citizens who have borne the brunt of the dictatorship’s repression (

https://www.facebook.com/byamugisha.moses.7/media_set?set=a.644257165601666.1073741831.100000521653333&type=3).

Some belong to political parties, others to civil society organizations, social movements, student movements and other citizen formations.

In no particular order:

 

 

 

No.	Name and Identity	Date/Time of Arrest	Charge Preferred	Status to-date
01.	Dr. Kizza Besigye, Former President of the Forum for Democratic Change	Numerous arrests, torture and illegal detention since 2001 todate;	Over sixty offences including rape, terrorism and treason	Under overt twenty four hour surveillance Police escort and occasional house arrest
02.	Erias Lukwago, Advocate, former MP and incumbent Lord Mayor of Kampala City	Numerous arrests, torture and illegal detention since 2005 todate	Inciting violence, unlawful assembly and sectarianism	Under overt twenty four hour surveillance, Police escort and house arrest
03.	Barbara Allimadi, Civil Rights Defender/Media Practitioner	Numerous arrests, torture and prolonged periods of illegal detention	Inciting violence and unlawful assembly	Cases pending before Court; Under constant surveillance and on Police bond
04.	Doreen Nyanjura, Author, Civil and Women’s Rights Defender/University Student	Numerous arrests, torture, malicious prosecution and illegal detention since 2006 to date	Incitement of violence and unlawful assembly	Released on Police bond
05.	Michael Kabaziguruka, Civil Rights Defender and Businessman		Treason and engagement in subversive activity	Case in court; no witnesses, prolonged adjournments
06.	Harold Kaija, Civil Rights Defender/Businessman	Violent arrest, torture and illegal detention for weeks without charge	Incitement of violence, unlawful assembly and subversion	Released on Police bond; other case in court
07.	Angudbo - Airtime Vender, Jinja Road	7th January at 8 am, Jinja Road for reading the Black Monday anti-corruption newsletter	None and released after 3 hours	Free
08.	Yusuf Nsibambi, Advocate, Senior Lecturer and Civil Rights Defender	14 November, 2005	No charge proffered	Released without charge; under constant surveillance and repeated harassment by security operatives
09.	Gladys Nairuba, Anti Corruption Coalition of Uganda	13th January,2013 10am at Watoto Church in Busega	Spreading of harmful propaganda (Black Monday anticorruption Newsletter) and inciting violence	On Police Bond and reports regularly to Nsangi Police Post
10.	Kato Fred, Aide to Dr. Kizza Besigye	Several violent arrests, torture and prolonged periods of detention	Multiple charges: unlawful assembly, subversion, disobedience of lawful orders	Released on Police bond; under constant surveillance
11.	Kavuma Richard, Civil Rights Defender and Member FDC Youth WIng	Several arrests, prolonged periods of detention and torture	Unlawful assembly, disobedience of lawful orders and incitement of violence	Released on Police bond, under constant surveillance
12.	Bishop Zac Niringeye, Visiting Fellow at HURIPEC	4th February 2013 at 10am in Makerere	Inciting Violence and released on Police Bond	Under constant surveillance; should report weekly to Police
13.	Frank Atukunda	Multiple arrests	Unlawful assembly	Released on Police bond
14.	Leonard Okello, Director - Uhuru Institute	7th January 2013 at 8 am, Jinja Road	None and released after 3 hours	Free
15.	Ms. Ingrid Turinawe, Civil and Women’s Rights Defender	Multiple arrests, prolonged detention and torture (her breasts were squeezed by a Policeman in public)	Incitement of violence, unlawful assembly and subversion	Under constant overt surveillance, released on Police bond; cases pending before Court
16.	Kayanja Thomas, University Student and Guild Leader	19 August, 2013 at DENIVA HQs	Unlawful assembly and assaulting a Police Officer	Released on Police bond; case pending before Court
17.	Arthur LAROK, Country Director, ActionAid	7th January, 2013 at 8 am, Jinja Road	None and released after 3 hours	Free
18.	Nawula Marjorie	19 August at DENIVA HQs	Incitement of violence and disrupting a Police officer on duty	Released on Police bond
19.	Patrick Nyakoojo- Youth Activist	13th January,2013 at 9:40am, Rubaga Miracle Centre Church	Incitement of violence & arrested for 10 hours	On Police bond for two months and has to report on a weekly basis
20.	Bwowe Ivan, University Student and Student Guild Representative	Several arrests and illegal detention	Unlawful assembly, incitement of violence and disobedience of lawful orders	Released on bond; case pending in court
21.	Bala Bwiruka David, University Student and Student Guild Representative	19 August, 2013	Unlawful assembly and incitement of violence	Released on bond, Case pending in Court, expelled from Makerere University (the High Court has ordered his reinstatement)
