Today on New Scientist: 17 March 2010

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The Urgency of Lifting US-EU Sanctions on Zimbabwe: An Appeal to theWhite House, Senate and Congress

The Urgency of Lifting US-EU Sanctions on Zimbabwe

An Appeal to the White House, US Senate and Congress

At the behest of the African Union, the three political parties which
make up Zimbabwe’s parliament agreed to form an inclusive Government; this decision was embraced throughout Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Because of the political makeup of Zimbabwe’s Global Political
Agreement, the most vital aspect of the mediation between ZANU-PF and both factions of MDC, rested solely on the shoulders of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

The turning points in finalizing the Global Political Agreement
between ZANU-PF and both factions of MDC came when South African President, Thabo Mbeki was chosen as the mediator by SADC collectively, and Tanzania’s President, Kikwete was chairing the African Union. This demonstrated to the international community that SADC collectively was equally committed to resolving the political
conflict in Zimbabwe, as well as maintaining peace and stability
throughout the Southern region of Africa.

While the world majority was pleased to see Zimbabwe’s political
parties iron out their differences diplomatically, as opposed to
resorting to military means, both the British and US Governments have expressed an extreme level of skepticism when addressing this matter.

The Obama and Brown administrations as well as their EU allies
responded to the establishment of Zimbabwe’s inclusive government, by extending sanctions against the country for at least one more year, due to their inability to influence the outcome of the direction Zimbabwe’s leadership has chosen for its country and people.

The decision to extend sanctions against Zimbabwe also demonstrates a blatant disregard for the collective wishes of SADC, the African Union, and the Non Aligned Movement. The purpose of this appeal is to raise the following issues:

1. The organization and individuals who endorsed this appeal are
granted the opportunity to meet face to face with US President Barack
Obama and members of the CBC to discuss the repeal of the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act of December 2001.

2. US. President Barack Obama abandons the policy of exclusively
financing the office of Zimbabwe’s Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai
which is causing friction among the three parties that make up the
Global Political Agreement.

3. US. President Barack Obama should either invite Zimbabwe’s
President Robert Mugabe to Washington for a face to face meeting, or make plans to travel to Zimbabwe to discuss the lifting of ZDERA along with modalities for the finding of compensation in the land reform program, as was agreed to in the Lancaster House Negotiations of 1979-1980.

4. US. President Barack Obama calls for the National Endowment for
Democracy (NED) to cease financing civil society groups in Zimbabwe, which include disgruntled elements of the opposition who were not in favor of the establishment of Zimbabwe’s inclusive government.

5. US. President Barack Obama issue a formal apology to the Government and people of Zimbabwe concerning the 1,000 US mercenaries who fought along side the Rhodesian army during the second chimurenga (Zimbabwe’s liberation war).

6. US. President Barack Obama and the Congressional Black Caucus who voted in favor of ZDERA in 2001 spearhead repealing ZDERA which the US Senate and Congress passed in retaliation for the launching of Zimbabwe’s land reclamation program.

7. US. Secretary Of State Hillary Clinton and the US Ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice, work to establish a system to carefully monitor the activities of the US Embassy in Zimbabwe to ensure their behavior is in accordance with international law as it relates to diplomatic protocol.

8. US. Religious, Academic, Cultural and Business Institutions should be encouraged to establish and maintain people to people exchanges with Zimbabwe.

9. The First Lady, Michelle Obama, travel to Zimbabwe to see the
impact ZDERA has on Women and Children along with the Education and Health infrastructures. 10. US. President Barack Obama should discontinue the cycle of renewing the President’s Executive Order as it pertains to sanctions on Zimbabwe, which he renewed in March of 2009 and this year.

