Honesty, Tyranny, And Uganda’s Acholi Calamity

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Date: September 21st, 2009
Name: Ugandans In US Community
Subject: Protests Against The Butcher of Mengo!
Comment: Date: September 20th, 2009
Name: Ugandan US Community
Subject: Protests Against The Dictator!
Comment: This is to remind you that there will be demonstrations in USA and elsewhere to protest Museveni's government curtailment of the Kabaka's freedom of movement, its heavy handed and brutal handling of the ensuing protests over those restrictions, which resulted in considerable loss of life and property.
Regardless of political affiliation and/or ethnicity or nationality, you are all invited and encouraged to participate. The demonstration schedule and contacts are as follows:- New York - Wednesday September 23, 2009 at the United Nations. Contact -- John Mayanja Buwembo (jmayanja@townisp.com).
People from surrounding states are encouraged to attend.
Boston - Saturday September 26, 2009 at The Marriott Copley Place Hotel, at 110 Huntington Avenue, Boston MA 02116; i.e. the day and venue of the NRM Gala. Contact -- John Mayanja Buwembo (jmayanja@townisp.com). People from all over USA are encouraged to attend.
Other cities -- information to be disseminated as it becomes available. To organize a protest demonstration in your town call your local police to find out if you need a permit. The sooner you do it the better, because some juridisctions may require a 5-day advance notice, depending on number of participants.
The message below gives some pointers on what to bring, dress code, donation to support those who were injured in Uganda and the survivors of those who lost their lives, etc. Freedom is not free: come join us as we register our collective disapproval of Museveni's dictatorship and tyranny in handling the Banyala affair.
All inquiries welcome. James Ssemakula james_ssemakula@yahoo.com

Date: September 13th, 2009
Name: Maudling Lucoromoi
Subject: Thank You For Grand Presentation at UNAA
Comment: Your presentation at the recently concluded UNAA was grand and thanks a lot for the outlook from the Media position is additionally a great hit as we look forward to the back of the Great Popular African Dictator in the west.

Apwoyo tic ma alego omede anyim.

Lucoromoi

Date: September 10th, 2009
Name: David Katende
Subject: M7 has driven Uganda on the Brink of Genocide
Comment: Uganda The Daily Monitor

News | September 10, 2009
A woman being supported by a sympathizer during a riot in Kampala District.
Two confirmed dead in Kampala city riot

Daily Monitor Reporter

At least two unidentified people have been confirmed dead and several others injured in the chaotic demonstration that extended in many areas of Kampala city and nearby suburbs.

The violence is believed to have been triggered after a group of people singing the Buganda anthem started demonstrating against the blockage of the Buganda Katikiro John Baptists Walusimbi from entering Kayunga earlier today by police. He was blocked at River Sezibwa.

The Katikiro and his team had gone to Kayunga to finalise preparations for the Kabaka's visit on Saturday. Mr Walusimbi was traveling with the Kingdom spokesperson Charles Peter Mayiga and Medard Sseggona Lubega the Kingdoms information secretary.

According to radio reports, police is firing live bullets and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators who have already set ablaze a police post at the Old Taxi Park.

Several roads in the city centre have been blocked leading to heavy traffic.
Buganda Road, Said Barre and Rashid Kamis roads have been blocked by police to contain the situation. Military police has also been deployed in the city centre.
demo-241.jpg
UPDF Army deployed to calm down the situating in Kampala business district on Thursday.

Shops surrounding the new taxi park,Kisseka market, Kikuubo Lane, Kyaggwe road and William street have been shut down as traders try to protect their businesses.

The violence has also spread to areas of kalerwe, Ndeeba, Kawempe, Bunamwaya and Kyebando on the outskirts of Kampala.

Meanwhile, the government is yet to come out with a conclusive position on the Kabaka's visit to Kayunga.

Speaking to journalists earlier today, the minister for information Kabakumba Matsiko said the government would have a position before Saturday. she said that consultations where still going on and called for calm.

President Museveni was today scheduled to meet MPs from the Buganda region to discuss the ongoing tribal tension between the Baganda and the Banyala. The Banyala in Kayunga have violetnyl protested the Kabaka's visit.
Kampala-Riots.-2.png
Rioters set several unpredictable material including motor vehicle tyres on fire near Kyaggwe Road in Kampala on Thursday. (Photo by Edgar Batte)

Police is still heavily deployed in Kayunga and reports from the district show that the streets have been deserted. The police has also been deployed around various fuel stations as a measure to avoid any eventualities.

