Conflict arises as parliamentary candidates get nominated in Kyenjojo District

It was drama at the registrar’s office in Kyenjojo as NRM flag bearer for mwenge north consistency Mr. Muhumuza Daudi handed his nomination papers to the electoral office for the parliamentary seat for mwenge north consistency.

The conflict rose due to Hon. Tom Butime former Member of Parliament for the same consistency denied the candidature of mr.Muhumuza Daudi as NRM flag bearer for the consistency. Mr. Butime had contested the NRM primary elections result saying that mr.Muhumuza Daudi was not supposed to be the NRM flag bearer for mwenge north consistency due to the irregularities which occurred during the NRM primary elections for Flag bearers though the he had been declared a flag bear by the NRM office.

Another candidate who was nominated for mwenge north consistency parliamentary seat was mr.Kalija Cats for FDC while Linda Timbigamba was nominated as women member of parliament on NRM ticket, whereas Joyce Kwebiha, Kabasinguzi Teresa , Kensime Miriam were nominated as independents for women member of parliament for Kyenjojo District. More information still coming by Robert Nyaika focal person election monitoring Integrated Women development Program (IWDP)

RIC-NET STAFF JOINS KALI, IWDP & GHFRD TO EVALUATE A TWO YEAR EU/HIVOs FUNDED PROJECT IN THE RWENZORI REGION

Rweco members have started evaluating the two year EU/HIVOs funded project. The project was initiated way back in November 2008 and has lasted for two years. The aim of this project was to enhance the civic competence of the citizens to participate in the local government planning and feedback process and demand for accountability in order to influence service delivery.

During the evaluation, Rwenzori Information Centers Network presented their success stories as per result area as follows:

1. Building the capacity of the citizens to participate in local government planning and demand for accountability

· Documentation

Posters 4 Editions (500 copies each)

Newsletters 7 Editions (500 copies each)

Banners 9 different banners

Video Documentaries 2 Editions

Blogs http://rwecovoice.blogspot.com

Documentation of partner activities e.g. Kisangi primary school, Rwentaiki Primary school (IWDP) Public expenditure audit (GHFRD, KALI, IWDP)

· Information sourcing

Collection of Sub county development plans from 20 sub counties and 3 district plans

· Sharing information with the world and the community

NGO News Africa http://www.ngonewsafrica.org/?p=718

New vision 3^rd October 2010, Kanyampara water channel http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/18/733904

All Africa.com

http://allafrica.com/stories/201010040296.html

· Radio talkshows:disscusing community projects in the sub development plans

2. Capacity Building of LG and CSOs to account to the community for better service delivery

} 8 trainings on ICT use with LG and CSOs

} 4 trainings on the IEC materials with CSOs

} 1 training CSO portal

Evidence http://kasesenews.blogspot.com/2010/10/training-on-e-library-for-kasese.html

http://rwecovoice.blogspot.com/2009/12/adding-mobile-component-to-e-society.html

} Physical equipments to the Local Government to kick start the E-Society Centre; http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Technology/-/688612/816942/-/tv6sdf/-/index.html

http://www.i-network.or.ug/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=350

} Continuous Computer Literacy training to individual users from the District Local Government and the CSOs to the E-Society ICT Centre; http://kasese.ning.com/profiles/blogs/the-csos-portal-training

} Platforms development for Information sharing;

http://www.kasesecso.org/ - Kasese CSOs Portal

http://www.kasese.go.ug/ - Kasese District Website

http://kaseseelibrary.org - Kasese District E-Library

http://dgroups.org/iicd/kasese - Kasese Community D- Group

http://kasesenews.blogspot.com/ - Kasese District News Blog

http://rwecovoice.blogspot.com/ - CSOs News Blog

http://www.kabaroledistrict.go.ug/ -Kabarole District Website

Documentation for District Content.

Documented UNAID-HIV/AIDS survey statistics for Kasese district, Health department and computer was given to the district.

