Ian Clarke Busulwa on the campaign trail. Facebook.

Clarke is the first European to become a local official in Uganda, and holds both Irish and Ugandan citizenship.  He told the New York Times that he spent $50,000 on his campaign.

About 800,000 people live in Makindye, a suburb of Kampala.  Clarke campaigned largely on a development agenda, focusing on health and public service issues, such as water, pit latrines, and paved roads, the New York Times reported.

Makindye has several large slums, which suffer from critical sanitation issues.  Many families lack toilets, according to reports by New Vision.

Clarke was born in Northern Ireland’s Armagh, but has lived in Uganda for the past twenty years.  He founded Kampala’s International Hospital, and has managed it for 15 years.

The doctor campaigned on the creation of AAR Health Services, an insurance scheme that provides coverage at the International Hospital and other facilities, which he says is both sustainable and provides low-cost healthcare services.

Clarke is the first Ugandan-European to hold a local council seat.

Under AAR Health Services, one can get covered for unlimited outpatient services and hospitalization for only sh35,000 a month, or less than sh1,200 a day, according to reporting by the Daily Monitor.

Clarke, 59, is a family practice physician.  He first came to Uganda in 1987, as part of an Anglican mission.  He speaks some Luganda, but is not fluent.  However, he has taken on the Ganda name Busulwa.

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Initial stability during the Ugandan elections has gotten ugly. The mayoral race and local council elections have led to violence throughout the country. Ruarri Serpa.

Opposition candidates say the election was full of voter bribery and rigging, as well as intimidation by the military.

Independent candidate Samuel Lubega, Uganda Federal Alliance’s Beti Kamya, and the People’s Progressive Party candidate Jaberi Bidandi Ssali have also denounced the election results.

The European Union said disgruntled candidates should seek legal redress.  The Democracy Monitoring Group said elections were free and fair.

Yesterday’s local council elections erupted in violence throughout the country.  In Kampala, there was violence in Makindye, Mengo, Rubaga, Nansana, Bwaise, and Nakawa, as tension erupted between two mayoral candidates, independent Erias Lukwago and the NRM’s Peter Ssematimba.

Lukwago is the outgoing MP for Kampala Central.  The Electoral Commission cancelled the mayoral polls for now; a new date has not yet been announced.

Over 100 people were arrested over the violence in the mayoral campaigns, New Vision reported.  At least 28 have been injured, and taken to Mulago and Mengo Hospital for treatment.

In eastern Uganda, violence broke out in local council elections in Budaka, Kibuku, and Jinja, largely over allegations of ballot-stuffing.  Charles Kadyama, a local council 5 candidate in Kibuku, was beaten into a coma late on Tuesday night by several armed men.  Four police officers in Kibuku were also injured when their patrol car was stoned late on Tuesday night.

In West Nile, arrests were made over bribing voters in Paidha and Zombo.

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By Samuel Ouga

Police and military are at all-time levels of deployment in Kampala. Ruarri Serpa.

Voters during the general elections. Ruarri Serpa.

Miliatary roadblocks were a common feature of the Dr. Milton Obote and Idi Amin eras.  They were also common in war zones during the insurgency period in the current NRM regime’s early years.  Soldiers, with a reputation for ruthlessness, manned the roadblocks then.

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Kampala (Ugandans Abroad)– Despite reports of mismanagement and disorganization at several polling stations, Uganda is largely calm and organized after the general elections last Friday.

Edward Echwalu.

“People did not get what they expected,” said Dhizaala Chryizostom, a voter from Kamuli, late on Friday night. “They expected violence, and so far, there is none.” 

Locations with troubled pasts, especially around Kampala, have showed no signs of violence or rioting. 

The Daily Monitor did report arrests in Jinja, Iganga District, and Gulu Municipality over election violence, bribing, and influencing voters on the part of polling agents.  Election monitors also said they were told to expect riots in Mbale. “They weren’t even trying to hide it,” said an election monitor from California. “We were told straight up that there was going to be rioting.”

By late Saturday, however, there were no signs of mass violence in Mbale, but The Observer reported two deaths after the military fired shots at Budadari West MP Nandala Mafabi’s car for unknown reasons.

Edward Echwalu.

Uganda’s general elections in 2006 were characterized by violence and intimidation, as noted by the Supreme Court in its 4-3 rejection of Besigye’s protest of the results. 

