East Africa

East Africa

Details: East Africa; 06 May 2025; 176

FILE Eddie Mutwe with Robert Kyagulanyi

Edward Ssebuufu, aka Eddie Mutwe and the personal bodyguard to National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi, has been formally charged with six counts of robbery and assault by the Masaka Magistrate’s court.

Mutwe was abducted by security operatives from Mukono district on April 27, 2025, and held incommunicado for several days. His detention was only acknowledged last week by Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who admitted Mutwe was being held in his basement.

On Monday, Mutwe was presented before the court under tight security, escorted by plain-clothed armed operatives driving a white Toyota Hiace commonly referred to as a “drone.”

He appeared in court limping, dressed in a dark blue shirt and black jeans folded up to the knees, supported by two men. Masaka grade one magistrate Abudallah Kayiza read out six charges of aggravated robbery, robbery, and assault which are alleged to have taken place in May 2024 during the burial of UK-based businessman Pascal Ssekasamba at Manja village in Kisekka sub-county, Lwengo district.

Mutwe was taken into the magistrate’s chambers for a closed-door session attended only by his lawyer Magellan Kazibwe and state attorney Michael Wakosesa where charges were read to him.

According to the charge sheet, Mutwe will be tried alongside three other members of Kyagulanyi’s security team; Achilleo Kivumbi, Grace Wakabi alias Smart-wa-Bobi, and Gadafi Mugumya who were charged in February and are currently on remand at Masaka Central Prison.

The group is accused of assaulting journalists during the burial, including damaging a video camera belonging to Zainabu Namusaazi of Next Media Group and destroying a smartphone belonging to Radio Simba correspondent Margret Kayondo.

They also face accusations of stealing two smartphones, robbing Shs 200,000, and causing grievous bodily harm to three individuals allegedly using sharp bayonets. State attorney Wakosesa noted that additional suspects are still at large and will be charged jointly once apprehended.

Magistrate Kayiza remanded Mutwe to Masaka Central Prison until May 25, 2025, when court will review the progress of investigations. Mutwe’s legal team has indicated plans to petition the court to allow the suspect access to medical care pending prosecution. By URN / The Observer

Details: East Africa; 06 May 2025; 128

South Sudan President Salva Kiir. (File photo)

May 6, 2025 JUBA CITY

President Salva Kiir made changes to the Upper Nile and Warrap state governments on Monday night. In a decree read on the state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Cooperation (SSBC), Kiir dismissed the Upper Nile State Security Advisor Jokino Fidel Nyikayo and Economic Affairs Advisor James Gatwech Jok and appointed Elteib Okiec Ajak and Chuol Deb Ciyer as their respective replacements.

He also dismissed ministers James Monyluk Mijok of Peace Building, James Basha Tewe of Information, Pal Deng Teweth of Finance, Planning and Investment, Simon Ruot Riang of Trade and Industry, Tejok Edward Ador of Agriculture and Forestry, Diing Deng Lueth of Labour, Public Service and Human Resource Development, Bainji Ernest of Health, and Peter Reek Dak of General Education and Instruction.

He replaced them with Peter Guenyjo Akwiny in Information, Martin Monykuer Monyjok in Finance, Planning and Investment, Simon Duop Puk in Trade and Industry, Akuc Jol Aciek in Labour, Public Service and Human Resources Development, Tejwok Edward Ador in Health, and Peter Alberto Mabano in Education and Instruction.

The president also dismissed Fashoda County Commissioner Yany Chuok Ajang, Geu Chol Yac of Akoka County, Akoch Jol Achiek of Renk, Chock Zein Arop of Melut, James Gatluak of Nasir, Riek Gach Gatluak of Ulang, Martin Monykuer Monyjok of Baliet, Peter Alberto of Maban, Peter Awan Odong of Manyo, and Dak Tut Dei of Longechuk County.

He appointed commissioners: Onak Okech Lual for Fashoda, James Chol Ador for Akoka, Diing Deng Lueth for Renk, Manyol Akoch Aguer for Melut, James Gatwech Jok for Nasir, Justin Nhial Betong for Ulang, John Paul Kuma for Maban, Zacharia Luany Amum for Manyo, Tulif Tong Dheiu for Longechuk, and Joseph Deng Angau for Baliet County.

According to sources, in what amounts to a violation of the 2018 peace agreement, Kiir appointed SSPDF Generals loyal to him as commissioners of Ulang and Nasir counties. The commissioners of the two counties, according to the agreement, are supposed to be nominated by the South Sudan Federal Democratic Party (FDP), which is a member of the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) and the SPLM-IO, respectively.