3. Participating CSOs have improved capacity to influence LG service delivery

· Have trained participating organizations to use ICT tools as platforms for Information sharing;

Letter of Appreciation and recognition;

http://ric-netnews.blogspot.com/2010/09/appreciation.html

http://rwenzoriruralhealthservices.blogspot.com/

http://ric-netnews.blogspot.com/2010/10/kasese-cso-portal-trainingp-by-erastus.html

http://kasese.ning.com/

— Trained CPFs on how to document and take pictures;

— Have Built a D-group & other platforms where CSOs and citizens have shared issues concerning services delivery e.g. Discussion on dividing Kasese District; http://dgroups.org/ViewDiscussion.aspx?c=06190e42-e0f5-4576-9b4d-18637aa0016b&i=6e4890c5-2d65-4a01-aff2-db3d89d15b55

— Helped participating CSO to identify and procure the ICT equipments; such as setting up the Local Area Network (LAN) for KALI

4. Improved dialogue between LG and CSOs

· Held round table meetings to discuss: what info, how it’s needed, in what form. This was to help LG, CSOs and citizens identify how dialogue can be realized.

· Concept of E-Society where LG, CSOs and Citizens have started using the platforms for sharing information.

· Joint assessment of I.C.T needs and tools to be used; referred to ICT Needs assessment report.

· Joint radio talk shows with LGs and CSOs

ELECTION MONITORING OBSERVATION REPORTS FROM MWANZA REGION

Team of East African observers mainly from Uganda;Ikwe Benson,Angela Byangwa,Sam Rukiidi and Sanza John arrived at Star Max Hotel in Mwanza at 1.45 P.m 25^th October 2010 . The team was received cordially by the Hotel management and later on was joined by Eziekel Masanja Tanzania country election observation coordinator.

26^th October 2010

The team which had been joined by Salome Nduta from Kenya attended two events ;1)Mwanza Media reporters and CSOs representatives meeting from 9.00A.m to 1.30 P.m at G& G Hotel in Mwanza which was organized by MPI.

2) CCM Presidential flag bearer campaign rally Mr.Kikwete the incumbent president at Nyamagana Mwanza city.

In the meeting which was also attended by local observers ,Media reporters were argued to ensure that their code of conduct is seen to be observed as they execute their duties and obliged to the following;

• Ensure impartial, fair and balanced coverage of elections and give equitable access to all candidates and political parties because it is in the national and people's interest to do such.

• Promote unity ,peace and stability

• Commit themselves to be seen positively contributing to achieving free and fair elections by developing the capacity of their media institutions as opposed to sighting violence.

On the contrary Journalists reiterated that their professionalism has been compromised with. Thus Journalists have resorted to working for survival other than holding to professional ethics.

In conclusion Journalists were asked to up hold to the principles of preserving; self Integrity, Objectivity, Independence and profession due care in the execution of their duties.

CCM Presidential campaign rally conducted by the incumbent president his excellence Kikwete was held in the open space in Nyamagana.The rally had a large crowd full of excitement dressed in the party yellow and green attire;T-shirts caps,kangas and flags, chanting party slogan ;ushindi ni laziima(winning is a must).The president landed in a chopper at a play ground in the neighbour hood and picked by a fleet of six vehicles to the campaigning venue.

Two of the vehicles were green, a party colour.

CCM ,Kikwete Presidential campaign rally at Nyamagana on 26th October 2010.

The rally had a live band that kept crowd energized. Despite his campaign speech taking short time of about 25minutes, people started leaving the venue when he was half way .Among others the President appealed to voters vote for him and his party parliamentary flag bearers. The environment was calm and the rally ended well without any harassment at 6.10 P.m.

27th October2010

The team which had been joined by Thadea Karekezi went to Buswelu in Ilemela constituency and found the CCM rally had just ended. Nevertheless few people mostly women were still there chanting party songs of victory whom we interviewed together with the area party chairperson and all expressed support of the incumbent party flag bearers.
Thereafter we followed the contestant Mr.Diallo to pasiasi where his day's next rally was to take place .
As we waited till 4.00 p.m in vain, we decided to move to Igogo Nyamagana constituency to observe an opposition rally of a CHADEMA parliamentarian flag bearer.
The rally was collaborated by both CHADEMA and CUF parties .CHADEMA flag bearer was campaigning for parliamentary seat while CUF flag bearer was for councilor seat.

The rally was held in Igogo Mwanza city congested suburb area and not in an open place.
People in attendance had budges, flags and posters for both parties; CHADEMA and CUF.


Below is CHADEMA Parliamentary campaign manager at a rally at Igogo in Nyamagana constituency

CHADEMA Parliamentary flag bearer Mr.Wenje at his rally in Igogo ward in Nyamagana.

There were more men than women and the youth were many and calm. Despite the rally taking long, people stood eagerly listening amidst rain drizzles.
To note at this rally there were people dressed in CCM party attire but no chaos ensued.

