{UAH} 400 for JEEMA Delegates Conf, as EC Risks Messing Voters Register

JUSTICE FORUM (JEEMA)

OFFICE OF THE PUBLICITY SECRETARY/SPOKESMAN

Weekly Press Briefing

Party Headquarters, Mengo, Kampala

(Embargoed Till 11 Hours East, August 13, 2015)

Addressed by Ag DSG Mr Kateregga Muhammad and EC Chair Mr Nsamba

1.    400 participants expected for Delegates Conference

We have planned for about 400 participants to attend the 5^th National Delegates Conference (NDC). This number is unusually high owing to the fact that JEEMA aspirants for LCV and parliamentary seats from different corners of the country are joining elected delegates to attend.

It's therefore, going to be a historic event for our 19-year old party. The event is taking place next Monday August 17-18, 2015 at Arch Apartments, Ntinda, Kampala.
Business will commence Monday night and therefore, participants are expected to check in by 4:00 o'clock Monday evening for registration and accreditation.  

A new team of office bearers will be unveiled to the public and the media at 11 hours on Tuesday August 18.

2.  Reservations over National Voters Register

JEEMA maintains the position of the Citizens' Compact for Free and Fair Elections. The same is shared by our partners in The Democratic Alliance (TDA), including a credible and clean National Voters Register. We also remain firm on the necessity of a truly independent and credible Electoral Commission (EC). Like all peace loving Ugandans, we were set aback by the conduct of the NRM dominant 9^th Parliament of Uganda that passed the ill-fated Constitutional Amendment Bill on Tuesday this week.

We commend the only JEEMA MP in the House Hon Hussein Kyanjo for opposing that Bill. We further fully associate ourselves with the position determined by TDA on this development.       

Additionally we have noted several anomalies in the manner the National Voters' Register is being updated by the EC.

Whereas the EC was telling the nation that the process of National Identity Card Registration (NICR) was different from the Voters Register, it has gone ahead to impose 'polling stations' on voters against their conscience by relying upon data captured in the NICR. This already makes the electoral exercise a sham. The EC does not expect people to travel long distances across the country to rectify its own incompetence. At best they will abstain from voting!

Secondly by this same method, the EC is preparing minors as eligible voters simply because they were captured in the NICR as aged 16. Its common sense that those born between April and December will not yet be of voting age by March 2016 even though they were 16 at the time of NICR.

We therefore, wish to reiterate to the good people of Uganda that our resistance against the current EC and how it conducts business is not farfetched. It's based on empirical evidence as illustrated herein. We advise the millions of Ugandans poised to miss out from voting because of these anomalies not to just sit back but take a firm legal action against the EC.

3.   Police Must Compensate Tortured Muslim Citizens

In our earlier communications we addressed the concerns of Muslim citizens reporting about police-inspired persecution and torture against them. A fortnight ago, the Inspectorate General of Police (IGP) ordered the release of some Muslim victims from irregular detention centers and to be taken for medical treatment.

First off, it's bad enough to hold suspects beyond the constitutionally stipulated 48 hours. But it is madness and illegal to subject any mere suspect to inhuman treatment such as we are witnessing innocent Muslims undergoing from police cells.  What the public saw two weeks ago is despicable of a civil police force in the 21^st century. Innocent people emerged from police hands with rotting limbs, body bruises and terribly ill. Thanks to the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) that enforced its constitutional mandate to demand their freedom.

It's therefore, not enough that the IGP instructs for the treatment of the victims. They must be compensated for the mental and physical abuse they suffered and the real criminals must be brought to book. The reparation must be suffered by the authors of these wanton actions and not drawn from the public coffers. 

It is imperative to note, however, that the chronic conduct of police against especially members of the Muslim community reflects a track record of NRM government's attitude towards this community in general.

Despite voting for NRM in previous elections, Muslims have largely been sidelined in public office appointments, their numbers notwithstanding. 

We, therefore, advise Muslims in Uganda, it's high time they thought of other viable political alternatives.  The only legitimate tool they can use to cause change of this status quo is the ballot paper—in case there can be a free and fair election. Even without this, there are other constitutionally acceptable avenues to bring about positive change. Think of supporting the new Democratic Alliance, (TDA.)  

FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY

         Compiled by Swaib Kaggwa Nsereko

         PARTY SPOKESMAN, JEEMA

    

 

 

  

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