----Original Message Follows----
From: james ssemakula <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: [UNAANET] Professor Binaisa Admits Abrogating Constitution
Date: Tue, 29 Oct 2002 11:03:09 -0800 (PST)
Mr. Muniini Mulera,
You said:
"Furthermore, there was never any doubt or debate about what actually
happened. [We knew back then that it was Binaisa who wrote the pidgeon hole
constitution.] Why it happened of course is a matter that has concentrated
the minds of Ugandans for 36 years now."
Mr. Binaisa no more wrote the 'pidgeon-hole' constitution than King James wrote the Bible. BUT, he may have help customize it for Uganda and put his impramatur on it --- at least on the proposals (drafts) for it. It was the Nkurumah's mercenaries who did, if are to believe what the record says about this. And it was done "in his image" with the full knowledge and acceptance of Obote. The police-state and dictatorship it established bore a striking resemblance to that of Nkrumah's Ghana, which is not surprising for it was his derranged's brain-child. Unfortunately, our education system is such that these things are unknown by a vast majority of Ugandans -- most regretably those in power today. Little wonder they are busy making the very same mistakes all over again!
Anyhow, Banaisa was just a fall-guy, who probably still feels embarassed that he was duped by the demonically cunning Obote. To (what is left of) his credit, he had the courage to resign as it was debated, albeit for "ill-health".
In 1967 Obote fired Mr. Cuthbert Obwangor was fired from his cabinet post as Minister of Planning & Economic Development, over the same contituent assembly debate. Mr. Obwangor opposed some of its more excessive provisions, especially in the area of presidential powers.
A year after the consitution was 'passed' Mr. Abu Mayanja (MP & lawyer), Rajat Neogy (Editor of internationally circulated Transition magazine) & Davies Sebukima (Makerere student & resident of University Hall) all were detained by Obote, without trial, in solitary confinement at Luzira Maximum Security Prison, no less -- all for reasons connected with that infamous constitution. (The demon is that vindictive: it was not enough for him that he had his "constitution", he remembered old score to settle.)
There is lots of "ink" on all this e.g. Uganda Argus, Daily Nation, E A Standard, Transition, etc etc, I'll provide some too (or see some of my recents posts on Ugandanet or DP_Net).
"Muniini K. Mulera" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote:Hello KK:
There are two issues that struck me in this story, both of them reflecting
the problems of relying on reports in our newspapers.
1. <
and Koffi Cran, both Ghanaians.>>
The "Kamba Mugerwa" here is in fact Nkambo Mugerwa, former Solicitor
General, a Muganda with a real Muziro to boot. That the New Vision
Journalist did not bother to establish the identity of this gentleman is
rather disappointing. Surely the name "Mugerwa" should have given him a
clue.
2. <constitution which saw the monarchies
> in Uganda abolished and the country's titular president, Kabaka Frederick
Mutesa, exiled.>>
Not true at all. Binaisa voluntarily took responsibility a long time ago. I
had an opportunity to interview him on the matter and published the
interview in The Monitor a few years ago. [I'll see if I can retrieve it
from my archives and share it with you.]
He said then what he is quoted to have said recently.
Furthermore, there was never any doubt or debate about what actually
happened. [We knew back then that it was Binaisa who wrote the pidgeon hole
constitution.] Why it happened of course is a matter that has concentrated
the minds of Ugandans for 36 years now.
I respect your feelings about Binaisa, but I disagree with you. The man is
not an idiot. The Uganda story of 1964-1967 was very, very complex. Though
Binaisa was a central figure in the drama, I believe that history may very
well be kinder to him than you are.
To his credit, he actually resigned his post of Attorney General when he
could no longer support Obote in 1967. He went into private practice.
Do not think that I am a Binaisa apologist. In fact I have had my own
quarrels with him, but on this one, I think we need to dig deeper before we
pass judgement.
Obusingye.
Muniini
----- Original Message -----
From: "kandekye kagyenzi" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 29, 2002 9:17 AM
Subject: [UNAANET] Professor Binaisa Admits Abrogating Constitution
> Binaisa is an idiot. As if Idi Amin's concern was the
> monarchy. Obote is the one who was concerned with the
> monarchy. What bloodshed did he prevent? He doesnt
> realize that all the mess we are currently in is
> partly because of that!!!
>
> Kandekye Kagyenzi
>
> Professor Binaisa Admits Abrogating Constitution
>
> By Anne Mugisa
> For the first time since leaving power, former
> President Godfrey Binaisa has admitted responsibility
> for abrogating the 1962 constitution in 1966.
>
> Prof. Binaisa, who was the then Attorney General, said
> he had to avert the brewing blood shed and a military
> take over by Idd Amin, the then feared Army
> Chief-of-Staff.
>
> He said he wrote the 1966 pigeon hole constitution
> with Kamba Mugerwa and Koffi Cran, both Ghanaians.
>
> "Faced with the 1966 events, I had to keep the
> citizens and foreigners from harm," Binaisa said.
>
> "I offered a solution. I told Dr. Obote that it was
> the only thing to do to save the country from military
> take over. I kicked out all the Ugandans from the
> office and let the Europeans handle it so as not to
> leak it. That constitution saved this country. I think
> I did a good job," Binaisa added.
>
> Binaisa was reacting to Justice George Kanyaihamba's
> assertions in his book "Constitutional and Political
> History of Uganda," which was re-launched on Saturday.
>
> Kanyeihamba said Binaisa abrogated the Constitution.
>
> Up to now, nobody had taken responsibility for the
> 1966 pigeon hole constitution which saw the monarchies
> in Uganda abolished and the country's titular
> president, Kabaka Frederick Mutesa, exiled.
>
> Binaisa, however, denied that his action was intended
> to abolish the monarchy.
> Ends
>
> Published on: Tuesday, 29th October, 2002
>
>
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