General observation;

Visiting the Landing site at Lake Victoria in Mwanza, people transacting business normally and same is true for social centres to mention;Kirumba Resort and Shooters pub.
In the catholic parish church no politicking is being preached other than praying for peace, unity, free and fair elections.

28th October 2010

The Team which had been joined by Mudakikwa John an observer from Rwanda moved to Magu District Head Quarters with the guidance of the Local observers; Vicent Ludomya and Sylvester Kakinda and met among others the District Executive Director (Returning Officer) and the District commissioner.
The District Executive Officer had this to say ;
That there are two constituencies under his jurisdiction namely Magu and Busega
Magu has 18 wards with 369 polling stations and Busega has 13 wards with 258polling stations making a total of 627 polling stations.
Registered voters are 230,889.
The District executive director moved the team to the store which housed the voting materials which were found well packaged and ready for distribution.

Magu District Executive Director Mr.Ngundungi with a team of observers in stores for electoral materials receiving a phone call.

The team further had an interaction with the District Commissioner whom we were informed that is in charge of security. She appreciated the presence of observers and pledged her support to the team.

She explained that there are five parliamentary flag bearer candidates representing; CUF, CCM, CHADEMA,UPD and NLD in Magu.Four parties;CCM,CHADEMA,CUF and UDP are being contested for in Busega.

She assured the team of maximum security and that there was no cause for alarm.

The team was further informed that there are ten returning officers at the District Headquarters under whom are thirty one assistant returning officers at ward levels.

Team with Magu District commissioner M/s Zainabu

Voter's awareness;

The district executive director observed that there has been extensive voter education advertisement by both the CSOs and the Government. He pointed out that:

1. sample ballot papers were already displayed in every polling station, a claim confirmed by local observers

2. sensitization of the masses on ballot paper and voter education generally was going on through media and ward level interactions with electoral officials and civil society

Readiness of the NEC officials in the area to conduct election

On whether the district election officials and the NEC was ready, Mr. Cornelius Ngundungi, the District Executive Director (DED) who is also the Returrning Officer for the 2 constituencies of Magu and Buseka in Magu district, assured us that his team was more than ready for the electios:

• a team of 41 Assistant Returning Officers (10 at the district HQs and 31 others at the division level) has been assembled to man elections

• training of polling officials has already been conducted at all levels

• Electoral materials have already been packaged ready for transportation to the divisions and wards the next day. We were conducted to the electoral materials storehouse and we saw the materials securely sealed with serialized seals, transparent and serialized ballot boxes, each sealed with voter materials, destined for specific polling stations

• Electoral materials included ballot papers, voter lists and registers, t-shirts and identification tags for officials.

• a state of the art IT modern tally center, was being set up and expected to be ready by 30^th October 2010, to facilitate consolidation of votes from polling stations and transmission to NEC HQs

• The DED has established a conflict resolution committee to deal with complaints and complaints handling mechanisms which involved political parties involved.

Copies of code of conduct for political parties` aspirants were given to observers.

Consolidation of votes.

The District executive Director explained that;

• Vote accounting shall done at spot on the voting day evening.

• For councilors results shall be declared at the polling centre

• For parliamentarian results shall be counted at each polling centre and there after consolidated at the constituency level.

• Presidential votes shall be counted at polling centre and later on consolidated district level and eventually be sent to National level where they shall be declared.

Sabasaba campaign rally ;

A discussion with the campaign manager of UDP and two other colleagues indicated that CCM was favored by the electoral commission because they were interfering with the schedule of party rallies and no action was being taken. This has resulted into some of the youth supporters of the party being arrested.

An excited campaign supporter waiting for CHADEMA parliamentary flag bearer at sabasaba dancing on top of a moving car.

Compiled by;

Sanza John, Mwanza

Edited and uploaded by;

Bwambale Edwin, Dar es Salaam

The RWECO/CEW-IT team leaves for Tanzania to participate in election observation

Members of the CEW-IT from Uganda team at the Legal and Human Right Centre (LHRC) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