22.	Anna Adeke Ebaju, University Student and Guild President of Makerere University	Violently arrested twice and detained for a day	Incitement of violence and unlawful assembly	Under constant harassment and surveillance; released on Police bond
23.	Byamugisha Moses, Lawyer and Civil Rights Activist	Multiple arrests since 2006, torture, illegal and prolonged detention	Unlawful assembly, incitement if violence	Under occasional surveillance; case pending in court; released on Police bond
24.	Mwijukye Francis, Development Economist and FDC Youth Wing Chairman	Multiple violent arrests (sustained serious gunshot wounds), illegal detention and torture	Over thirty charges including unlawful assembly, simple robbery, annoying the person of the President and incitement of violence	Cases pending in court; released on Police bond
25.	Isaac Kasamani, Journalist	Violently arrested, beaten and shot at by Police	No charges proffered	Under constant surveillance
26.	Oghwens Kisangala- Civic Activist	13th January,2013 at 9:40am, Rubaga Miracle Centre Church	Incitement of violence & arrested for 10 hours	On Police bond for two months and has to report on a weekly basis
27.	Justus H. Akampurira, University Student Leader	19 August at DENIVA HQs	Incitement of violence and disrupting a Police officer on duty	Released on Police bond
28.	Sam Mugumya, Political Scientist and Civil Rights Defender	Multiple arrests, prolonged detentions and torture	Incitement of violence, simple robbery and unlawful assembly	Court cases pending in Court; one dismissed for prosecutorial misconduct
29.	Wasswa William, University Student	19 August, 2013 at DENIVA HQs	Incitement of violence and unlawful assembly	Released on Police bond
30.	Kalungi Ibra	Multiple arrests	Incitement of violence and unlawful assembly	Released on Police bond
31.	Ndugga Vianney, Member of Nkoba Zambogo	28 October, 2013	Unlawful assembly	Detained overnight and released on Police bond
32.	Sekamatte Twaha, Member of Nkoba Zambogo	28 October, 2013	Unlawful assembly	Detained overnight and released on Police bond
33.	Sansabula Bukenya, Member of Nkoba Zambogo	28 October, 2013	Unlawful assembly	Detained overnight and released on Police bond
34.	Senyimba Rogers, Member of Nkoba Zambogo	28 October, 2013	Unlawful assembly	Detained overnight and released on Police bond
35.	Suke Eric-Youth Activist	13th January,2013 at 9:40am, Rubaga Miracle Centre Church	Incitement of violence & arrested for 10 hours	On Police bond for two months and has to report on a weekly basis
36.	Jane Amago- Youth Activist	13th January,2013 at 9:40am, Rubaga Miracle Centre Church	Incitement of violence & arrested for 10 hours	On Police bond for two months and has to report on a weekly basis
37.	Jesiica Musiime-S.6 Vacation student	13th January,2013 10am at Watoto Church in Busega	Spreading of harmful propaganda and inciting violence	On Police Bond and reports regularly to Nsangi Police Post
38.	Jeremiah Mwesigwa- S.6 Vacation student	13th January,2013 10am at Watoto Church in Busega	Spreading of harmful propaganda and inciting violence	On Police Bond and reports regularly to Nsangi Police Post
39.	Emmanuel Kitamirike- Executive Director, Uganda Youth Network	4th February,2013, 9:30am at Makerere	Incitement of violence & arrested for 10hrs	On Police Bond for a month and has to report on a weekly basis
40.	Atuheirwe Brian	26 August, 2013	Incitement of violence and detained for 6 hours	Released on Police bond; under constant surveillance
41.	Mugabi John	19 August, 2013	Incitement of violence and unlawful assembly	Released on Police bond
42.	Bwete Achilles	19 August, 2013	Incitement of violence and unlawful assembly	Released on Police bond
43.	Kakooza Hudson	4th February,2013, 9:30am at Makerere	Incitement of violence & arrested for 10hrs	On Police Bond for a month and has to report on a weekly basis
44.	Kanyonyi Isa	4th February,2013, 9:30am at Makerere	Incitement of violence & arrested for 10hrs	On Police Bond for a month and has to report on a weekly basis
45.	Mubarak Munyagwa, Mayor of Kawempe Division	Multiple arrests and detention	Incitement of violence and unlawful assembly	Under constant surveillance and occasional house arrest
46.	Lubega Jenny, University Student	Multiple arrests	Incitement of violence and unlawful assembly	Released on Police bond
47.	Nyakato Rusoke	Multiple arrests and prolonged detention	Incitement of violence, unlawful assembly and disobedience of lawful orders	Released on Police bond
48.	Seggirinya Muhammad	7 July, 2013	No charges proffered	Released without charge
49.	Asuman Basalirwa	7 July, 2013	No charges proffered	Released without charge
