13-19 June 2016

Media Monitoring Report for Uganda

Posted on June 20, 2016

Compiled by Emma Allison Howie

New Vision, June 17^th 2016 – Besigye produced at Kasangati Court

Prisons authorities have produced former FDC president Dr. Kizza Besigye at Kasangati Magistrates Court amid tight security this morning.
The gates at the court have been closed and people without proper identification were not admitted entrance.
Besigye arrived at the court and was kept inside a maroon prisons bus as he waited to enter court.
The Chief Magistrates Court in Nakawa on June 1st issued the production warrant to Luzira Prison authorities to produce Besigye on June 1st.

The Daily Monitor, June 17^th 2016 – Tension as Besigye appears in Kasangati court

Tensions flared as jailed Opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye appeared for trial on charges of disobeying lawful orders before the Magistrates court in Kasangati. Dr Besigye, facing treason charges before Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court, is on remand in Luzira prison.
Ms Turinawe (FDC mobilisation secretary) tried to walk out of the court compound but was blocked by the police, insisting that she should instead get into her car and drive away.
After protesting and being joined by Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago to argue with the policemen over her right to move freely, she later jumped into her car and stood through the open-roof compartment to wave at onlookers, who had been blocked from accessing the court.
The police then gave chase, blocking her vehicle in the middle of the road and obstructing oncoming traffic.

New Vision, June 13^th 2016 – Police links Gulu raid to UPC man arrest

The police have linked the Sunday night raid on Gulu Police Station by armed men to the arrest of a Uganda People's Congress party deputy secretary for mobilization.
According to the police spokesman, Fred Enanga, a group of unknown gunmen raided the police station apparently to rescue Dan Odiya Oola from the force.
However, Enanga explained that the attackers were repulsed by a joint security force of the police and military.
The security forces, the police publicist said, reinforced and fortified the police station because they had credible intelligence about the planned raid.

The Insider, June 13^th 2016 – Rebel group claims Gulu raid, army denies Mbuya attack

A new rebel group that calls itself National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has claimed the attack on Gulu police station Sunday evening.
“The High Command of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would like to congratulate and command our Galant members of the Democratic Military wing upon carrying out a successful Operation in Gulu last night,” the group said in a message circulated on social media.“Our efforts yielded commendable results and we are proud of our gallant forces that have taken the lead in working towards uprooting the rotten regime of the NRM and its attending forces.”

The Daily Monitor, June 13^th 2016 – One soldier killed as gunmen raid Gulu central police station

Police have confirmed that two of its officers and a Uganda People Defense Force (UPDF) soldier, were injured on Sunday evening following a fierce shootout with gunmen who attempted to raid Gulu Central Police Station.
Gen Kayihura distanced the attack from the recent arrests of Forum for Democratic Change politicians. “Based on what we, have, it’s a gang that tried to obstruct the course of justice. If it’s something bigger, we shall tell you,” he said.

The Daily Monitor, June 14^th 2016 - Gulu attack: The unanswered questions

The Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura, yesterday said the primary motive of the Sunday attackers on Gulu Central Police Station (CPS) was to rescue an Opposition politician incarcerated there last week.
Mr Dan Oola Odiya is a mobiliser for the Uganda Peoples Congress, and security agencies suspect he masterminded an attack, late in May, on a Local Defence Unit detachment in Gulu District. Those assailants killed two people and fled with guns.
Police and the military have in the aftermath contradicted each other on whether or not any attacker was killed, injured or captured, which is strange because the state security agencies had presumably equipped for them.

The Daily Monitor, June 19^th 2016 – Security tightens hunt on Opposition

With Dr Kizza Besigye, Forum for Democratic Change MP Michael Kabaziguruka and Uganda Peoples Congress politician Dan Oola Odiya facing treason allegations, a siege mentality has gripped the Opposition.
Different members of the Opposition say the police and other State agencies are looking to link them to the recent spate of armed attacks. The government, however, denies that there is any such systematic clampdown on the Opposition.
“The police, in particular Gen [IGP Kale] Kayihura, is systematically feeding the public on speculation, disinformation and lies to create the impression that members of the opposition are guilty of treason,” said UPC president Olara Otunnu. “This is well in tune with what he has been doing in the past years; to fight political battles for Mr Museveni.”

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