A team of 15 members from RWECO in Uganda arrived yesterday in Tanzania to observe the country’s national elections scheduled for October 30th.2010 to main offices ensure free and fair elections. The team set off from Entebbe air port at 12; 00pm aboard the precision airways and reached Mwanza at 1:00pm where three of the members remained and the rest proceeded to Arusha Zanzibar and Dares- Salaam respectively. The group of five people left Mwanza airport at 5: 00pm in the evening and arrived at Julius Nyerere International airport at 700 pm from where they were picked by the team from Legal and Human Rights Center the lead organization in election monitoring and taken to Landmark hotel where they were accommodated. According to our observations and sharing from the few people we managed to interact with, the incumbent president from the CCM party is dominating with most of his posters around and one can hardily notice the posters of the other candidates though we can not make a conclusion now. The team will be briefed on the whole process by Dr. Rose Mwapopo before they can participate in the different political rallies

Members at one of the CCM rally in Dar es Salaam

1.3 Billion Ugandan shillings from HIVOs and OXFAM NOVIB to boost RWECO electoral monitoring process. By Timothy & Godfrey

HIVOs and Oxfam NOVIB has committed 1.3 billion Ugandan shillings to boost the electoral monitoring process in the Rwenzori region, west Nile, Soroti, and Gulu. This was revealed by Mr. James Mwirima the coordinator of the project while closing two day training for election observers. Mr. James Mwirima said that he was delighted to have received funding to the tune of 1.3 Billion Uganda Shillings from the two development partners HIVOS and OXFAM NOVIB to facilitate monitoring of the electoral process in Uganda. The coordinator was very grateful to the timely contribution from the development partners and promised to put the money to good use.

In his brief communication Mr. James Mwirima re-emphasized the need for the neutrality of observers while monitoring elections. He warned them not to conflict with the law. He argued the observers to provide daily updates about elections to their respective focal persons or directly to the website which has been created by RIC-NET to enhance the information sharing about electoral process. To this, Rwenzori Information Centers Network (RICNET) will provide serialized phone numbers to all observers to facilitate the communication process. It was further revealed that RWECO secretariat was going to be revamped with two more staffs to help in the running affairs of the secretariat.

On its part, RWECO is handling the issue of accreditations of its observers with the electoral commission.
As part of the campaign to access electoral process information, regional data centers will be established in Fort portal for the western region, Gulu for the Northern region and Mbale for the Eastern region to relay regular update on elections.

The observers will be expected to attend rallies as part of the campaign to popularize the citizens Manifesto. To this they are required not only to attend all campaign rallies but even meetings at sub county level and facilitate debates between the aspiring candidates.

The coordinator ended with a strong warning to the observers to avoid reporting unverified claims for this will be of an embarrassment to the organisation. The observers, who were working with the electoral commission in any capacity, campaign agents, political assistants were told to resign immediately for they will not be tolerated as observers. With much emphasis on neutrality of election observers, Mr. James warned observers against wearing party colours, corruption and bribery noting that these compromise the integrity of the organisation

Informative training for election observers to monitor the pre and post election events in the Rwenzori region comes to an end. By Godfrey and Timothy

The two day workshop on electoral monitoring process for the Rwenzori region comes to an end. The workshop started on Wednesday 20th October 2010 at 9.30 am. Participants were drawn from RWECO partners Rwenzori Information Centers Network (RIC-NET) Karambi Action for Life Improvement (KALI), Rwenzori Anti- Corruption coalition (RAC), Good hope Foundation, Integrated women in development programme (IWDP), Kabarole research and resource Center (KRC), organizations operating in the seven districts of the region. The consortium is aimed at ensuring that there is free and fair elections in the Rwenzori region
A 2-day workshop on election monitoring process was organized By RWECO as a learning event for election observers for the forth coming general election in Uganda
From the workshop the emerging issues were focusing on the benefits of a democratic, free and fair election, the neutrality of the election commission and how the citizen’s participation will be guided. Below are the key issues that emerged from the discussions
1. It was a general belief that the democratic exercise/practice though expensive in the short run it is profitable in the long run
2. That democratic culture is infectious
3. That democratic fruits have to be tested by all citizens and that everybody has a right to participate in the process
4. That democratic system can only be as good the players(stakeholders) call for a thorough analysis of all key stakeholders and their contribution to the fairness of the electoral process
5. That electoral commission official often temper with results at the tallying stage an issue vehemently rejected by district registrars present. That the mismatch with the tallied results with those generated by candidates from their agents has always been a source electoral conflicts and violence.
6. The circumstances under which polling stations are gazette including issues of polling stations for soldiers on operation in areas were questioned by the participants. Wandering why there is always unnecessary deployment of soldiers in some areas who in turn vote.