50.	Bernard Kaketo	7 July, 2013	No charges proffered	Released without charge
51.	Dan Mugarura, Chairman FDC Electoral Commission	Multiple arrests and detention	Unlawful assembly and subversion	Cases pending before Court; under constant surveillance
52.	Kiyonsa Allan	4th February,2013, 9:00am at Makerere	Incitement of violence & arrested for 10hrs	On Police Bond for a month and has to report on a weekly basis
53.	Sabaidu Ismail	4th February,2013, 9:00am at Makerere	Incitement of violence & arrested for 10hrs	On Police Bond for a month and has to report on a weekly basis
54.	Kyebuula Hassan	4th February,2013, 9:00am at Makerere	Incitement of violence & arrested for 10hrs	On Police Bond for a month and has to report on a weekly basis
55.	Sarah Peters- Intern, Facilitation for Peace and Development	11th February,2013 9:00am at Lira NGO Forum	No charges and released immediately	Free
56.	Kyeyune Moses	19 August, 2013	Unlawful assembly and incitement of violence	Released on Police bond
57.	Ssenoga Simon	Multiple arrests	Unlawful assembly and incitement of violence	Released on Police bond
58.	Daniel Okello- Coordinator, Lira District NGO Forum	11th February,2013 9:00am at Lira NGO Forum	Possession of prohibited publications & arrested for 10 hours	On Police Bond for a month and still reporting on weekly basis
59.	David Omega	11th February,2013 9:00am at Lira NGO Forum	Possession of prohibited publications & arrested for 10 hours	On Police Bond for a month and still reporting on weekly basis
60.	Jonathan Odur- Coordinator, Facilitation for Peace and Development	11th February,2013 9:00am at Lira NGO Forum	Possession of prohibited publications & arrested for 8 hours	On Police Bond for a month and still reporting on weekly basis
61.	James Male-Programme Officer; Uganda National Ngo Forum	19th February,2013 7:00pm at Mbale	No charges and released after 4 hours	Free
62.	Wandera Fred Mathew- Ag. Programs Coordinator; AAIU, Kalangala DI	24th June, 20 after disembarking on the MV (ferry) Kalangala	Possession of prohibited publications with intention to incite violence & arrested for 5 hours	On Police bond with reporting on a weekly basis till bond cancelled for a month
63.	Samula Godfrey- Staff member; AAIU, Kalangala DI	24th June, 20 after disembarking on the MV (ferry) Kalangala	Possession of prohibited publications with intention to incite violence & arrested for 5 hours	On Police bond with reporting on a weekly basis till bond cancelled after a month
64.	Leonard Okello- Executive Director, Uhuru Institute	17th June, 2013 at Min. of Finance Planning and Economic Development	Inciting violence and arrested for 4 hours	On Police bond; reported twice on a bi-weekly basis.
65.	Andrew Karamagi- HURIPEC, School of Law	17th June, 2013 at Min. of Finance Planning and Economic Development	Inciting violence and arrested for 4 hours	On Police bond; reported twice on a bi-weekly basis.
66.	Emmanuel Mwanika; Office Assistant Uganda National NGO Forum	17th June, 2013 at Min. of Finance Planning and Economic Development	Inciting violence and arrested for 4 hours	On Police bond; reported twice on a bi-weekly basis.
67.	Emmanuel Mwanika; Intern Uganda National NGO Forum	17th June, 2013 at Min. of Finance Planning and Economic Development	Inciting violence and arrested for 4 hours	On Police bond; reported twice on a bi-weekly basis.
68.	Job Kiija; Programme Coordinator Uganda National NGO Forum	7th October, 2013 at Balikudembe Market, Owino.	Inciting violence and holding an unlawful assembly	On Police bond; reported twice and still reporting on a monthly basis.

The above list is by no means exhaustive; it is at best a microcosm of the brutality and intolerance with which the incumbent regime in Kampala treats its citizens. The list makes no mention of the fifty two (approx.) Ugandans who were shot dead during the 2009 Kayunga Riots, some of whose bullet-riddled bodies were dumped in Nakivubo Channel only to surface days later. This list is also silent about the two babies (Javiirah Nasamula and Abigail Julian Nalwanga) whose lives were ended by trigger happy Policemen in the course of quelling a peaceful demonstration against inflation and government profligacy. Of course, this list is equally silent about the men and women in uniform who have paid the ultimate price like John Michael Ariong who, consciously or subconsciously, have been used by a debauched regime that is hell-bent on maintaining its stranglehold on power. Summarily, the pain that Ugandans have borne individually or collectively—orphans, widows, widowers, aggrieved friends and colleagues—remains to be fully comprehended, probably when the regime is out of power and more people can come out to speak.



Andrew Karamagi