Riots erupted before the election in 2006, sparked by the arrest of Kizza Besigye on charges of rape and treason. Following the official results, police fired tear gas at Besigye supporters in Kampala.

Last Friday, voting was conducted peacefully, with only minor issues. Voters at several polling stations in Kawempe complained of the long lines caused by missing names on the voter registration lists.

“From what I see, 40% of people in this zone have not been able to find their names on the lists,” said Mathias Murumba, LC1 chairperson for the Corner Zone, in Kawempe. Dozens of voters left the Corner Zone, citing the wait as their reason for not voting.

“There are long lines, and the names are disorganized,” said Mubiru Ababakarm, a discouraged voter in Kawempe, who waited in two separate lines. “People are standing here for hours, and told to check another station. I’m deciding to leave.”

One election monitor, who had visited several polling stations early in the morning, said ballots and boxes were missing as late as 12 pm around Kawempe. The Electoral Commission paid boda-boda drivers USH10,000 to have boxes delivered before voting was scheduled to begin.

Michael Kakumirizi, a photojournalist for Red Pepper, was cut on the head when a fight broke between FDC and NRM supporters in Aloi Subcounty, Aleptong district. Edward Echwalu.

In Kamuli Township, there were complaints of privacy at some voting stations, including the lack of privacy afforded by the basins, or missing basins altogether.

“We just marked the ballots on open tables, after walking some distance from where we received them,” said Alibonaki Proscovia.

The atmosphere after closing time at Peoples’ Plaza voting center in Kampala was tense, but without any violence. Voters and polling agents began arguing about where the votes should be counted.

As workers began to sort the ballots, the police directed the polling station workers to help calm the crowd.

The crowd demanded the ballots be sorted closer to them, and police ordered the polling station workers to bring the ballots closer to the line of spectators. The sorters dropped some of the ballots, causing shouts from the crowd, as police stepped in to hold them back. The situation was brief, and it turned to laughter as the counters announced two ballots cast – one each for Otunnu, and Mao.

As unofficial tallies emerged on Friday night, the streets of Wandegaya were packed – with late night workers finishing the construction of an office building, groups of young people headed to the clubs, and bodaboda drivers awaiting their next fare.

At bars and restaurants, groups cheered, “Yes Ssebo!” with every announcement that Museveni was in the lead, although official results will not be released until Sunday night. In Kampala, police officers in blue and white camouflage uniforms sat in groups on cement walls and chatted on street corners.  Riot squads 30 strong, with helmets and full body armor, marched from one neighborhood to the next without incident.

By morning, the idle blue and white uniforms, and heavy riot gear gave way to the green camouflage and red berets of the UPDF.  “May God continue this peace,” said Chryizostom.

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A woman at the ballot box. Edward Echwalu.

By David Tash Lumu

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Edward Echwalu.

Last weekend, Dr. Besigye campaigned in Kampala, starting near Bulange and hosting a rally in Namugoona, accompanied by parliamentary and mayoral candidates, according to reporting by New Vision.  Joseph Mulwanyammuli, a former Buganda kingdom premier, also joined him.

Besigye called for calm in the elections, and asked his supporters to look at the armed forces as their brothers and sisters.  He also said that people in Uganda need to defend their rights.

“I am telling you that if the people who have the power to carry on a proper transition of power do not handle the process well, please stand up and defend your rights,” he said.

The Observer reported that the military will be more involved in this upcoming election than previous elections.  The military is coordinating security matters for the elections, according to the ministry of Internal Affairs.  However, the Electoral Commission told the Observer that they were not aware of this.

The army spokesperson said the military will play a supporting role for the police, but the recently created National Election Security Committee will be run by the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Aronda Nyakairima.  The Observer reported that some soldiers will wear police uniforms, while others will discreetly wear plain clothes.

While Besigye fans celebrated in Kampala’s streets, President Museveni reached out to the youth at Makerere University, promising to review its tuition fees, make sure poor students benefit from government scholarships, and introduce student loans.  “Why should we continue providing education expensively when countries like India are providing it cheaply?” Museveni said, according to reporting by New Vision.

How will northern Uganda vote?

Political analysts are combing data to figure out how different regions of Uganda will vote, from Buganda to northern Uganda.  The northern vote should be particularly interesting.  The NRM might gain votes due to stability and improvements in infrastructure, while many might vote for Mao, who is the popular Gulu district chairman.  Opposition politicians argue that the NRM cannot take credit for the end of the conflict.

