An Activist Murdered in Bukedea District

The late Mr. Emusut

An activist who was very instrumental in the monitoring of 2011 general elections Mr. Emusut was on Thursday 28th July shot dead. Unknown armed men appeared in his home at 5pm in Bukedea district where they found him slashing his compound and straight a way showered him with bullets. His sister who was also shot survived after she pretended dead. During elections, this man had reported a malpractice that happened at the polling station he was observing in Bukedea. But it was so shocking that the top officials of Bukedea district ordered for his arrest, he was thrown into a police cell and beaten, later some civil society and human rights activists visited him in his police cell and interviewed him. And now, he lies dead; no one can fathom the reason and who is behind this cold murder. However, the police have taken up the matter and have launched an investigation.

Mr Emusut, a human rights activist gunned down in Bukedea at 5.00 PM

Mr Emusut the human rights activist and an election observer in the general election 2011 who was short dead ( pumped with over 15 rounds of ammunition) in Bukedea last week. That activist life was prematurely and horrendously terminated in broad day light- at 5.00pm as he was cleaning his compound and known killers who are still at large.
According to police preliminary investigations the finger is being pointed at some senior politicians and district leaders. He was killed as a cover-up of gross human rights abuses and abuse of power for which some issues are in courts of law. This was the second attempt on his life. The broad daylight killing has paralyzed the district that now looks deserted and investigations intensify.

In the past two months, at the post election dialogue in Soroti Mr Emusut gave a graphic details of his harassment by security operatives as he observed the presidential elections. He stated that while observing the presidential and parliamentary elections as an agent at a polling station in Bukedea District,he noticed multiple voting by certain individuals, a practice referred to as circular voting. When he brought the issue to the attention of the Presiding Officer and the Police Constable they promised to contact the District Police Commander and RDC.

When the DPC eventually showed up he swiftly arrested the activist and whisked him onto a waiting police van. He was to remain on the police van the whole day and was later locked up in the police cell for 2 days allegedly for disturbing the peace at the polling station.
At about mid night of the second day the activist reportedly was ordered out of the cell allegedly to meet the RDC and DPC. Him and other inmates resisted this until a scuffle ensued during which the inmates overpowered the police officer who then left them alone. On the third day the activist reported that his home was to be searched allegedly that he was in possession of firearms. The search was done but no fire arms were found. He was released unconditionally without any trial.

PAC Uganda and other human rights activists helped the deceased to file complaints with the Uganda Human Rights Commission while his ordeal became an example of the electoral violence that was meted out on the people of the Teso sub region. PAC used this and other examples to highlight the inadequacies in the conduct of the 2011 general elections. The story was embarrassing. It is reported that the RDC was suspended thereafter. Therefore, the murder of this activist comes at the heels of the unfolding of this unfortunate situation. That is the price of exposing the rot in the conduct of public affairs in Uganda.

All activists we need to take up this story and use all available means and forums to condemn this horrendous act with all the contempt it deserves. Secondly we need to exert pressure on the authorities to investigate and bring the perpetrators of this satanic act to book.

On Tuesday the 28th of June 29, 2011 was a meeting of the HIVOS partners in Uganda at the CEW-IT national office on spear house in Kampala. This meeting attracted several members from the different partner groups all over. We were also blessed to have
representatives from Kenya who officiated the meeting.

Matters concerning HIVOS donation to the CSOs in developing countries like Uganda were discussed as members were given the chance to ask as many questions as they felt were bringing clarity to then pertaining HIVOS.

The meeting was a successful one as most of the members present appreciated all the efforts that HIVOS is putting in trying to support the civil societies in Africa.
The meeting ended at 5.00pm with members taking a cup of tea and social hour.

HIVOS PARTNERS IN UGANDA MEET

On Tuesday the 28th of June 29, 2011 was a meeting of the HIVOS partners in Uganda at the CEW-IT national office on spear house in Kampala. This meeting attracted several members from the different partner groups all over. We were also blessed to have
representatives from Kenya who officiated the meeting.

Matters concerning HIVOS donation to the CSOs in developing countries like Uganda were discussed as members were given the chance to ask as many questions as they felt, bringing clarity to then pertaining HIVOS.

