7 years, 8 months ago-
Uganda continues to be a paradise of phony politicians were it becomes a trend to take Ugandans for fools. The likes of Odonga Otto,Winnie Byanyima, Ibrahim Semujju Nganda, Olara ottunu,Moses Ali,etc. see Ugandans as fools that are there to be played, manipulated and dumped.
Edith Byanyima, a sister to Oxfam executive director Winnie Byanyima has today failed to appear before the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) headquarters to respond to accusations of sectarianism and inciting violence.
Edith Byanyima (R) with Mzee Boniface Byanyima, Kizza Besigye & Obeid Kamulegeya
On Friday last week, Henry Mugumya, the acting deputy director, SIU summoned Byanyima to appear at SIU headquarters in Kireka today for interrogations.The summons stem from a protest letter by the family of the late Kenneth Akena, the victim of the Lugogo shooting to the inspector general of police (IGP) Kale Kayihura to investigate Byanyima’s accusations against the people of Acholi.
Trouble between the two parties started after a group of Acholi leaders attacked Winnie Byanyima, the sister of Edith Byanyima for standing surety for Mathew Kanyamunyu, the prime suspect in the murder accusing her of betrayal. Kanyamunyu is jointly charged with his girlfriend, Cynthia Munwangari and his brother, Joseph Kanyamunyu.The leaders including Aruu South MP, Odonga Otto and his Kitgum Municipality counterpart, Beatrice Anywar, argued that it was betrayal for Byanyima, the wife to former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate, Dr Kizza Besigye to try and bail out the suspects yet Besigye and FDC enjoy mass support in Acholi. Otto went as far as saying Besigye should never step in Acholi else he may be harmed.
Following the altercation at court between Winnie Byanyima and Acholi leaders, Edith Byanyima was quoted by some section of local media, saying they were in court, because Acholi soldiers killed Kanyamunyu’s father, James Arthur Kanyamunyu, a reputable evangelist and businessman and his two brothers on suspicion that they collaborators of the National Resistance Army (NRA).“It’s so annoying. The Acholis remind us of injustice. They are trying to commit the same injustice. If they had power, we would not be in court. Do they want me to tell them no one has monopoly of violence? This is totally unacceptable.” Byanyima reportedly said.
Akena’s family protested Byanyima’s outbursts. The family wrote to the IGP through their lawyers, Ojok and Company Advocates, saying they don’t in any way wish to curtail Byanyima’s God-given right of freedom of speech and expression but vehemently object and oppose her abuse of that right, which she expressed in an ignorant and sectarian manner.
As a result, police summoned Byanyima for interrogation this morning but she was no show. Police spokesperson, Andrew Felix Kaweesi, says Byanyima requested police to reschedule the interrogations saying she wasn’t feeling well. According to Kaweesi, Byanyima will appear on Tuesday. When contacted, Byanyima confirmed she indeed asked police to reschedule her meeting.She questioned why police haven’t taken keen interest in investigating the Acholi leaders including MPs Odonga Otto and Beatrice Anywar among others for also uttering sectarian statements and inciting violence. She wondered why police have zeroed in on her alone. Byanyima is not the first person to face charges of sectarianism and incitement of violence.
In 2008, Ibrahim Semujju Nganda, the incumbent Kiira Municipality MP was arrested and charged with “promoting sectarianism” and “incitement to violence” through a radio program and The Observer newspaper.
The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) accused Ssemujju of mobilizing the Baganda against government. CID also claimed that Ssemujju had criticised President Yoweri Museveni on different talk shows for the high rates of human rights violations during his rule.
In June 2006, Nganda was also accused of the same charges for writing an article that criticized government persecution of opposition leader Kizza Besigye. The trial was halted since the offence was being challenged in the Constitutional Court of Uganda, but Nganda was asked to keep reporting to court frequently.
The former UPC party president, Dr Olara Otunu also faced similar charges over his statements in regards to the northern Uganda insurgency, which according to police promoted sectarianism. Otunnu was summoned when he reportedly claimed that President Museveni facilitated the war in northern Uganda during a radio talk show in Lira.
Otunnu dismissed the summons and didn’t show up for the interrogations. Anybody found guilty of promoting sectarianism could spend five years in jail and another three years for inciting violence.