“I don’t think Museveni can claim credit for peace. He fought for 20 years and there was no peace. Peace came through peace talks initiated by religious leaders,” James Abala, a DP candidate for district councillor in Nwoya, told the Observer.

Could Kampala ever become Cairo or Tunis? With high youth unemployment and corruption, some Ugandans may be willing to die for change.  A leaked document from candidate Olara Otunnu’s campaign team showed calls for Ugandans to engage in similar demonstrations:

“It is no longer secret that Ugandans are just eager to go the Egyptian and Tunusian style against the Museveni regime… Otunnu revisited the biblical journey of Israelite s from slavery in Egypt.  ’God said let my people go’. They moved on. the chase by the Pharaoh didn’t stop them. Even the Sea could not stop them from the liberation treck. what are you waiting for?’ ‘They waved their hands high and answered we  are now ready to go’.

They are about to get to Kampala. Let us use our civil rights to liberate our country from the 25 years of enslavement.  The President started this call from, Arua, at the Congo border with Sudan through, West Nile, Acholi, Lango, Bukedi, Mbale, Tororo, Jinja and off to the city centre Kampala where the main action will take place from.”

Despite such calls, Kampala may not become a Tunis or Cairo.  The Ugandan military is very different from the Egyptian military.  The UPDF is closely linked to President Museveni, and many high-level officers support the regime.  Still, few expected President Mubarak’s regime to tumble.

The future is up to the Ugandan people, and the diaspora is eager to see how elections will begin to play out this Friday.

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Ugandans Abroad (New York)– Although Ugandans in the diaspora are not allowed to vote in the elections through an absentee ballot, politically-minded Ugandans living abroad are still finding ways to participate in political life back home.

Godfrey Sekisonge, a U.K. diaspora political activist, is supporting Norbert Mao in elections this month. The diaspora cannot vote, but they are still finding ways to get involved.

One such person is 38-year-old Godfrey Sekisonge, a U.K.-based member of Uganda’s Democratic Party.  The father of four lives in London, and has been involved in local British politics, contesting for a council seat last May.

He has been based in the U.K. for the past six years.  Before that, he lived in Austria since 1996, but he and his wife wanted to raise their children in an English-speaking country, and they decided to move.

Sekisonge, a lifelong member of the Democratic Party, fled Uganda in 1996, when he said the government was persecuting members of the opposition.  “There was a lot of repression against many of us who had campaigned against the government,” he said.  “A few friends lost their lives, others were imprisoned.  Some of us decided to leave the country for our own good.”

He was raised in Kalangala, in the Ssese Islands.  His whole family is involved with the Democratic Party, and Sekisonge plans to travel to Uganda shortly to join the campaign trail.  “I am born, bred, and will die DP,” Sekisonge told Ugandans Abroad cheerfully about his political background.  “I will be very happy to have a DP flag put in my coffin.”

A major draw for the politics-loving activist is DP’s history.  “DP is a founding party of Uganda,” he said.  “We’re a party always on the people’s side.  Our symbol is a hoe.  Almost the majority of Ugandans’ livelihood is based on farming.  The hoe is our life.  We are the party for the poor… championing the cause of the common man.”

Norbert Mao is currently the Democratic Party’s president.  Paul Ssemogerere led the party for a quarter-century, and John Ssebaana Kizito followed him after his retirement.  After Idi Amin was overthrown in 1979, the Democratic Party became a major political force in central Uganda.  Mao, the president of the party today and a presidential candidate, is the Local Council 5 chairman for Gulu district. His parents represent two different parts of Uganda—Mao’s father is an Acholi, and his mother is a Munyankole.

Norbert Mao campaigns in Mukono.

Sekisonge is drawn to Mao because of his freshness as a candidate.  He feels Mao comes from a generation that is not guilty of Uganda’s past sins, and can lead Uganda to a new chapter.  “Norbert Mao is symbolic of change, given his background with a father from northern Uganda, and a mother from western Uganda,” he said.  “He is the only candidate who doesn’t need an interpreter where he goes.”

Although he is living abroad, Sekisonge has been inspired by the political events recently on the African continent, such as Tunisia and Egypt.  He feels these events have important lessons for Uganda’s leaders.  “What happened in Tunisia and now Egypt is an eye-opener,” he said.  “The people cannot accept to be ruled by dictators.  Museveni has served the country generously, he has done his own part.  He has to go now.”