The meeting was a successful one as most of the members present appreciated the efforts of HIVOS in supporting the work of CSOs.
The meeting ended at 5.00pm with members taking a cup of tea and social hour.

PAC / CEW-IT shines at CSO Fair at Hotel African Kampala

“NGOs and Uganda’s quest for socioeconomic transformation”.
THE NATIONAL CIVIL SOCIETY FAIR which was Showcasing the value and contribution of Civil Society to Uganda’s Development was held on June 6th-7th 2011, Kampala.

This year’s CSO Fair was organized under the theme, “NGOs and Uganda’s quest for socioeconomic transformation”.

Among other objectives, the fair provided an opportunity for NGOs across the country to showcase their work and contribution to Uganda’s social and economic well being.

The fair was therefore an open space for the public and other development actors such as government, the media, private sector and donors to engage with the NGO sector and hold the latter accountable for their work.

so, the challenges and opportunities within the NGO sector through the different consultative forums and sessions as it strengthens the relationship between the Civil Society, Government, private sector and the Ugandan public were discussed in the different seminar one of which was organized by DENIVA.

The Civil Society fair featured exhibitions of cutting age work for civil society in Research, Livelihoods, Governance, Human Rights, Elections Monitoring, to mention a few. The medium will be stalls in which different works and products can be displayed including publications, agricultural outputs, artifacts.

And it this stage PAC Uganda a member of CEW-IT show cased video Documentaries and publication on governance issues that later became the talk at the fair on issues the documentaries raised on governance, accountability and human rights.

CEFORD POST ELECTION DIALOGUE

CEFORD organized a post election dialogue meetings in Arua (for the districts of Arua, Nebbi, Zombo, Maracha and Koboko) on 8^th June 2011. Participants in the meeting included the RDC, District Chairpersons, MPs represented by their political assistants, District Registrars of the Electoral Commission, Political Party representatives, elected leaders, religious leaders, traditional and cultural institutions, the media and CSOs. The meeting was attended by 79 (67m & 12f) participants.

The dialogue meeting was called to reflect on the 2011 general elections, identify lessons learnt, challenges and recommendations for the future.

The Ag: Executive Director CEFORD Ms, Asikpwe Jean informed stake holders that, CEFORD observed the 2011 general election in all the 8 districts of West Nile and the preliminary report was disseminated to the stake holders in April 2011. The dialogue meeting was called to reflect on the issues that transpired during the election process and suggest solutions that the elected leaders can take on to develop the region.

The meeting held at the CEFORD Auditorium, was officially opened by the District Chairman Arua Hon Wadri Sam Nyakua. In his address he noted that the electoral exercise although tedious was peaceful and bloodless a tribute he gave to all stakeholders.

The dialogue was kick started with an overview of the CEWIT observation report on 2011 General Elections which was presented by the National Coordinator – Mr. James Mwirima.

The issues he pointed out were:

· Peaceful nature of the election

· Falling short of international standards

· Poor training and remuneration of electoral officials

· Poor management of voters registrar

· Lack of vigilance among the political parties as they had few agents who were poorly facilitated and failed to provide evidence on the alleged bribery.

· Poor handling of polling materials and facilitation of polling officials

Various challenges were presented by the stake holders and some recommendations were suggested to overcome the challenges to ensure 2016 general elections are better than 2011.

Some of the recommendations proposed were:

Electoral commission

- Increased and timely funding for Electoral processes.

- Facilitating polling officials prior to the election day

- Review of the electoral laws

- Have in place an independent electoral commission

- Voter education to be provided by CSOs and FBOs

- Increase accountability to the electorate.

Government functionaries: police, RDC, security agencies

- No army but only police be involved in the elections

- Appreciate the role of police instead of abusing them

- Police to improve its vigilance and investigation of bribery cases.

- Police should not insult people

- Effective and timely deployment and equipping with new ICT gadgets for the police

Political parties/candidates/agents

- Clarify between facilitation and bribery

- All candidates should resign their political posts to avoid abuse of incumbency

- Parties should prepare and conduct transparent primary elections

- Parties should put in place and enforce a code of conduct in conjunction with the EC

- Parties should declare funding and account to the electorate

- Politicians should tolerate each other’s views

- Parties instead of individuals should be strengthened with structures up to the grassroots.