The political sleaze and waste of space, is what has kept Uganda from advancing forward.
Alice Ruhindi, Amama Mbabazi’s in-law went on a rampage and attacked Edith Byanyima
Alice Ruhindi, Amama Mbabazi’s in-law went on a rampage and attacked Edith Byanyima over the Kanyamunyu shooting case that left many Ugandan’s including the victim’s family in anger.
Edith is one of the Byanyima sisters who turned out at court to stand surety in the bail application for murder suspects Mathew and Joseph Kanyamunyu, as well Mathew’s girlfriend Cynthia Munwangari.
During the court session, the judge refused to grant bail to the three suspects and there was also a boil of anger in the court room as family & friends of the late Kenneth Akena targeted Winnie Byanyima, wife to opposition leader Kizza Besigye.
Kanyamunyu (Right) suspect in the murder of Kenneth Akena (Left)
This story that has received a lot of media attention and has been gripped with tribalism and hate between two sides but things took a turn for the worse when Edith tBtanyima made it public, that Kanyumunyu family have suffered enough at the hands of Acholi and they’ll not allow a repeat of the past.
This is what Alice had to say in response to Edith’s tribalistic comments;
Edith, see there are no winners in this case. My suggestion to you is to tone it down. If you have had enough when your nephew is a murder suspect and you can still hold his hand, what do you think Akena’s family are going through?What if we reversed roles so that Akena was the one suspected to have shot Mathew your relative? Would you still say that you have had enough?
It is tragic the way you guys come to social media to provoke people who are already on the edge? Is it pride? Arrogance or both?
Take a low key, talk when absolutely necessary. Avoid emotional outbursts because they are not only damaging you guys, they are annoying the family & friends of Akena.
Kanyamunyu (Right) suspect in the murder of Kenneth Akena (Left)
Your sister Winnie made a big error of judgement. You may need to get better PR on your team.You are not my friend & I do not wish to be among your friends.
You say I am a hater of your sister? That I am concerned about Winnie losing support in Acholi? Either you mad or on ganja or both.I neither know Winnie nor any of you girls. What I am certain of is that a young man called Akena was murdered & the suspects are 2 of your relatives.
You do not win public opinion by displaying such level of ignorance, arrogance, impunity & lack of humility. If it was not for Dr Kizza Besigye, I would have never heard of you little Miss. what exactly do you do for a living?
You are probably used to people who tell you lies & what you want to hear. The corrupt regime has made some of you grow wings. I have good news for you little lady. Keep it real & humble yourself. Show respect to the family of Akena. Manners do not cost a penny.
Your sister losing support in Acholi? How does she lose support when she works for Oxfam & pays taxes to HM just like me? Support for what? Why would I care? Bambi!
I feel pain on behalf of Akena’s family.Your concern is that your nephew is behind bars and cannot kiss & cuddle Cynthia as they demonstrated in court to our shock and horror.
Your family is lucky Mathew is alive. Akena’s family is not as lucky. His mother will never see him again. Unlike you who the other day saw your nephew.
Please carry yourself off Facebook for a while and stop upsetting people. Do not forget your poisonous tongue. You are definitely not a nice lady.
Winnie Byanyima Relatives are the most arrogant Murderers
The Akena story and murder has taken its toll on the small Ugandan community which some have felt that there is not enough justice for our brother Akena.
The three suspects Matthew Kanyamunyu, his brother Joesph including his girlftriend Cynthia Munywangari were remanded to Luzira prison until December 6, 2016 by Grade One Magistrate, Noah Ssajjabi.
Kanyamunyu, since last Saturday has been locked up and held on suspicion for the shotting of Akena, aged 32 years. Matthew claims he only tried to help Akena by taking him to hospital after he had been shot in the stomach.
Matthew Kanyamunyu says he was only being a good Samaritan as if he is Jesus Christ himself by helping take Akena Norvik hospital located along Bombo road in Kampala.Matthew Kanyamunyu is the chief executive officer of Quantum Express Logistics who has been held on suspicion for shotting Akena.