Submitted By Mr. Obi Egbuna
US Correspondent to the Herald (Zimbabwe’s National Newspaper) Washington, DC
Distinguished SNCC Alum, Mr. Mukasa Dada (formerly known as Willie
Ricks) Atlanta, Georgia
The American Indian Movement, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Initiated and Endorsed by:
The Shrine of the Black Madonna, Detroit, Michigan
The National Conference of Black Lawyers
Attorney Chokwe Lumumba, Chairman: New African Peoples Organization
Prince Asiel Ben Israel, President: A Better World Inc. Chicago, Illinois
Mr. Dhoruba Bin Wahad, Director: Institute for Development of Pan
African Policy Ghana Former US African American Political Prisoner
Dr. Molefi Asante, Professor: Department of African American Studies
Temple University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Ms. Cynthia McKinney, Former US Congresswoman/Green Party 2008
Presidential Candidate, Atlanta, Georgia
Ms. Belinda Sheppard, International Project Coordinator:
All Around The African World Museum, Lansing, Michigan
Mr. Curtis Mullin, Executive Officer: African American Council, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Mrs. Rashieda Weaver, All African Peoples Revolutionary Party, Guinee, Conakry
Attorney Mary Cox, Boston, Massachusetts
Attorney Michael Warren, NYC, New York
Dr. Lucille Norville Perez, Washington, DC
Distinguished SNCC Alum, Dr. El Senzengakulu Zulu, Founder of Ujamaa
Shule, Washington, DC
Mr. George Grace, Mayor of St Gabriel
President Emeritus National Conference of Black Mayors, Louisiana.
Ms. Shirley Rivens Smith, President: US-Africa Sister Cities
Foundation, Washington, DC
Mr. Omali Yeshitela, Chairman: African Socialist International,
Petersburg, Florida
Attorney Malik Shabazz, Chairman: New Black Panther Party, Washington, DC
US citizens residing in Zimbabwe against ZDERA
(Mr. Ramzu Yunus, Mr. Thomas Howie, Mr. Bruce Smith Jr, Mr. Ahmad
Smith, Ms. Velma Gwishiri)
Mr. Everesto Mabhuro, Zimbabwean National Residing In the UK Opposed To ZDERA
M1 (also known as Mutulu Olugbala of Hip Hop Group Dead Prez) Houston, Texas
Mr. Gerald Horne, Moores Professor of History African American
Studies: University of Houston, Texas
Dr. Ronald Zeigler, Director: Nyumburu Cultural Center, University of
Maryland College Park
Mr. Solomon Comissong, Assistant Director: Nyumburu Cultural Center,
University of Maryland College Park
Mr. Lathan Hodge, California
Dr. Norma Jackson, Director of International Program: Benedict College
Columbia, South Carolina
Dr. Peter Jackson, Professor: Benedict College Columbia, South Carolina
Mr. Hodari Abdul Ali, Give Peace a Chance Foundation, Washington, DC
Pastor Willie Wilson, Founder Union Temple Baptist Church, Washington, DC
Reverend Mmoja Ajabu, Minister of Social Concerns Light Of the World
Christian Church, Indianapolis, Indiana
Mr. Reason Wafawarova, Australian Correspondent to The Herald
(Zimbabwe’s National Newspaper)
Mr. Lorenzo Martin, Publisher: Chicago Standard Newspapers
Mr. William Reed, Black Press Foundation, Washington, DC
Mr. Abayomi Azikwe, Editor: Pan African News Wire, Detroit, Michigan
Mr. I.K. Cush, International Correspondent: New African Magazine, New York
Dr. Wilmer Leon, Political Scientist Info Wave Communications:
LLC/Executive Producer “On With Leon” Talk Show, Washington, DC.
Mr. Dedon Kamathi, Freedom Now WPFK, Los Angeles, California
National Black United Front Lansing, Michigan Chapter
Mr. Norman Richmond, Radio Producer/Host and Journalist Uhuru
Radio/Share/Our World Today Toronto, Canada
Mr. Netfa Freeman, (IPA) Social Action and Leadership School for
Activists, Washington, DC.
Ms. Joan Cambridge Guyana
Exodus Program (Mr. Taz Shabazz, Mr. Charles Lester, Ms. Janet Lewis,
Mr. James Stanback, Mr. Andrew Harris)
Mr. Omowale Adewale, President: Grass Roots Artists Movement, New York
City, New York
Mr. Louis Wolf co-founder Director of Research Covert Action Quarterly (1978-2005)
Mr. Gregory Elich, Author of Strange Liberators
Dr. Dorothy Blake Fardan, Department Of Behavioral Sciences, Bowie
State University Bowie, Maryland
Ms. Kimberly Howard, President: CIMARRONES, Howard University
Mr. Desta Aniywo, African Students Progressive Action Committee,
University of Maryland College Park
Black Nation in Germany
Pan African Liberation and Reparations Network In Germany
Zimbabwe Solidarity Network in Germany
African Refugees Association in Germany
SOS (Struggles of Students) in Germany
Mr. Jim Goodnow: Yellow Rose of Texas Bus for Peace
Dr. Anthony Browder, Director: IKG Cultural Recourse Centre, Washington, DC

African-American Farmers Update: Lawsuit Endorsement Letter to the U.S.Congress

Update on Black Lawsuit letter - endorsements

Wednesday, March 17, 2010 12:14 PM

From: “Heather Gray”

On behalf of the “Network of Black Farm Groups and Advocates” we thank all of you and your organizations for so kindly supporting and endorsing the effort to address the Black farmer settlement in Congress. Attached please find the edited letter with the present list of endorsements.

We will update you shortly on the efforts in Congress and what additional advocacy is needed. We will also continue seeking additional endorsements and thank you again so much for responding so quickly to our request.