Date: September 9th, 2009
Name: Mr. B. Lalobo
Subject: Thank You For Information For Empowering Victims And Punishing Perpetrators
Comment: Thank you for sharing your presentation at the recently concluded UNAA conference in Chicago. You brought up two critical points that I think will wakeup dictators and their collaborators around the world. You pointed to the legal challenge by activists in the Niger Delta in Nigeria. A case which ended with Shell paying $15 million to the oppressed and marginalized people of the Niger Delta.
The other point was the "Arcane Law Brings Conflicts from Overseas to U.S. Courts" which now provide a precedent for inmates unlawfully held in camps in Acholi, Lango and other parts of Uganda and victimized by the Uganda Government.
Organization such as UNAA could actually play a leading roll in defending the rights of the poor people who have been victims of both the government and the LRA. Justice should have no boundaries, especially in this day and age when information technology has virtually wiped out boarders such area of human interaction as economics, trade, information, education and even law enforcement. The people of Uganda should not rest until officials of the government of Uganda are held accountable for the crimes committed against the people of Acholi.
These two legal cases are perhaps most significant development since the Genocide Protocol was adopted. The difference is that the perpetrators of genocide and other crimes against humanity can now be brought to courts with real authority to prosecute and punish. Unlike, the ICC and other international courts; national/state courts of democratic countries can act effectively and fairly with the fear or pressure of foreign governments. Thus giving hope to people who have been neglected for decades.
Pursuing such cases in countries such as the United States or Canada would go the heart of a dictators most prized instruments of terror; his money, the sources of his money and his foreign collaborators and enablers.
The solution to achieving justice for the victims, survivors and relatives of the Acholi Genocide is within each and every Ugandan. It’s your obligation as a citizen to standup for what's right and defend the rights of people who have been marginalized and dumped in despicable camps for almost two generations. The multitude of Acholi kids who have languished in these camps deserve opportunity to go to good schools just like the children of the Army officers and ministers in the Uganda government; and the president's. Their mothers have the right to access medical facilities just like the wives of government officials. What is it about their humanity that is so different and justifies such suffering?
I particularly challenge the young law students in Uganda to standup and start collecting data from villages across the country to help bring the perpetrators of the Acholi Genocide to justice. Go and interview the victims and document the genocide. Your education will only mean something if it helps give voice to the multitudes of the voiceless across Uganda.
My third challenge is for Ugandans, especially those abroad to demand that NGOs operating in Uganda such as the creators of “Invisible Children” to open their books for an audit by independent auditors to ensure that they are not using the tragedy in Uganda to amass personal wealth. Many of these NGOs work closely with the government, and therefore one might question their independence. This is especially critical since the government facilitates their travel, security, communication and accommodation while travelling to remote areas of Uganda.
In addition, in cases such as the "Invisible Children" project, the government even provided them with some footages which they willing used without verification of authenticity. A close look at some of the footages and still pictures will date them back to the days of Tanzania Peoples Defense Force (TPDF) and UNLA; when NRA used minors as young as 8 or 9 years old to fight their bush war. These same children are now being portrayed as Kony's captives--which is of course not to excuse his own crimes.
As despicable as the LRA is, we have to go back to the roots of the problem if we are to have a reason chance of eradicating the problem of violence from the politics of Uganda. That means finding the government officails who enginered the so called "IDP" camp project in Acholi.
Apparently, the producers and editor of the film “Invisible Children" did not bother with fact checking for the authenticity of some of their footages and still images. In my book, such organizations that knowingly play the roll of "enabler" in prolonging conflict by not reporting accurately and ignoring basic standard of research should be held accountable.

Date: September 9th, 2009
Name: Abbey Ssemuwemba
Subject: ATTENTION TO ONLY Mr ALLIMADI
Comment: M7 BIGGEST POLITICAL BLUNDERS
Museveni needs Baganda now more than he has ever needed them before. I don't know who advises our president but if I were him I would make some peace with Buganda right now because I don't think there is any region that trusts him anymore.
How can anybody trust president Museveni after the way he has started treating Buganda's Kabaka, yet they were 'allies' before. By the way, this issue of Bugerere is another make or break in Museveni-Kabaka

Date: September 8th, 2009
Name: Janet
Subject: Good Presentation
Comment: Dear Milton

This was a good presentation, and I believe the information you have enclosed should not be ignored.

