Dear Rosette:
I hope you are well. I know that we have only a
few days left to kick off our Convention in Seattle and I am concerned
that one very important issue remains unresolved. I hasten to follow up on
our telephone conversations and to urge you, the UNAA Board, and the local
organizing committee in Seattle to reinstate Ms. Anne Mugisha on the
political forum panel. Over the last few weeks and days, a lot of
information, we all know, were exchanged. Our Ugandan community in North
America is large and very diverse. It is very likely that because some of
us have never met and are less familiar with one another and the way we
conduct ourselves, it becomes easy to get into a misunderstanding
especially when our primary points of contact are electronic. But that
should not be an excuse for violating the noble objectives of UNAA, which
are to promote social, cultural, and economic partnerships among us while
remaining nonpartisan.
We all came to the U.S. and Canada for many
reasons. But we share a common bitter memory: that our Ugandan society at
home has perpetually been torn apart by raw and divisive politics. We know
very well that this should not be. And we cannot afford to implant it in
UNAA. In fact, a conversation with the majority of Convention participants
indicates that the degree of social interactions bolstered by the
political accommodation we have displayed over the last few years is a big
attraction and makes everyone proud. We are a hope for Uganda. How ironic
it would be if we resort to practising the same type of intolerance and
divisiveness for which we blame the leaders who have drained and
denigrated Uganda. Many of our children will be in Seattle. This is not
what we should teach them.
I was invited to be on the panel mainly
because I represent the Democratic Party of uganda. DP has been at the
forefront of struggling for justice, the right to associate, and freedom
of speech since preindependence, and I cannot simply stand aside as this
injustice unfolds. As a fellow panelist I strongly uphold Anne Migisha's
right to peacefully protest and I see no conflict between that act and her
addressing the forum. I would not even worry about security because the
Seattle administration and police are fully aware and are in
control. Additionally, federal authorities are well informed about
the conditions for the visiting President. For your information, over the
next five days the Republicans will hold their Convention in New York
City. To date, City
administration has issued 30 permits to allow
different groups of protestors, ranging from 50 to half a million, to be
on the streets demostrating against President Bush. Yet it was New York
that worked so hard to win the bid to host the Republican Convention this
year! That is democracy.
I hope that you will do the right thing to
reinstate Anne on the panel. I know Anne as a mature and very intelligent
lady who certainly understands well her responsibilities in this case. I
would not want to see us create unnecessary rifts within our community at
a time when UNAA should be focusing on improved services and growth for a
better future. Imagine if the entire panel and the audience decide to join
the protest!
I thank you so much for your attention and positive
action.
Richard E. Ottoo, Ph.D.
Chairman, DP USA Chapter, Inc.
and
Vice President, Ugandan American Association of Greater New
York.
Anne Mugisha
Member, Forum for Democratic
Change