Further, Kiir replaced the Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission, Peter Nyogo Akwiny, with Chiok Zein Arop.

In the Upper Nile State Parliament, Kiir revoked the appointment of the Speaker, Jacob Dholar Ruot, and member Hamza Lual Awer. He appointed Philip Akol Amon as the new Speaker and Yanyo Oluak Ajany to replace the late Juliana Dak Padiel, and Andrew Mayom Deng as a legislator.

In Warrap State, Kiir dismissed the Advisor on Peace and Security, Peter Matem Yak (SPLM), and ministers Agem Akut Madut of Cabinet Affairs, James Ayek Bath of Youth Sport and Culture, and Mamer Bath Mabior of Information.

He appointed Mayik Agoth Mayor as the Advisor on Peace and Security, and ministers Dr. Achuil Malei Aliab for Cabinet Affairs, John Garang Mabior Ater for Youth, Sports and Culture, Paulino Mabeny Mayom Yuot for Parliamentary Affairs, Mamer Bath Matiok for Information, and Gabriel Machol Kur for Public Service and Human Resource Development.

Kiir dismissed the Chairperson of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, Malau Madut Malau, Deputy Chairperson Anti-Corruption Commission, Bona Mawan Yap, and Chairperson Peace and Conflict Resolution Commission Tokiel Chiliu, and replaced them with James Ajiek Marop Bol as the Chairperson of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, Aluak Majok Bech as Member Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, Malong Akuot Atem, Deputy Chairperson Anti-Corruption Commission, and Benjamin Anyar Mabior, as Chairperson of Peace and Reconciliation Commission.

He also dismissed county commissioners Makur Duol Ajuok of Tonj East County and Ring Deng Pading of Tonj South, and replaced them with Ngor Duol Mangong and John Achiek Warnyien, respectively.

In Central Equatoria State, Kiir dismissed commissioners David Lisi Christopher of Kajo-Keji County and George Wani Elia of Terekeka and replaced them with Yongole Atanasio Lojojo and Dr. Emmanuel Laku Ladu, respectively. Radio Tamazuj

Details: East Africa; 05 May 2025; 143

M23 continues to seize villages despite negotiations in Doha, Congolese army warns it reserves ‘right to respond’

KINSHASA, DR Congo Fighting was reported Monday in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s South Kivu province, despite ongoing peace talks in Qatar.

Witnesses said a group of young volunteers backed by the Congolese army was attacked in the mountainous, resource-rich Fizi region by Twirwaneho and Red Tabara rebels, who are affiliated with the M23 group.

“It was the Twirwaneho who came to attack the Patriots and the Congolese armed forces here … They are burning houses, and the fighting has been ongoing since 6 a.m.,” local resident Mauridi Mtoca told Anadolu.

The violence came as Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi has agreed to sit at the negotiating table with the M23 rebels. Delegations from both sides are currently in Doha for peace talks.

Despite both parties issuing statements calling for a ceasefire, clashes have continued in North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri, with M23 rebels seizing an increasing number of villages.

On Sunday, M23 forces seized the town of Lunyasenge on the western shore of Lake Edward in eastern Congo. The fighting left 17 people dead, including seven Congolese soldiers.

Col. Mak Hazukay, spokesman for the Congolese army in the region, condemned the M23 attacks on Sunday, calling them “a deliberate and blatant violation of the ceasefire and all measures put in place following the ongoing talks in Doha, Qatar, and Washington, United States.”

Hazukay warned that the army reserves “the right to respond in all directions if the threat from the rebels and their Rwandan allies continues.”

M23, central to the conflict in eastern Congo, has stepped up its offensive since December, capturing key towns including Goma and Bukavu.

Kinshasa and others accuse neighboring Rwanda of supporting M23 -- a claim Kigali denies.

In March, Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame agreed to a ceasefire during talks mediated by the Emir of Qatar in Doha.

In April, Congo’s Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner and her Rwandan counterpart, Olivier Nduhungirehe, signed a US-brokered declaration in Washington. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also attended the signing ceremony.

According to the UN, more than 7.8 million people have been displaced in the conflict. In April, the UN Human Rights Council said 602 people were victims of extrajudicial or summary executions in North and South Kivu in just two months. By Byobe Malenga, Anadolu Agency

Details: East Africa; 06 May 2025; 110

Suspects arrested over the murder of Kasipul MP Charles Ong'ondo Were when they were arraigned at JKIA law courts on 5th May 2025. [Collins Oduor, Standard]

Four men, including a serving Administration Police officer, arrested in connection with the assassination of Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Ong’ondo Were, will remain in police custody for the next 30 days pending the conclusion of investigations.

