{UAH} STATEMENT BY THE S.G. JUSTICE FORUM (JEEMA)
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PRESS STATEMENT ON THE ILLEGAL POLICE SIEGE ON JUSTICE FORUM (JEEMA) HEADQUARTERS MENGO
Today January 9th 2014, Police callously besieged Justice Forum (JEEMA) Headquarters in Mengo, a stone's throw from Bulange, ostensibly to block a planned consultative meeting called by the area MP Moses Kasibante. The meeting was scheduled to be addressed, among others, by the Lord Mayor of Kampala, His Lordship Erias Lukwago Esq.
The illegal police siege commenced late last night and continues till now (1540 Hrs). JEEMA staff have been locked up in their offices and cannot move out. A guest who had earlier managed to enter the JEEMA perimeter with permission of the Police was arrested as he left. Police officers forced their way into JEEMA guest toilets by jumping over the hind perimeter wall and used them without JEEMA's consent. We condemn this wanton abuse of privacy unexpected of a police officer.
JEEMA President Counsel Asuman Basalirwa has maintained constant touch with the staff as he moves between police stations to provide legal assistance to the illegally detained leaders, namely; Dr. Col Kizza Besigye (now moved from Kampala Central Police Station to an unknown place) and Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago also illegally detained at Kira road Police Station. The whereabouts of Hon. Kasibante MP for Rubaga North are still unknown. At least 40 innocent youth have been arrested outside JEEMA headquarters and the environs. At least 8 people have been treated for tear gas reaction after the police without provocation hurled teargas canisters at on lookers along Mengo-Wakaliga Road.
JEEMA wishes to state the following:
1. Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago is lawfully and popularly elected Mayor Kampala
2. Moses Kasibante is the lawfully and popularly elected Member of Parliament of Rubaga North, where the JEEMA headquarters is situated.
3. No amount of intimidation will deter us from providing hospitality to the Lord Mayor and the Area MP to meet their electorate, stakeholders and fellow leaders. JEEMA will continue to extend hospitality to them and their associates, and JEEMA headquarters is at their disposal at all times.
4. This hospitality is extended to all democracy seeking individuals and organizations who may wish to hold peaceful meetings to discuss the way forward for Uganda.
5. JEEMA leadership and membership will defy all unlawful orders of the police until civilized order returns to Jeema Uganda, no matter what the price.
6. JEEMA's doors for dialogue are open and it is the intention of the Justice Forum to make 2014 the year of political dialogue and delicate negotiations to secure the future of our country.
7. We call upon all political leaders across the divide, civil society, security agencies, religious leaders - all stakeholders and well meaning Ugandans to embark on a firm call for political dialogue in 2014. The political situation in the country is neither tenable nor sustainable.
8. We shall not fear to negotiate but we shall not negotiate out of fear.
FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL
--
H.OGWAPITI
-----------------------------------------------------
"To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public."
---Theodore Roosevelt
Today January 9th 2014, Police callously besieged Justice Forum (JEEMA) Headquarters in Mengo, a stone's throw from Bulange, ostensibly to block a planned consultative meeting called by the area MP Moses Kasibante. The meeting was scheduled to be addressed, among others, by the Lord Mayor of Kampala, His Lordship Erias Lukwago Esq.
The illegal police siege commenced late last night and continues till now (1540 Hrs). JEEMA staff have been locked up in their offices and cannot move out. A guest who had earlier managed to enter the JEEMA perimeter with permission of the Police was arrested as he left. Police officers forced their way into JEEMA guest toilets by jumping over the hind perimeter wall and used them without JEEMA's consent. We condemn this wanton abuse of privacy unexpected of a police officer.
JEEMA President Counsel Asuman Basalirwa has maintained constant touch with the staff as he moves between police stations to provide legal assistance to the illegally detained leaders, namely; Dr. Col Kizza Besigye (now moved from Kampala Central Police Station to an unknown place) and Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago also illegally detained at Kira road Police Station. The whereabouts of Hon. Kasibante MP for Rubaga North are still unknown. At least 40 innocent youth have been arrested outside JEEMA headquarters and the environs. At least 8 people have been treated for tear gas reaction after the police without provocation hurled teargas canisters at on lookers along Mengo-Wakaliga Road.
JEEMA wishes to state the following:
1. Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago is lawfully and popularly elected Mayor Kampala
2. Moses Kasibante is the lawfully and popularly elected Member of Parliament of Rubaga North, where the JEEMA headquarters is situated.
3. No amount of intimidation will deter us from providing hospitality to the Lord Mayor and the Area MP to meet their electorate, stakeholders and fellow leaders. JEEMA will continue to extend hospitality to them and their associates, and JEEMA headquarters is at their disposal at all times.
4. This hospitality is extended to all democracy seeking individuals and organizations who may wish to hold peaceful meetings to discuss the way forward for Uganda.
5. JEEMA leadership and membership will defy all unlawful orders of the police until civilized order returns to Jeema Uganda, no matter what the price.
6. JEEMA's doors for dialogue are open and it is the intention of the Justice Forum to make 2014 the year of political dialogue and delicate negotiations to secure the future of our country.
7. We call upon all political leaders across the divide, civil society, security agencies, religious leaders - all stakeholders and well meaning Ugandans to embark on a firm call for political dialogue in 2014. The political situation in the country is neither tenable nor sustainable.
8. We shall not fear to negotiate but we shall not negotiate out of fear.
FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL
--
H.OGWAPITI
-----------------------------------------------------
"To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public."
---Theodore Roosevelt
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