Cooperatively yours,

Ralph Paige
Executive Director
Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund

NETWORK OF BLACK FARM ORGANIZATIONS AND ADVOCATES
Arkansas Land and Farm Development Corporation - Calvin King (870-734-1140)
Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association - Gary Grant (252-826-3017)
Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund - Ralph Paige (404-765-0991)
Land Loss Prevention Project - Savi Horne (800-672-5839)
Mississippi Family Farmer’s Association - Eddie Carthan (662-458-0983)
Oklahoma Black Historical Research Product, Inc. - Willard Tillman (405) 201-6624
Rural Advancement Fund - Georgia Good (803 378 9450)
United Farmers USA – Hezakeiah Gibson (803 410 2055)

NETWORK OF BLACK FARM GROUPS AND ADVOCATES

March 2010

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi The Honorable Harry Reid

Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives Majority Leader, U.S. Senate

Dear Madam Speaker and Mr. Majority Leader:

On February 12, 2010 President Obama sent to Congress an emergency proposal to amend the fiscal year 2010 budget to appropriate funding to settle claims for prior discrimination brought by Black farmers against the Department of Agriculture. The President’s submission included both the necessary legislative language and the OMB analysis of the proposal recommending that the President submit it to Congress.

This proposal was included with two other FY2010 supplemental appropriation proposals.

The proposal needs immediate action. In fact, Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack has stated that the deadline funding for the historic settlement of these claims, on which the proposal is based, is March 31. As you know, this settlement and the need for the funding are well documented and the legislation is in its final form. All Congress needs to do is schedule it for a floor debate and vote on it.

Please keep in mind that the deadline has a human face to it. Most of the late filers in the lawsuit against the USDA, for whom the settlement is to assist, are now older, many have retired and some are deceased. These Black farmers or their families have been waiting for close to ten years for a settlement of their case. Justice for these farmers simply cannot be delayed any longer.

Therefore, this letter is to urge you to do everything in your power to pass this emergency legislation by March 31.

cc:
President Barack Obama
Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack

Network of Black Farm Groups and Advocates - Pigford Settlement

Representative James Clyburn (D-SC), House Majority Whip
Representative David Obey (D-WI), Chair, House Appropriations Committee
Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-HI), Chair, Senate Appropriations Committee
Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS), Ranking Minority Member, Senate Appropriations Committee
Representative Charles J. Lewis (R-CA), Ranking Minority Member, House Appropriations
Committee
Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), Chair, Senate Agriculture Committee
Senator Saxby Chamblis (R-GA), Ranking Minority Member, Senate Agriculture Committee
Representative Collin Peterson (D-MN), Chair, House Agriculture Committee
Representative Frank D. Lucas (R-OK), Ranking Minority Member, House Agriculture
Committee
Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA), Chair, Congressional Black Caucus
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Senate Agriculture Committee
Representative Artur Davis (D-AL)
Representative Sanford Bishop (D-GA)
Representative G. K. Butterfield (D-NC)
Representative Bennie Thompson (D-MS)

NETWORK OF BLACK FARM ORGANIZATIONS AND ADVOCATES

Arkansas Land and Farm Development Corporation - Calvin King (870-734-1140)
Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association - Gary Grant (252-826-3017)
Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund - Ralph Paige (404-765-0991)
Land Loss Prevention Project - Savi Horne (800-672-5839)
Mississippi Family Farmer’s Association - Eddie Carthan (662-458-0983)
Oklahoma Black Historical Research Product, Inc. - Willard Tillman (405) 201-6624
Rural Advancement Fund - Georgia Good (803 378 9450)
United Farmers USA – Hezakeiah Gibson (803 410 2055)