Regards
Janet

Date: September 8th, 2009
Name: James Torac
Subject: Bravo!
Comment: Milton. Thank you... This clearly represents an added dimension to the struggle. I hope and pray people read, understand and utilize these new tools - "Arcane Law" and "the Bill," which the oppressed and helpless people around the world thought were not available to them. Like you, I believe in bloodless struggle. How many more must die before the Powers that be open their eyes and halt this senseless and avaidable demise of innocent people?
God bless.

Date: September 8th, 2009
Name: By Hellen Otii
Subject: Thank You For Speaking Truth To Empower
Comment: Milton, I really appreciate your decision to use your voice toconsistently, eloquently and persistently highlight the truth of Uganda's calamity.
The actions we take today create the future for the next generation of Ugandans who will break the pattern of tyranny and usher in true democracy. Uganda is endowed with rich natural resources and none ofits citizens ought to be dying of hunger and treatable disease, as is happening now. There is no excuse for man-made humanitarian crises. Thank you for standing up, powerfully influencing the debate around Uganda and leaving a historical record.

[Global: Presentation at UNAA On September 4, 2009]

Presentation made on September 4, 2009 by The Black Star News publisher at the Uganda North American Association (Unaa) meeting in Chicago, Illinois.

In attendance were also from Uganda: Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, Ugandan minister and permanent representative to the United Nations; David Wakikona, Minister of State for Northern Uganda Reconstruction; Member of Parliament and leader of opposition in parliament, Ogenga Latigo; a former Uganda minister of state for defense; Walter Ochora, the Gulu District Commissioner, in Uganda; and other officials. Cegun's Lucy Larom's presentation focused on genocide in Acholi and the spread of Hiv/Aids through targeted rape.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1TL6T-sv4U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-69rtyzZmg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84PJzuoTS8k

Bothers and sisters, fellow Ugandans, thank you all for coming to this very important Uganda forum.

It's not the northern Uganda forum. I have never heard of any country in the world called northern Uganda. I don't know where that is.

I wish someone could tell me. Anybody who knows of a country called northern Uganda please raise your hand and let me know.

So it's very important to lay the groundwork from the get go. There is no such thing as northern Uganda.

We have a Ugandan problem. Part of the reason why it's lasted for such a long time is because we allowed it to be cast in our minds as a northern Ugandan problem.
Just by agreeing to that terminology alone it means that we have also contributed to the prolongation of this tragedy.

I come from a media background so obviously words are very important to me.

When you hear terms like IDP; IDP could be a place where you go to spend the night if you've missed your bus. 'Internally Displaced.' As if those individuals had a choice; as if they displaced themselves intentionally to live in those camps for 23 years.

How do you willingly go to live in a facility where you know that the assured outcome is death? From lack of sustenance; lack of food; lack of hydration; lack of medical facilities. So let's stop the nonsense. You know sometimes honesty is good. Let's be honest. We travelled from allover the world to come here.

So why are we still pretending? Let's abandon these terminologies of nonsense and let's deal with the issue head on and recognize it for what it is. The tragedy is not only because of the vicious and brutal Lord's Resistance Army. If we accept that; it means we are not being honest. We all know that. Even the government officials that are here today. They know that not to be true.

They know that the Uganda government and military are also a problem. So why don't we recognize that. Why don't we accept that and be honest about that. [Audience clapping]

Honesty is good sometimes. It allows us to deal with issues head-one and move forward. Let's be honest. This video we just saw right now [Propaganda by Invisible Children promoting the Feingold/Brownback Bill which contains a section that would authorize the U.S. to militarily support the Ugandan Army in pursuing the LRA]. It would be difficult to recognize who made that video. An outside organization or the Ugandan government.

Let's be honest. How can you show us a video that is celebrating the Ugandan military as if it's not a part and parcel of the tragedy? That's not being honest. Does somebody agree with me or not? Let's be honest. When you have a tragedy such as the Ugandan situation let's recognize that the LRA has contributed massively to this calamity; as has the Ugandan government by maintaining those camps for such a long time when everybody knew what the outcome of maintaining people in those kind of living conditions--what the outcome would be.

Who can deny that? So, that's why people like Olara Otunnu have a good point when he says that you know the outcome of those kinds of living conditions, and you allow it to persist for 23 years; can you blame somebody then for believing that that was a calculated policy? Of course not. I would not blame somebody for believing that.