7. The participants needed to know the contribution of the electoral commission to the enactment of electoral laws
8. Voter education was yet another serious emerging issue from the plenary. Participants asked for explanations as to why voter education is always delayed and rushed towards election. The this the response was delay in release of funds from the ministry of finance
9. Participants were not satisfied with the way the accreditation process has been handled. The rising issue was when the accreditation cards for observers will be released given the fact that the process is already behind time.
10. The other worry was that the electoral commission demand for identification tags for observers could be a ploy to block civil society organisations from observing the elections. To this, participants wanted clarification as to when cards will be ready and whether they will be ready in time.

Election Observers in the Rwenzori region under CEW-IT trained in the use of ICTs in the Monitoring election Process: By Timothy & Godfrey

It was an exciting day for election observers in the Rwenzori region under CEW-IT as they attended a two day training on how they will use the ICTs in the monitoring of the election process in the Rwenzori region .the training started today at 9.30 am at ST.Joseph’s conference centre- virika in Fort portal municipality Kabarole District. Participants at the training were drawn from RWECO partners RIC-NET, KALI, RAC, Good hope, IWDP, KRC, organizations operating in the seven districts of the region. The consortium is aimed at ensuring that there is a free and fair election process in the Rwenzori region. The consortium has sister organizations such as CEFRD in Gulu, PAC in Soroti, ACORD in west Nile.

Two day training on election monitoring process using IT was organized under five key objectives:
1. To orient election observers on the use of the USHAHIDI web monitoring plat form.
2. To Orient election observers with the citizens manifesto and discuss issues concerning the citizen manifesto in the Rwenzori
3. To have an over view of election laws and procedures
4. To have an over view of election history of Uganda
5. To equip election observers with tips on how to face the citizens during in the election monitoring process.

The facilitators mainly from the electoral commission-District Registrars from the districts of Kabarole,Kyenjojo and Bundibugyo led participants through an over view of electoral laws and procedures putting much emphasis on guidelines for monitoring and reporting during the nomination, campaign, voting, tallying and results declaration processes. During the presentation, the District registrars explained the mandate of the electoral Commission and the key laws governing the electoral process; namely the 1995 constitution of Uganda as amended. The presidential elections Act 2005, the parliamentary elections Act 2005, Local governments act (Cap 243), the electoral commission act (Cap 140), the Political parties and organizations act.

The district registrars from six of the districts of the Rwenzori region were able to give a distinquition between an election monitor and an election observer and where each derives its mandate. The key distinquition being that monitors have powers to cause remedial actions and this mandate is entrusted with the electoral commission officials while the observers do not have the mandate to intervene and change the course of the electoral process but only to observe and make reports to the electoral commission.

During the discussion, it was noted that fairness of the electoral process can not be determined by what transpires on the election/voting day alone arguing that the entire process should be analyzed right from the enactment of electoral laws to declaration of results. To this the participants were taken through out the electoral process and pointing out key areas of interest to be analyzed by observers if they were to measure the fairness of an election.

The importance of working with the Electoral Commission in voter education and election monitoring was highlighted. Therefore organizations should have a relationship with the commission that is not antagonistic to achieve better outcomes. The issue of neutrality was emphasized and observers argued not to take political sides.

While presenting on the overview of electoral history of Uganda and east Africa, which highlighted the turmoil east Africa has gone through, Mr. Gwada Ogot noted that the power of the people should be respected by politicians. He noted that what happens in the neighboring country affects the other citing a clear example of the recent Kenya elections whose impact is still being felt to date by not only Kenya but also her neighbors Uganda inclusive. The over view clearly showed the interdependence and role of key players in the democratic process noting that the process can only be as good as the players (stakeholders) Involved.

The documentary on the citizen manifesto was viewed by participants highlighting keys issues of importance to the citizens. The citizen manifesto is premised on the principle that citizens interests are primarily for the state’s survival and security, the pursuit of wealth and economic growth and power and preservation of national heritage and culture. The manifesto puts citizens at the fore front of shaping the agenda of politicians and the political systems for which politicians and government should be working. It was observed that the lack of strategic thinking is the major reason why national policies often fail to be proactive and forward thinking. However, for the citizen manifesto philosophy to take root, the civic competence of citizens must be enhanced for them to be able to demand for what they deserve and hold the leaders accountable.

Finally participants were introduced to the use of IT in the monitoring process to foster information flow on incidents and disseminating results. The facilitator Mr. Emmanuel from the USHAHIDI web monitoring plat form highlighted how the web based system works and how the observers will use to report issues while observing the elections.