Major issues that touch him deeply back home are healthcare, education, unemployment, poor infrastructure and corruption have led to his support of the opposition.  “If you have an accident in Uganda, it’s like being sentenced to death,” he said.  “You go to any hospital, and you can’t believe we’ve had a stable government for the past 24 years.”

Although Sekisonge appreciates the work of other opposition candidates, he still finds Mao’s fresh candidacy the most appealing.  “He is not a product of fighting and the army,” he said.  “There will no retribution, no revenge.  He is a product of elections and he is the leader of our generation.”

Betty Nambooze is another prominent member of the Democratic Party in Uganda.

Sekisonge hopes others in the diaspora should get involved in politics back home.

“Continue to be focused, don’t lose hope.  East to West, home is best.  Our destination is Uganda,” he said.  “It is incumbent upon all of us in the diaspora to make sure we support good governance for the change that we need in the country.  Support the country, financially, intellectually, and don’t forget the people you left there.”

Rebecca Harshbarger is a journalist based in New York.  She used to work in Uganda.  You can follow her on twitter at rebeccaugust, or shoot her an e-mail at rebecca.jane.harshbarger (at) gmail.com.

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Kampala (Ugandans Abroad)– When it comes to elections, Kampala goes amok with violence. It is a period where all sorts of operatives come to the fore, apparently to show their master—the incumbent—how loyal they are. But in an interesting turn of events, the presidential and parliamentary race has been by and large—peaceful.

Besigye campaigns in Mbarara. Edward Echwalu.

Perhaps riddled with fear that the opposition might use his errors to rally the masses and the international community to force him out when he wins—wrongly or rightly—President Museveni, the ruling NRM candidate has tried to minimize bad campaign practices, at least for now.

In the past elections, 2001 and 2006, the president’s main challenger, Dr. Kizza Besigye, was arrested and his supporters beaten thoroughly by the infamous Kalangala action group militias—headed by Museveni’s aide, Kakooza Mutale.  This time ’round, Museveni’s strategy is extremely friendly.

During campaigns, people assemble peacefully, and candidates, including Museveni, observe the electoral laws.  Campaigns stop at 6 p.m, as the Electoral Commission prescribed.

In fact, the media has been bored this time round—no drama, limited chaos and no candidate has been arrested yet.  On the streets, citizens are often discussing European soccer than the expected: who will be the next president? Even the media runs with headlines, which are totally far from campaigns—such as the list of top performing students in primary leaving exams.  Reason: no drama in campaigns.

On February 18, Ugandans will choose their president after a tight-race that has seen seven contestants comb villages across the country soliciting for support.

Winnie Byanyima, the wife of Besigye on leave from the UN, gives an interview on the Nile River to an Observer journalist. Edward Echwalu.

Interestingly, this election comes at a time when stakes are so high. Like in North Africa—Egypt and Tunisia, citizens are now in charge of their affairs—vehemently dictating how they should be governed and who they want to do it.

Here in Kampala, many observers, have already predicted that the absence of drama and chaos during the campaigns might birth a shocker—especially when the overall winner is the incumbent—Museveni.

And just like Kenya in 2007, the situation in Uganda might be worse—mainly at this time when people have clear-cut examples in North Africa to draw lessons from.

Already, Besigye has declared that he would not go to court if his victory is rigged by Museveni.  What will he do? “This is not my battle alone. It is a battle for all Ugandans. And it is Ugandans who will decide,” said Besigye, who has insisted that he will tally and announce his own results.

Yet, as if to prepare for the inevitable, the police has already imported tons of tear gas, armored vehicles, and anti-riot utilities.  It has recruited willing citizens under the scheme of community policing.

“We are ready,” Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura, the Inspector General of Police told journalists recently.

On the other hand, the Electoral Commission boss, Eng. Badru Kiggundu, has also issued a warning to Besigye—specifically advising him to abandon his project of announcing results.

This warning has also been amplified by the incumbent, Museveni.

“No one is allowed to announce results apart from the chairman of the Electoral Commission,” Museveni said.

The opposition thinks that the votes might be rigged. They front the  refusal by the Electoral Commission to provide voters’ cards, which they say might play well in the hands of their opponent—Museveni.