Let's be honest. The Ugandan problem is not very peculiar to Uganda after all. In fact, it's not even a Ugandan problem. Forget about northern Uganda. It's a problem of lack of accountable leadership in Africa. It's not unique to Uganda only. Where, rather than building institutions of governance and leadership, we substitute this with one-man or one-party rule.

So, let's start with presidential term limits. Let's be honest. It's a question of illegitimacy of government. And when a government feels that it is not legitimate, it survives by any means necessary.

There is no question of 'is there rule of law?' when government itself is in essence unlawful.

We talked about issues of transparency. Very good. I like the honorable minister's honesty [David Wakikona Minister responsible for reconstruction in northern Uganda had spoken about transparency regarding the spending of the proposed $600 million for recovery]. By bringing up issues of transparency the honorable minister recognizes that there has been a problem in terms of embezzlement and corruption.

We all know this. We read the Ugandan papers. Even the government newspaper talks about corruption and embezzlement. So it's good that the honorable minister talked about transparency.

And I hope that this transparency results in concrete measures such as for example having a website like the Federal government does in this country to show how stimulus money is being spent. So that we can see how the $600 million is going to be spent. So that one day no government official is going to come forward and tell us that the money is finished while nothing has been accomplished.

So by having a website that clearly marks how this money is being spent, where it's going, we can monitor it in real time; just like it's done in this country. There is nothing special about this country; there are things that we can adapt that can help us.

All of us here; we're educated, we're learned. And that's why it's disappointing when we come here --- I'm saying this in an American City; and I recognize that; I realize that; and I take advantage of doing that. But that does not mean that others within Uganda cannot make similar demands in their own ways.

I can just tell by the reaction of the audience that it's something that we all appreciate. We all believe that while one individual may indeed have a grand vision, nobody exists on this earth forever. He's not shy about talking about his vision. So then what do we do the day after? That's why it's important for us to agitate to build institutions that endure and outlast individuals. Not only in Uganda but in Africa. As I started from the beginning, I said this is not a problem peculiar or unique to Uganda.
I also appreciate what the minister said in terms of let's take advantage of this opportunity and not just come here and start listing a laundry list; pointing fingers, who did this, who did that, who's bad. That's why I haven't done that. I have just recognized the truth of the matter. Which is that we cannot be honest without appreciating that the LRA bears blame for the calamity; and the Ugandan government and military also shares blame.

Let's start from that premise and then we'll be able to move forward with some honesty.

Sometimes as people outside Uganda you feel a bit helpless that you are not able to influence events or conditions in Uganda. In fact, that's completely wrong. You can. In this new media era and environment, with the Internet, you can influence a lot of things. And I will give you an example.

The Bill. The Feingold/Brownback Bill. The so-called Northern Uganda Bill. That Bill, once it came out and it listed all the items that it included, we started agitating. Particularly we appreciated the part that calls for reconstruction and devotes money for that; but we completely rejected the part of that Bill that gives the United States the opportunity to team up with the Uganda military to go after the LRA. Can that be a solution? What would the US add to that dimension that the Ugandan military was not able to do in 23 years?

So we reject that segment of this Bill completely and absolutely. And if anybody is willing to sign that petition [which Invisible Children was circulating at the Unaa Convention] make sure you note that on the petition as well; otherwise don't sign that petition until that segment whichrefers to military collaboration is removed. [Audience clapping].

My final example. In terms of, we're reading a lot of stories about land issues and land grabs in the Acholi part of Uganda; not northern Uganda. What is the solution? Do we feel completely impotent and helpless when faced with these powerful multinational companies?

No! Have we forgotten the ruling in a recent case in a New York Court when Shell settled with Nigerian activists for $15 million for their collusion and collaboration with the oppression in the Delta region of Nigeria? The law is called the Alien Torts Statute and it's being applied very effectively in the United States right now.

I have an article here from the Wall Street Journal ["Arcane Law Brings Conflicts From Overseas to U.S. Courts." Wall Street Journal August 27, 2009]
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125133677355962497.html that explains exactly how people in countries such as Uganda can apply the same law to make sure that corporations that collude with any government, including in Uganda, regarding the oppression of indigenous people, can come to a United States Court and make legitimate claims.

Thank You.

Please post your comments directly online or submit them to Milton@blackstarnews.com

“Speaking Truth To Empower.”