The Observer (Kampala)
Michael Mubangizi
27 December 2007
opinion
The year 2007 has been a chequered one.
We have had some good tidings and setbacks, especially for business and politics. It has been particularly turbulent for the politicians in opposition. Police spent nearly half the year defusing riots and arresting opposition leaders. As if to prove the skeptics wrong, Uganda crowned the year by hosting the much hyped Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
President Museveni couldn't have been happier when he received Queen Elibazeth II and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh. The couple who were last in Uganda in 1954 returned to open the CHOGM summit.
However, the good image earned by this event was nearly spoilt by the eruption of Ebola in Bundibugyo district. But as the year ended, the Ministry of Health appeared to be on top of that situation.
Below are some of the events that dominated the headlines:
Muhwezi, Mukula in Luzira
As we sailed through 2007, the country reverberated with news that former junior health ministers; Capt. Mike Mukula and Dr. Alex Kamugisha had been arrested on May 22, 2007. They were arrested on the orders of the Inspector General of Government, Justice Faith Mwondha, over allegations of mismanaging Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) funds.
As they appeared before the CID for questioning, news spread that other suspects, Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi and former State House aide, Alice Kaboyo, had fled the country. But not long after, the two surrendered themselves to Police and were produced before Buganda Road Chief Magistrate's Court.
The group ended up in Luzira Prison where they spent a couple of days before getting out on bail.
Their trial has been mired in controversy, the latest being the IGG's complaints that the presiding judge, Justice Opio Aweri, is not doing a good job. The judge, on the other hand, feels that the IGG is wont to cry "wolf, wolf" even where there's no cause!
Mabira arrests
Then on April 12, the city went up in flames.
What was supposed to be a peaceful demonstration against the government's plan to give away part of Mabira forest to the Sugar Corporation of Uganda Ltd (SCOUL) turned bloody, racial and fatal. SCOUL is partly owned by Mehta family. Three people died and many others were injured.
Also arrested were MPs; Beatrice Anywar (Kitgum Woman), Hussein Kyanjo (Makindye West), alongside DP's Fred Mukasa Mbidde and traders' spokesman Isa Ssekito. These were accused of inciting the violence.
Kiboko Squad
When demonstrators devised means of protecting themselves from tear gas, another displacement approach was created. A group of cane-wielding vigilantes, otherwise known as 'Kiboko squad', emerged. These vigilantes first unleashed their fury on April 17 on hundreds of people who had gathered at Buganda Road Court to support MPs Beatrice Anywar and Hussein Kyanjo who were appearing in court.
Interestingly, the 'Kiboko Squad' was disowned by all the security agencies, including the Police who witnessed while the goons battered people. The Inspector General of Police, Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura, described them as "wananchi protecting themselves", while President Museveni labelled them "Community Defence Group".
State House arrests
State House employees too became newsmakers.
The presidential aide on legal affairs, Hussein Rugaba Kashilingi, was charged with abuse of office and later remanded at Luzira Prison.
Assimwe Hakeem Lukenge, also linked to State House and an aide to Presidential Advisor on Political Affairs Maj. Roland Kakooza Mutale was also arrested. He was charged with impersonation and unlawful possession of government property. Their boss, Presidential Private Secretary Amelia Kyambadde, said she was trying to clean up State House.
Mubajje charged
The Mufti, Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje, became the first major religious leader in the country, to be charged with a serious crime on March 16, 2007. He is alleged to have illegally sold Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) property. Mubajje is jointly charged with the former UMSC Secretary General, Dr. Edris Kasenene, and businessman, Hassan Basajjabalaba.
Judges strike
In March, lawyers and judges went on a nationwide strike to protest the raid on High Court by armed men. Security operatives stormed the High Court and arrested People's Redemption Army (PRA) suspects who had been granted bail. The judges' sit down strike which was announced by the Deputy Chief Justice Laetitia Kikonyogo, lasted one week. On the other hand, the lawyers' strike lasted three days.
Kayiira report
He died 20 years ago under mysterious circumstances but his death continues to provoke tremors in Uganda.
So Democratic Party officials emerged with what they called a report from the Andrew Kayiira murder investigation. Dr. Kayiira, former leader of a guerilla outfit, Uganda Freedom Army/Movement (UFA/M), was killed in 1987 by unknown gunmen. His death was investigated by the British Police, Scotland Yard, but the report was never made public.
DP dared government to release it. When government turned a deaf ear, DP threatened to hold a public rally at the Constitution Square and release theirs, which pointed a finger at government functionaries. After a series of clashes between Police and DP supporters, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Dr.Ruhakana Rugunda, released the report, and declared DP's document fake.
By-elections
Besides protests, 2007 was characterised by many parliamentary and local council by-elections.
Independent candidate Isa Taligoba beat NRM's Patrick Mutono to win Palisa district chairmanship while NRM candidates Wilson Watira and Steven Mubiru won in the newly created district of Bududa, and Kamuli respectively.
The parliamentary by-elections were shared among parties with FDC's Abdu Katuntu and Yokasi Bwambale Bihande winning in Bugweri and Bukonzo East respectively. UPC's Issa Otto won in Oyam County North while NRM candidates; Lule Mawiya and Chris Assimwe won in Kalungu East and Ntoroko County respectively.
With the up-coming by-elections in Samia Bugwe North, Mukono North and Buikwe South, by-elections are set to continue in 2008.
Kifefe dies
The trial of PRA suspects swung from the General Military Court Martial to High Court. Sometimes even the Constitutional Court was asked about the suspects.
Some suspects either under duress, fatigue or change of heart, decided to accept culpability in the plot to overthrow government. They applied for amnesty. Others stood their ground. And the cases continued changing stature and colour. When some suspects were granted bail, they were later arrested and charged with murder.
This forced opposition MPs, led by Leader of Opposition, Prof. Ogenga Latigo, to walk out of in Parliament in protest on January 30, 2007. They returned on February 20, 2007.
Joseph Musasizi Kifefe, a brother to FDC President Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye was granted bail while bedridden at Mulago Hospital in June only to die five months later on November 29, 2007.
Biting IGG
Tough talking Inspector General of Government (IGG) Faith Mwondah not only caused Maj. Gen Jim Muhwezi to be remanded in Luzira Prison, but also dislodged the Solicitor General, Lucien Tibaruha, from his office.
She wants Tibaruha to be investigated over some cases that government has been losing, suspecting connivance between Tibaruha's office and some lawyers. Barely a month after replacing Tibaruha, Jane Kiggundu, acting Solicitor General, was arrested for defying IGG's orders on October 29, 2007. The IGG had asked Kiggundu to submit some files related to Tibaruha's case and she failed to beat the deadline. Her confrontation with Parliament is likely to explode next year.
Faltering peacetalks
A comprehensive peace deal remains elusive after months of talking and consultations back and forth.
However, some internally displaced persons have returned home and the North has been peaceful all year round.
It's not yet clear how the talks will be affected by news that Joseph Kony executed his deputy, Vincent Otti who was playing a crucial role in the negotiations.
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