One opposition candidate, Olara Otunnu (UPC), has collected signatures from people across the country that he hopes to use in court shortly after elections to challenge the independence of the Electoral Commission.

That aside, another collision is shaping up between the Electoral Commission and over 70 MPs.  The Constitutional Court directed these MPs to vacate their seats, and called for their nominations to be cancelled by the electoral body.  These MPs are blamed for breached Article 83 of the Constitution, when they crossed to various parties without first resigning from parliament.

However, they have appealed against the Constitutional ruling to the Supreme Court. But if the Supreme Court upholds the ruling, the Electoral Commission will have to re-print the ballot papers to expunge their names off.  This may demand the extension of the polling date from February 18.

One of such MPs is Beti Olive Kamya, a presidential candidate on the Uganda Federal Alliance (UFA) ticket.  Kamya, is now recuperating from intestinal complication in hospital—a threat that might keep her out of campaigns for a while.

However, as Kamya continues to struggle with the illness, other contenders are busy trying to consolidate their support in these few remaining days of campaigns.

Museveni is in Buganda, a region viewed as too hostile to fully support him—especially at this time when relations between central government and the Kabaka-led Buganda Kingdom are at an all-time low.

Besigye is in the western part of the country, a region largely viewed as Museveni’s stronghold. However, this support might be swayed by Besigye after his wife, Winnie Byanyima, who took leave from her UN job to storm the campaigns.

A woman in Moyo district at a Besigye campaign rally flashes the V sign. Edward Echwalu.

Other contenders, DP’s Nobert Mao, PDP’s Abed Bwanika, Otunnu and Independent, Sam Lubega, are also making last minute inroads in an already divided electorate—between Museveni and Besigye.

Opinion polls, have however, billed Museveni to retain the presidency with many ranking him at 60% while giving Besigye as little 14%.  Will 2011 live up to to the public’s expectations, as well as that of the media? We’ll have to find out.

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New York (Ugandans Abroad)– Uganda will hold presidential and parliamentary elections on February 18^th, an event many have been closely anticipating since the last election.  People from all regions of Uganda, as well as all walks of life, will participate in the vote.  However, a major bloc of voters will be disenfranchised from the elections: the international Ugandan community.

Despite being citizens, Ugandans working and studying abroad cannot vote in the February 18th elections.

Despite the introduction of dual citizenship for those living in the diaspora, citizens working abroad cannot vote in the elections.

Although groups like the Rwandan and Sudanese diasporas were able to take part in elections and the referendum, respectively, Ugandans living abroad are not allowed to vote at any of the Ugandan missions around the world.

In article 59 of the Ugandan constitution, the document stipulates, “every citizen of eighteen years and above has a right to vote and a duty to register as a voter for public elections or referenda.”  The Constitution also mandates that “the State must take all necessary steps to ensure that all citizens qualified to vote register and exercise their right to vote.”

Ugandans working, studying and living abroad are still Ugandan, whether they live in Boston, London, or Beijing.  They are not a small or inconsequential group—almost one million Ugandans live outside of Uganda, according to a 2009 World Bank report. Ugandans in the diaspora keep their culture alive and promote it all over the world, from Independence Day celebrations in New York City to church sermons in Waltham.

Ugandans make their relatives and friends back home proud through their achievements abroad in medicine, science, education, literature, business, music, and sports.  The diaspora is a hard-working group that contributes strongly to their motherland’s economic development.  Last year, they sent home more than an estimated sh1.7 trillion, as well as similar amounts in previous years.  Ugandans abroad invest in the private sector back home, and also encourage individuals and companies in other countries to invest in Uganda.

The diaspora also create and support charitable organizations that build schools, health centers, and protect the environment, among other causes, back home.

In the spirit of taking part in the next and future elections, Ugandan diaspora organizations have created a petition that they plan to share with the attorney general.  Many community organizations have signed on, from the Uganda North America Association to the Ugandan American Association of New York, the International Community of Abanyakigezi, and many others.

“I am a citizen,” said Pius Bugembe, chair of the Ugandan American Association of Greater New York, when the petition was launched.  “It is your right and duty to vote.  The diaspora must vote.”

If interested in supporting elections for all Ugandans, please sign the petition electronically at http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/ugandandiasporavote.  For more information, please contact the Ugandan American Association of Greater New York atuaagny11@gmail.com.

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Visitors to Uganda next month need to be extra careful, due to the general elections.

Check out their statement here:

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