Endorsing Organizations

Alabama State Association of Cooperatives
Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network
Alabama Appleseed
American Federation of Government Employees (AFL-CIO)
American Corn Growers Assosication
BK Farmyards
Black Men’s Health Initiative (North Carolina)
Border Agricultural Workers Project (Texas)
California Farmers Union (CFU)
California Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association
CASA del Llano, INC (Texas)
Center for Rural Affairs (Nebraska)
Community Vision Council
Concerned Citizens of Tillery (North Carolina)
Cooperative Network (Minnesota)
FARM AID
Farmworker Association of Florida, (Florida)
Food First/Institute for Food and Development Policy
Free all Political Prisoners & Prisoners of War
Greene/Sumter Enterprise Community, Inc. (Alabama)
Grassroots Economics Organizing (GEO) (Maryland)
Highlander Research and Education Center
Iowa Farmers Union
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
INTACT Community Development Corporation (New York)
League of Rural Voters
Malcolm X Commemoration Committee
Moratorium NOW! Coalition to Stop Foreclosures, Evictions & Utility Shut-offs
Missouri Rural Crisis Center
M.O.M.I.E’s TLC
National Farmers Union
National Grange
National Hmong American Farmers, Inc. (California)
National Latino Farmer and Rancher Trade Association (Washington, DC)
National Lawyers Guild
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
Nebraska Farmers Union
New England Farmers Union
North Carolina Environmental Justice Network
Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA)
Pan-African News Wire
Peace Train Coalition (New York)
Pennsylvania Farmer Union
Page Four - Network of Black Farm Groups and Advocates - Pigford Settlement
Renewing the Countryside (Minnesota)
Revelation of Hope Ranch, ministries (Michigan)
Rural Coalicion/Coalición Rural
Rural Development Leadership Network (New York)
Oklahoma Black Historical Research Product, Inc.
Pennsylvania Farmer Union
Sevananda Natural Foods Market
Sustainable Rural Regenerative Enterprises for Families (SURREF)
South Dakota Farmers Union
Southern Partners Fund
Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group
Texas Landowners Association
The Archile Webber Sr. Family of Oklahoma
The Area Wide Health Committee (North Carolina)
The Praxis Project
The Transformation Ministry
Truly Living Well Natural Urban Farms (Georgia)
The Rural Library Project Inc.
Veterans of the Mississippi Civil Rights Movement
WESPAC Foundation
WhyHunger? (New York)

Alicia Keys, John Legend Headline World Cup Gig in Johannesburg

Alicia Keys, John Legend headline World Cup gig in Johannesburg

Mar 17, 2010, 9:36 GMT

Johannesburg - US soul stars Alicia Keys and John Legend and Colombian pop diva Shakira are among the headline performers at a World Cup kick-off concert in Johannesburg on June 10, organizers said Wednesday.

US hip hop outfit Black Eyed Peas, Malian rock duo Amadou & Mariam and Beninese singer Angélique Kidjo will also take to the stage at Orlando Stadium in Soweto township, along with a number of other top South African and African acts, the world football body FIFA and the concert producer, Control Room, announced.

The concert is the first of its kind at the World Cup, which is being staged in Africa for the first time this year.

Around 30,000 people are expected at the gig, which will be broadcast to hundreds of millions of TV viewers worldwide, the organizers said.

Orlando Stadium is not one of the 10 World Cup stadiums but has been upgraded for use as a training venue during the June 11-July 11 tournament.

‘We are thrilled to have a concert of such magnitude and performing talent raise the curtain on the first FIFA World Cup in Africa, FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke said in a statement.

Control Room was the main organizer of the global Live Earth 2007 concerts.

Proceeds from the concert will be donated to FIFA’s 20 Centres for 2010 campaign, which aims to build 20 centres for football training and social services in disadvantaged communities across Africa.

Read more: http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/africa/news/article_1541629.php/Alicia-Keys-John-Legend-headline-World-Cup-gig-in-Johannesburg#ixzz0iSH4L66x

Two DYA Films Selected For Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival

Guam- Two films made by youth at  the Department of Youth Affairs, under the auspices of FYI ( Films by Youth Inside ) FILMS were selected to screen at the prestigious Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival. 

 

The films were funded by a special DYA grant, Pacific Islanders in Communications, Gannette PDN, and Rotary Club Sunrise Chapter.  Other key sponsors are Guahan Project and Pacific Islands Club.

" Our Path , Our Voice, Our Journey " is a short documentary film made by youth at the DYA  on GUAM.  This is the first doc film made by FYI FILMS- the youth wanted to express their personal perspective on their lives and future, as they feel that main stream society misunderstands them. " We want to make a doc, so that we are not invisible any more. When we are locked up,  and people don't know we exist. Well, we do, and we want people to know that we believe in a better future for ourselves".

" ALL YOU NEED IS BIG AUNTIE" is a short narrative the youth at DYA wrote. Six youth wrote the screen play, and the story is based on their own personal and/or immediate histories. The story tells the tale of a teen girl who , when oppressed by her socio economic circumstances, is tempted to solve her problems with a gun. When a DUENDES appears, to warn her of negative consequences, it is up to her to heed the advice of the wise and witty Duendes.  It takes Big Auntie to get her on the right path!

Last year the LAAPFF screened Shiro's Head, Under the American Sun, and Guam is Crying.  They have been very supportive of GUAM made films.

In addition to the LA screenings the FYI FILMS will also screen during LAW WEEK via a grant from GHC. The Films will be screened for law makers, policy makers, juvenile court judges, and social workers.

The FYI FILM WORKSHOP took place in August at DYA last year.  FYI FILMS was founded and created by Chamorro filmmaker Alex Munoz.  Project DIrector for FYI GUAM is Maria Ada Auyong. 

