New storm breaks over Uganda’s electoral commission

UPC Presidential candidate Dr. Olara Otunnu wants Government to set up a truth and re-conciliation commission if national healing is to occur.

Presidential campaigns: Day 1

By Hassan Isilow

It is a busy season here in Uganda. Today marked the official start of the presidential campaigns and I was very much interested in listening to UPC’S flag bearer Dr.Olara Otunnu. Like elsewhere in the world, opposition candidates never seem to run out of words. This time Ambassador Otunnu, asked questions about the transparency of Uganda’s Independent electoral commission. Mr. Otunnu claimed the current electoral commission cannot hold a free and fair election, because the commission reportedly “belongs” to President Yoweri Museveni who is seeking re-election after serving for 25 years. Now it has also emerged the Uganda People’s Congress party (UPC) has been travelling around the country soliciting for signatures seeking a vote of no confidence in the current electoral commission headed by Dr.Badru Kiggundu-who is viewed by many as being President Museveni’s friend/supporter.
Why Otunnu left IPC
He withdrew from the Interparty cooperation because; it was silent about serious issues. “The IPC avoided addressing serious issues like the Luwero genocide, massacre of Muslims in Mbarara, killing of civilians in Northern Uganda and Teso region” Ambassador Otunnu revealed. He also accused IPC members of refusing to boycott the elections unless the current electoral commission was reconstituted. He suggested Uganda institutes a truth and re-conciliation commission if national healing is to occur. The former UN Diplomat now turned politician pledged to turn Uganda into a free enterprise economy once elected. He described President Yoweri Museveni’s 25-year -rule as corrupt.

Sycophancy killing Museveni’s legacy

Sycophancy killing Museveni’s legacy.

Africa’s next top poet

warsan shire, Africa's next top poet

Inspiring the Voiceless( Click on this link to listen to an audio interview between Hassan Isilow and Warsan)

Warsan Shire is a young poet, who uses the power of spoken word to express views that effect change. I met the 22-year-old; London-based Somali-woman, as she visited cape Town to do a performance. I attended three of her performances in Cape Town.Shire motivated her audiences at Scalibrini Centre for Refugees, and at the poetry in dialogue center of the University of Western Cape. She touched many hearts through her conscious lyrics, incendiary and revolutionary poetry that puts her in her own class. Surely lots of people who attended her performance will remember her as a leading light. I later interviewed her on my weekend radio talk show. “I have written about what communities think is taboo, like female genital mutilation which happens in many communities,” she told me during the radio interview. The young woman, who began writing poetry at the tender age of 15, is making a name for herself on the artistic and activist scene. She has performed in the United Kingdom, North America and now has won more fans in Africa. Shire has moved audiences to tears from performing her poems such as “Bus Stop Genocide” and “Apocalypse Please”. Shire is also a strong campaigner for women’s rights and detests people who abuse women and children. Shire also writes about love and culture and has become a role model for many Somali youth. Her first book will be published soon. For more about Shire,: http://www.myspace.com/warsanshire.

Tariq Aziz sentenced to death

An Iraq court handed a death sentence to Aziz Tariq for his role in eliminating Islamic Parties(AFP)

Iraq’s high tribunal has passed a death sentence on Tariq Aziz, one of deposed leader Saddam Hussein’s most prominent deputies. The death sentence, announced on Tuesday, was the first to be handed to Aziz, a former foreign minister and deputy prime minister, who was often seen as the face of Saddam’s government in foreign capitals and at the UN. Aziz, 74, was at the centre of explaining Iraq’s policy in the months leading up to the first Gulf War after Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, and in the years after as Iraq faced sanctions and arms inspections. In 2003, he met with Pope John-Paul II in an unsuccessful effort to avert the threat of military action by the US and its allies. The Iraqi high tribunal was set up in 2003 to try former members of Saddam’s rule. Aziz was brought to trial on April 29, 2008 and accused of signing an order for the execution of 42 merchants who allegedly manipulated food prices in July 1992 at the height of the country’s economic downturn under UN sanctions. He has denied the charges. Prosecutors had also hoped that Aziz, who is a Christian, would testify against Saddam, but the former foreign minister refused to condemn his one-time boss and continued to refer to him as “the president”. Aziz’s family say his health has deteriorated considerably since he suffered a stroke prior to the US invasion. Senior members of Iraq’s Assyrian Church have called on US forces to release him. His lawyer confirmed that he was in poor health and in deep shock and astonishment. “The sentence was a big blow to him and he is still under the effect of the shock, a matter that could end his life before he is executed.” On March 11, 2009 an Iraqi court found him guilty of the July 1992 executions and handed him a 15-year sentence Source: Al Jazeera and agencies

Museveni heading for victory-Analysts

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, (seen on the right) is accompanied by his wife Janet Museveni (center) during his fourth term presidential nominations.

Uganda’s Incumbent President Yoweri Museveni has been nominated to run for a fourth elective term in office. Mr. Museveni who has ruled Uganda since 1986 is credited for bringing peace and economic recovery to the country which was once economically crippled. Mr. Museveni will represent the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party in the 2011 presidential elections.
His main rival Rtd.Col.Dr.Kiiza Besigye was also cleared by the national electoral commission to run as a presidential candidate representing the Forum for Democratic change. This will be the third time Mr.Besigye contests against President Museveni in a national election that analysts believe might favor the incumbent. Others nominated to run for the presidency include, Mr.Nobert Mao,-leader of the Democratic Party, Mr.Jaberi Bidandi Ssali of the People’s Progressive Party and MS Betty Kamya the only female candidate in the race.