Akena Kenneth was a community development officer with a local non-governmental organization and was shot in the stomach later died on Sunday at Norvik Hospital. Kenneth was buried on Wednesday at Gang Diang in Kitgum Municipality.
The Uganda Regime splashes 500m on MPs to cheer on Uganda Cranes in Gabon
Government has splashed over Shs500m of tax-payers money to foot bills of MPs and parliamentary staff who are in Gabon to watch the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.
A source within the Parliament commission who preferred anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter said various committees and the commission sponsored about 25 MPs to travel and cheer the team.
The legislators’ daily maintenance costs in Gabon is thus a financial curse for the struggling economy and it might as well be good that the team has been ejected which will help cut on the expenses.
Each MP who stays outside the country is given a daily per Diem of $520 (about Shs1, 872,000).Each member of staff gets 320 dollars.
That means MPs spent Shs468, 000, 000 in per diem alone for the last ten days without the Speaker’s entourage and technical staff, which on average are five people.
MPs also spent another $19,750 (about Shs69, 125,000) on flight. A return Economy ticket to Gabon in Kenya airways cost $790.
On the other hand, MPs also splashed another $1,250 (aboutShs4, 423,620) in match tickets. Each ticket for a match in Gabon cost $50.
The quoted amount, however, doesn’t include the technical staff and the speaker’s extra costs.
Although the Ugandan team, budgeted Shs6billion to go through this tournament, the government gave them only Shs1 billion with a promise of another Shs1 billion should Cranes progress from group stage.
The Ugandan team could, therefore, be the poorest facilitated in Gabon and among the worst performers but via tax payer’s money, the cranes have the most expensive cheerers.
Some of the of the Mps on the delegation include; Anita Among, Mohammed Nsereko, Charles Bakabulindi, Moses Kasibante, Elijah Okupa, Conney Nakayenza Galiwango, Odongo Otto, Harrison Obua, Allan Sewanyana and Jalia Bintu, and Peter Ogwang.
Nevertheless, our source indicated that MPs like Moses Kasibante, Allan Sewanyana, Charles Bakabulindi, and Conney Nakayenza Galiwango are members of the Parliament committee on education and sports who would ordinarily be justified to travel because of the nature of their parliament duties as members of the committee on education and have to play the oversight role.
But others belong to different committees like Anita Among on the statutory enterprise committee and Mohammed Nsereko belongs to the equal opportunities committee while Harrison Obua is the Captain of the parliamentary team.
Also, MPs Odongo Otto and Jalia Bintu are members of the Parliament football and netball team respectively.
It is reported that some of these MPs were facilitated from the parliamentary sports budget others were facilitated by their committees and the rest by the commission.
All in all, the MPs, irrespective of which budget they accessed to travel were all facilitated by the tax payers.
When contacted to find out whether their trip was being funded by parliament or the legislators themselves, the parliament spokesperson Chris Obore, in a rude response said the legislators had gone to watch football like any other fan.
“Parliament even contributed money for the Uganda Cranes so they have gone to watch football,”Obore told the SpearTeam referring to the Shs215m that parliament donated to the national team twice less than their trip expense, before he hang up on phone.
The extravagant expenditure comes hardly five months after the same institution spent Shs2billion on the Speaker and her deputy alongside a delegation of 78 MPs and several parliamentary support staff to attend a three days’ convention of Ugandans living in diaspora last year.
Some legislators who were contacted on the matter did not support the arrangement to sponsor their colleagues to travel and cheer the team in Gabon.
Although he said the delegation could have used their personal funds to travel to Gabon, Nakase County South MP Paul Lutamaguzi said “Parliament has the power to increase the sports budget other than spending money at the last minute to cheer them.”
But the fact that the deputy opposition Chief Whip Mugume Kaginda, when contacted, revealed that opposition was represented by MPs Kasibante, Okupa and Ssewanyana, is evident that the delegation was apparently funded by parliament.
Kanyamunyu (Right) suspect in the murder of Kenneth Akena (Left)
According to Edith Byanyima the sister in law to Dr Besigye, Akena had to be killed because Acholis had killed Kanyamunyus father in the 1970s! We now know how these guts will behave once in government! They will launch a genocide against all other tribes! MY VOTE NOT FOR BESIGYE AND WIFE!