For more info on FYI FILM : www.fyifilms.org

Uganda News Bulletin: Protesters Killed After Burning of Tombs ofBuganda Kings

Protesters killed at Uganda tombs

At least two protesters have been shot dead by Ugandan police after they tried to stop the president from visiting the site of a fire at a royal mausoleum.

The protesters booed President Yoweri Museveni and set up a barricade to stop him from reaching the tombs at Kasubi.

The fire destroyed the tombs - a Unesco heritage site built in the 19th Century for kings of the Buganda region.

Supporters of Mr Museveni and Buganda’s King Ronald Mutebi have been at loggerheads since riots last year.

They fell out after the king - whose role is largely ceremonial - accused the government of blocking him from visiting a part of his kingdom.

At least 20 people died in riots linked with that incident.

And angry protesters and royal advisers have said they believe the tomb fire might have been arson.

Police say they are investigating what caused the blaze.

Buganda official Medard Ssegona Lubega described the fire as the “second biggest tragedy” in the kingdom’s history.

“There are many men of our fallen kings lie in this house, which is now down to ashes,” he told the BBC’s Network Africa.

“It is something that we have built and kept and maintained for our children and grandchildren and many generations unborn.”

Buganda is the largest of Uganda’s four ancient kingdoms.

They were abolished in 1966 but reinstated by Mr Museveni’s government in 1993.

However, he restored them only as cultural institutions with no political power.

Supporters of King Ronald believe he should have more power and influence than Mr Museveni allows.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/africa/8572588.stm
Published: 2010/03/17 13:35:03 GMT

Buganda’s royal tombs in Kasubi burnt

Publication date: Tuesday, 16th March, 2010

The world famous Kasubi Tombs burning last night

By vision reporters

KASUBI Tombs were last night burnt by fire, whose origin was not immediately established. The Police Fire Brigade rushed to the scene but its efforts to put out the raging fire at the traditional burial grounds of Buganda kings were disrupted by a crowd.

Eyewitnesses said the fire started from behind the huts. The main hut was completely destroyed as the surging crowd wailed in disbelief, hampering further the Police efforts to stop the inferno from spreading.

The Police said they could not tell the extent of the damage to the world famous heritage site since they were unable to access it, but it was clear that the huts were reduced to ash.

Situated on a hill within Kampala, the site is an active religious place in Buganda Kingdom.

As a burial ground for four kings, it is a religious centre for the royal family, a place where the Kabaka and his representatives frequently carry out important rituals.

It is also an outstanding example of traditional Ganda architecture and an exceptional testimony of the living Ganda traditions.

For Uganda, the site represents an important symbol of its history and culture. The tombs were listed as a UNESCO world heritage site in 2001.

The Baganda date their political civilisation back to the 13th Century AD. Their first Kabaka was Kintu. He is said to have come with his wife Nambi, whose hand he won by performing heroic deeds at the command of her father Gulu.

The first Kabaka to be buried at Kasubi tombs was Muteesa I, the 35th king.

Buganda’s kings built their palaces on strategic hills to control the major roads to the palace and find easy ways to escape in case of an invasion or rebellion.

Each Kabaka was buried at a separate site in a royal shrine to house his jaw bone, which was believed to contain his spirit.

Muteesa 1 was born around 1835 and was crowned in 1856. He established his palace at Kasubi in 1882, as did his father, Kabaka Suuna 11.

His son Daudi Chwa succeeded him in 1897. Chwa died in 1939 and he was also buried at Kasubi Tombs with his two predecessors.

Chwa was succeeded by his son Edward Muteesa 11. When Uganda attained independence from the British on October 9, 1962, Muteesa II became the constitutional president of Uganda.

However, Apollo Milton Obote stormed his palaces in May 1966 and forced him into exile in England. He died in 1969 in London and his remains were brought back and buried at Kasubi in 1971.

It is not known how the tombs will be rebuilt following the fire last night.

The Police were alerted about the fire at 8:50pm. However, attempts by the fire brigade to reach the site were hampered by a riotous crowd.

“We could not access the scene because of the rioters, so we could not save the tombs,” Simon Musoke, the chief fire officer, explained. Musoke said three fire trucks were damaged and a fire fighter injured by the rioters.

Details about the cause of the fire and the extent of the damage were scanty. Last evening, at least two military mambas were seen heading to the site.