Electorate

- Strengthen party membership

- Early voter education – at least 8 months before the elections

- Strengthen civic education

- Make voting mandatory

- Create more polling stations

- Display NVR at polling stations at least 8 days before election day

CSOs

- Should monitor post election events e.g. vote recount and election petitions

- FBOs should take on civic and voter education

- Cooperate with the police

- Involve the media in their activities

Media

- Equal access to national media houses

- Media houses should come up with messages that appeal to the moral consciousness of both the voters and the candidates

- Media should work in accordance with an established code of conduct

The meeting was closed by the Deputy RDC Nebbi Mr. Kajil Allan. In his closing remarks he noted that it is nice to have different political ideologues to air out their views in a free and fair atmosphere provided by CEFORD. He added that destiny is by choice not chance and that the interests of Uganda are much bigger than of any individual Ugandan. He called upon the participants to work for development now that the elections are over so that in future the prosperous electorate will not demand for bribes before voting. He cautioned those who had been elected to avoid being discriminatory but to involve everyone including their opponents in the development process. He thanked all stakeholders for their openness and then declared the meeting closed. Above LC V Chair person Maracha sharing his experience

Above religious leader contributing to the discussion

CEW-IT PARTICIPATES IN TSA-EXPO

The Technology for Social Accountability Expo (TSA-expo) is a networking opportunity to bring PEOPLE together with TECHNOLOGY. Citizens and institutions focused on building a more cohesive, transparent and accountable Uganda can interact with technology service providers who have tools and skills to make those efforts more efficient and effective.

Technology tools that improve performance, accelerate communication, and enhance transparency between individuals, civic and political groups, businesses, and governments are increasingly available in Uganda. As we write, ICT is being used to improve services, build knowledge, organize people to debate policy and provide innovative solutions for the country’s most pressing challenges.

Uganda’s rapidly developing technological infrastructure, expertise, and mobile phone user base offers the opportunity for the nation to shine with the development and scaling up of technology applications that improve social accountability and cohesion.

RIC-NET/ CEW-IT was represented by M John Silco Chair person CEW-IT /Director RIC-NET, Mukasine Betty the IT officer at CEW-IT National Data Centre, and Erastus the Documentation officer RIC-NET.

John Silco a member on the panel discussing "Citizen Participation through Mobile Technology",presented the efforts of CEW-IT based on Uchaguzi platform.

centering on Citizens participation through Information Sharing using ICT, the ICT is used in two ways:

1.Strengthening Transparency and Accountability through access to Information.

On line district e-library www.kaseseelibrary.org

Information centres & e-society resource centre.

Interactive radio programme

Citizens access easily repackaged policies and government guidelines, government contracts, reports and budget estimates.

2. Facilitating feedback from the citizens and the local government .

This is done through:

Stake holders meeting on M&E reports.

Interactive community radio

Quarterly magazine

Online blog and website

after carrying out Independent budget analysis, public expenditure tracking and service delivery tracking.

He clarified that ;Uchaguzi Uganda, www.uchaguzi.co.ug is a collaborative platform by Citizens Election Watch - IT (CEW-IT), that allows citizens actively participate in observation of the election process.
Facilitates the citizens and observers to report incidents in real time, synthesizing, aggregating and displaying reports on the map.Observers report detailed account of issues on blog http://uchaguzi-uganda.blogspot.com/2011_02_01_archive.html

The information access possibilities available are: The District website, an e-library www.kaseseelibrary.org a district blog, a civil society portal and CSO blog http://rwecovoice.blogspot.com allows citizens access and share information within the community. http://uchaguzi-uganda.blogspot.com/2011_02_01_archive.html www.rwenzoripeoplesvoice.org .
Offline channels: feedback stakeholders meetings, Radio talk shows, quarterly magazine "the peoples voice” copies are on: http://www.ricnet.info/files/pub

The CEW-IT team demonstrated on how the tools are used and provided copies of the videos and quarterly magazines at the exhibition table.