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. a nd 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, a nd 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