Reported by Caroline Batenga, Steven Candia and Raymond Baguma

Kasubi Tombs Burnt To The Ground, Day Of Mourning

Posted on 17 March 2010

March 16, 2010 will be a day to remember for all future generations of Buganda; it will be a day of mourning. The much revered Kasubi tombs were burnt to the ground by unknown arsonists around 8:30 PM. According to eyewitness reports, the grand structure which housed the remains of four Buganda kings (Bassekabaka) and other members of the royal family, was set alight by people who intended to finish it. Interestingly, the two NRM government fire trucks which responded to the fire, turned out not to have any water , making them useless. This, combined with the fact that Uganda government security men tried to disperse the crowd of Baganda who tried to bring water in buckets, has left many of Kabaka’s subjects bitter.

Four Kabakas (Bassekabaka) are buried at Kasubi tombs, namely:

1. Muteesa I (1835-1884)

2. Basamula Mwanga II (1867-1903)

3. Daudi Chwa II (1896-1939)

4. Fredrick Walugembe Muteesa II (1924-1969)

Although there is no word yet on who set the sacred Baganda royal cemetery to fire a vast majority of Baganda lay the blame squarely on Uganda’s president Yoweri Museveni. Many point out that Mr. Museveni has laid siege on Buganda since 2009, putting travelling restrictions on Kabaka Mutebi, shooting dead over 30 Baganda who protested when the Kabaka was stopped from visiting Kayunga (Bugerere), closing Radio Buganda and persecuting many of the Kabaka’s officials.

Fatal shooting sparks riots at Makerere

Publication date: Tuesday, 16th March, 2010

Makerere students perched on a Police patrol truck carrying an empty coffin on Sir Apollo Kaggwa Road yesterday during a march against the killing of two colleagues

By Francis Kagolo, Andante
Okanya and B. Asiimwe
New Vision

MAKERERE University students, mainly from Kenya, yesterday rioted after their two colleagues were shot dead at a hostel on the main campus.

The shooting on Monday night took place amid disagreements between supporters of a Kenyan guild presidential candidate, John Kamau, and the NRM candidate, John Teira.

Ignatius Nyongesa, 24, and Brian Amoga, 21, both Kenyans, died when a security guard shot them in the chest.

Amoga was in his first year studying law, while Nyongesa was a third-year student of commerce with only two months to complete his course.

The incident occurred at 10:30pm at God is Able Hostel, situated in Makerere Kikoni, just on the edge of the main university campus.

Eyewitnesses said Richard Hafasha, a private security guard, fired one bullet which passed through Nyongesa’s chest and hit Amoga who was behind him. The bullet also hit a Ugandan student, Amon Mugezi, and got lodged in his neck. Mugezi is a third-year law student.

The bodies lay in a pool of blood for about an hour until other students in the hostel mobilised funds and hired a car that took them to Mulago Hospital. By press time, Mugezi was still in critical condition at the hospital’s intensive care unit.

Before the tragic incident, the nine guild presidential contenders had campaigned at a rally at Nsibirwa Hall in the university’s main campus. When the rally ended at 7:00pm, the contestants walked through various hostels seeking votes.

John Teira, the NRM candidate, camped in God is Able Hostel with dozens of his campaigning agents. They spent hours in the hostel, witnesses said.

As the group prepared to leave, they were confronted in the compound by Nyongesa, who is believed to belong to the camp of John Kamau, one of the two Kenyans in the guild race.

He reportedly tried to hit Teira with a bench when the group rejected his calls to leave the hostel.

A brief commotion ensued, which, according to eyewitnesses, compelled the guard to fire the bullet that hit the three students.

After the shooting, the security guard surrendered himself at Old Kampala Police station. He was later transferred to Wandegeya Police Station as investigations continue, according to Police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba.

Residents at the hostel said although the guard was not a regular drunkard, he was “very violent and harsh to students”.

“He used to lock the gate at 9:00pm. Whenever you returned beyond that, he would not open. He would instead abuse and threaten to shoot you,” a student said.

She added that whenever lectures ended late, they were forced to climb the gate. The shooting sparked a demonstration, dominated mostly by Kenyan students. The students smashed the hostel’s glass windows and by mid-day the place, that was under tight guard, had been vacated.

Carrying placards that urged the Government to probe the killings, the students marched from Kikoni through Sir Apollo Kaggwa Road to the main campus.

Julius Caesar Tusingwire, the officer in charge of Makerere Police Station, had earlier convinced the demonstrators not to turn violent. However, after an hour, more students joined in and the march became rowdy.

The protesters tore books of fellow students who were reluctant to join the demonstration.

Reports said about 10 male students entered the faculty of social sciences and pulled down a woman’s trousers, threatening to rape her for not taking part in the protest. She cried inconsolably and vanished after pulling up her trousers.

The rioters also broke pay-phone booths in front of the same faculty and went off with dozens of air time cards. They attempted to enter the main administration building where the vice-chancellor sits but Tusingwire ordered his Police officers to keep them at bay.

They burnt some trunks near Nkrumah Hall from where they invaded the university main library and ordered its closure.