The suspects, William Imoli Shighali, Juma Ali Haikal, Douglas Muchiri Wambugu, and David Mihigo Kagame—were produced before the Chief Magistrate’s Court at JKIA yesterday, where the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) successfully applied for their continued detention.

Principal Magistrate Irene Gichobi granted the application, allowing the four to be detained at Ruaraka, Muthaiga, Capitol Hill, and Kilimani police stations, or any other suitable facility, for a period of 30 days.

This development came after autopsy results, conducted by Government Pathologist Johansen Oduor, revealed that the Kasipul MP died from excessive bleeding after being shot five times.

Oduor confirmed that bullets tore through Were’s vital organs, including the heart, lungs, and liver. The pathologist detailed that the five gunshot wounds included two entry wounds on the left forearm, two on the left side of the chest, and one that lodged in the spine.

Court documents reveal that one of the accused, Juma Ali Haikal, is a serving Administration Police officer. At his residence, a motor vehicle believed to have been used to drop the assailants outside Parliament and later trail the deceased’s car was impounded.

"The detectives recovered nine live rounds, eight tear gas canisters, and an Administration Police uniform from the house of Juma Ali Haikal, who has claimed to be a police officer. There is a need for further investigation to establish the allegations and how public stores came to be in his house," reads an affidavit sworn by Inspector Oliver Nabonwe.

In the affidavit, Nabonwe explained that the MP was fatally shot at about 7:40pm on April 30, while stopped at a red light at the City Mortuary roundabout along Valley Road. The attacker reportedly fled the scene on a motorcycle.

"Immediately after committing this heinous act, the assailant escaped from the scene on a waiting motorcycle and went into hiding, indicating that this crime was both targeted and premeditated," the affidavit reads.

The affidavit further disclosed that mobile phone data placed the suspects near the crime scene, confirming constant communication between them before, during, and after the fatal shooting.

"Preliminary analysis of the evidence at hand has shown that there is a high likelihood that the respondents, jointly with others still at large, were involved in the planning and execution of the murder of the deceased person," Nabonwe stated.

During the arrests, police recovered several mobile phones, which they believe contain crucial information that could help unravel the murder. Furthermore, during searches at the homes of Shighali and Haikal, detectives recovered live ammunition and a spent cartridge, which are awaiting ballistic analysis.

"The investigation team has identified more scenes of crime where it is believed that this murder was planned and/or orchestrated before the execution. These scenes need to be visited for documentation and retrieval of more evidence, which will subsequently be used in the interrogation and questioning of the respondents," Nabonwe stated.

The investigating officer emphasised the need for more time due to the complexity of the case and the high-profile nature of the crime.

"Due to the seriousness of the offence and the complexity of these investigations, we require more time to unravel this crime, as the investigators will be travelling to Homa Bay County to interview and record statements from more witnesses and people of interest," he added.

Magistrate Gichobi granted all orders sought by the prosecution, including the continued detention of the suspects and forensic examination of their mobile phones. The case is set to be mentioned on June 5 for further directions. By Emmanuel Kipchumba, The Standard

Details: East Africa; 05 May 2025; 95

At leat 10 people were killed when four tourist boats capsized. Photo by Xinhua/EPA-EFE

May 5 (UPI) -- At least 10 people are dead and more than 70 have been hospitalized after high winds caused four tourist vessels to capsize in China's Guizhou province Sunday.

The boats reportedly turned over while on a river in the city of Qianxi, which caused 84 people to fall into the water.

Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing reportedly led a team to the site to guide the rescue and relief work.

In a statement from the Chinese government, Chinese President Xi Jinping "urged all-out efforts to search those falling into water and treat the injured," and demanded "utmost search and rescue efforts as well as efforts to properly handle affairs related to the victims and console their families."

Xi also stressed that as "several incidents have occurred recently in various regions, which resulted in fatalities and injuries," local authorities and related departments are urged "to learn from these lessons, resolutely overcoming complacency and further reinforcing responsibilities across all related parties." By Ian Stark, UPI

Eddie Mutwe charged with robbery, assault in Masaka court

Kiir reshuffles Upper Nile, C. Equatoria, and Warrap state governments

Clashes rage in DR Congo’s South Kivu as peace talks with M23 stall

M23 continues to seize villages despite negotiations in Doha, Congolese army warns it reserves ‘right to respond’

Police officer among four detained over Kasipul MP's killing

10 dead, dozens hospitalized as Chinese tourist boats capsize

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