At around 10:00am, a group attacked the carpenters at Wandegeya Kubbiri roundabout and took off with a coffin, claiming they wanted to bury their colleagues in the university’s Freedom Square.

However, the Police overpowered them and took the coffin back. Running battles then ensued between the Police and the students, with the rioters pelting Police officers with stones. Anti-riot Police, however, came in later and fired teargas, dispersing the crowd.

At around midday, some regrouped on Sir Apollo Kaggwa Road and the marram road leading to Kikoni, the scene of the murder.

They blocked both roads with stones and tree branches, forcing drivers from Bwaise to go back as business around Kikoni came to a standstill. Bodaboda riders had to pay money to pass at the roadsblocks.

They blocked the road for about an hour, until the anti-riot Police came in and fired teargas. By press time, the situation was normalising, although offices at the university remained closed.

Anti-riot and regular Police constables stood alert in all corners of the campus while plain-clothes detectives monitored the hostels.

An anti-terrorism Police squad monitored Wandegeya and the university. Top Police officers camped at the university to calm down the students. They included the deputy Police director in charge of operations, Grace Turyagumanawe, political commissar Asan Kasingye and Kampala south Police chief Moses Kafeero.

Prof. Tickodri Togboa, the university deputy vice-chancellor, said they were considering disarming all guards at the hostels and start engaging the Police to ensure security.

John Nzuve, the education attaché to the Kenyan embassy, also visited the university.

He said the embassy would co-operate with the bereaved families to transport the bodies to Kenya for burial.

The incident happened barely a week after a Kenyan student at Kampala International University stabbed to death her lover, also from Kenya.

A bloody trail over the years

By Chris Kiwawulo
Uganda New Vision  

The Monday shooting brings to five the number of students killed in politically-related circumstances since 2000.

On February 4, 2001, Alex Adigaremo, 20, was shot dead at the university by unknown assailants, days to the presidential elections. The murder sparked off violent protests.

In April 2005, several students were injured when guild elections degenerated into a fight between the supporters of the main candidates Jet Tumwebaze (NRM) and Maurice Kibalya (DP), turned the race into a fight. Tumwebaze’s supporters rejected Kibalya’s win. Tumwebaze’s group was accused of having guns. The dean of students, John Ekudu, blamed external forces. The anti-riot Police quelled the chaos.

In November 2005, Ibrahim Ssengendo, a 23-year-old first-year student of computer science, was shot dead and many injured when students rioted at the university over increased fees.

On April 2, 2007, students fought at the university’s Freedom Square during a rally. Supporters of the FDC candidate, Remi Mugagga, fought those of DP candidate Susan Abbo. Several students were injured. The Police and the university electoral commission called off the rally.

On April 4, 2007, a rally at Nkrumah Hall turned rowdy when supporters of the four leading contestants for the guild race fought each other. They were Susan Abbo (DP), Remi Mugagga (FDC), Andrew Tayebwa (independent) and Violet Acumo (NRM). Student Michael Asila was beaten into coma for allegedly attempting to disrupt the rally.

Simon Omoit, a second-year student of social sciences, was gun-butted in the abdomen after he allegedly provoked PGB soldiers as President Museveni visited Makerere to address a rally in 2006. Omoit and others were said to have flashed the FDC V-sign and hurled insults at the soldiers. Omoit died a year after later at Mulago due to multiple organ failure.

Past guild presidents
Robert Okware 2009/10 (DP)
Robert Rutaro 2008/9 (NRM)
Susan Abbo 2007/8 (DP)
Gerald Karuhanga 2006/7 (FDC)
Maurice Kibalya 2005/6 (DP)
Ronnie Mukasa 2004/5 (DP)
Yusuf Kiranda 2003/4 (JEEMA)
Dennis Okema 2002/3 (UPC)
Mukasa Mbidde 2001/2 (DP)
Asuman Basaalirwa 2000/1 (JEEMA)

Government to help restore Kasubi tombs

Ugandan Media Centre

Government will assist in the restoration of the vandalized Buganda Kingdom tombs at Kasubi in Kampala. The structure that houses some tombs of Buganda’s Kings was set ablaze last night by yet unknown people.

The announcement was made by President Yoweri Museveni this afternoon during an impromptu visit to the site where he directed for immediate investigations into the cause of the fire to establish whether it was deliberate arson or an act of God. He expressed disappointed that the scene had been interfered with.

“I am suspicious but I don’t know whether it was a deliberate act or an accident. Unfortunately these people have interfered with the scene of the crime because we would have been able to ascertain if it was intended arson. Government will see how it can assist in undoing the damage caused”, the President confirmed

Present were Presidential Adviser, Mr. Robert Sebunya, Buganda Transport Minister Mr. Kabuuza Mukasa and Rubaga LC3 Chairperson, Pastor Peter Ssematimba.

Taiwan President To Make 1 Hour Refueling Stop On Guam Monday

Guam - President Ma Ying-jeou will make a one-hour refueling stop on Guam this coming Monday,

 

 

 

the same day that U.S. President Barak Obama arrives.

The time of the arrival has not been revealed, but last weekend President Ma said he would be gone by the time that President Obama arrives and they will  not meet.

President Ma is on a week-long trip to the 6 Pacific Island nations that grant diplomatic recognition to Taiwan.

He'll also make another refueling stop on his way back on Saturday March 27th.

According to a report on focustaiwan.tw, Taiwan's Foreign Minister Timothy Yang said his 90-person entourage will make a 60-minute stop Monday.

 

Read the posting on focustaiwan.tw

Ma's first trip to the Pacific since he assumed office in May 2008 will take him to the Solomon Islands, Palau, the Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu from March 21-27.

UNICEF providing books to 145,000 Central African children affected by conflict

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is working to ensure that some 145,000 children affected by conflict in the Central African Republic have literature, mathematics and science books.

CAIR-MI Welcomes Democratic Party 14th District Resolution Regardingthe Shooting Death of Imam Luqman Ameen Abdullah

CAIR-MI Welcomes Democractic Party Resolution Regarding Imam Shooting

(SOUTHFIELD, MI, 3/17/10) - The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) today welcomes a recent resolution from the 14th Congressional Democratic Party calling for “objective scrutinty and resolution to the fatal shooting of the Cleric Imam Luqman Ameen Abdullah,” which took place on October 28 of last year in Dearborn.

The 14th Congressional Democratic Party on March 13 joined House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers (D-MI), the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners and several advocacy organizations in voicing concerns about a series of events, including the sting operation, which led to Abdullah’s fatal shooting and a warrantless entry into a mosque by the Detroit Police Department.

Advocates and community members continue to voice concerns regarding the lack of transparency in this case regarding unshared information requested through Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and results of the investigation by the Dearborn Police Department relating to the shooting scene.

“We welcome the 14th Congressional Democractic Party resolution calling for objective scrutiny into the protocols and conduct of the multi-jurisdictional law enforcement task force on the day of the cleric’s death,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid. “Until there is complete transparency regarding the events surrounding Abdullah’s death, community concerns will remain unsatisfied.”

CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248-842-1418, E-mail: dwalid@cair.com; CAIR-MI Staff Attorney Lena Masri, 248-390-1203, E-Mail: lmasri@cair.com

Stigson warns mistrust between business and government is hampering low carbon economy

Head of World Business Council for Sustainable Development warns poor communication between politicians and private sector is blocking the development of effective green policies
Cath Everett, BusinessGreen, 16 Mar 2010

A lack of trust between business and government is blocking the development of effective solutions for tackling climate change, according to the head of a leading sustainability body.
Bjorn Stigson, president of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, said in his opening keynote at the Base conference in London earlier today that mutual mistrust was hampering the development of a low carbon economy.
“Most resources and management skills are in business, but business can’t deploy them fast enough unless the right government organisations and frameworks are in place,” he said. “We have to take action together.”
Stigson said that already low levels of co-operation between the political and business spheres had worsened in recent years as large multinational companies “scaled back” lobbying activities as result of the recession. He observed that as a result there was now a “capacity problem” within many businesses that no longer employed personnel who were able to act as ” translators” between the two worlds.
He also accused businesses of failing to create a coherent vision of what they wanted to see from environmental and climate change policies. “If you want to influence this as businesses, you have to be clearer about what you can contribute and what you need,” he said. “The message now is very incoherent and there’s a free range to interpretation.”
Governments are taking a similarly incoherent approach, according to Stigson, who said that despite the emergence of new green legislation and taxes in different countries there was still no “shared vision” on how to enhance improve an economy’s sustainability.
However, he argued there was evidence that a “green race” was underway as different countries look to transform their economies.
He noted that while Japan is the current leader in energy efficient solutions as a result of action taken after the oil shocks of the 1970s, the European Union now has a 40 per cent share of the clean tech market. It also committed to increase research and development funding in the area by 300 per cent last October in order to try and boost its share of the sector still further. Similarly, the US has pumped billions of dollars into clean tech industries through its economic stimulus package.
But Stigson predicted that it is ultimately likely to be China that will win the race, with India taking the runners-up position. He said that China has made it clear that it wants to be a leading exporter of green technology and made clean tech a key component of its five-year economic growth plan as a result, while India continues to boast the huge work force and low cost base that will help it dominate any labour intensive clean tech sectors.