| Toronto
Mr Edward Mulindwa's opinion that appeared in the Daily Monitor of
Monday August 16: Exercise your freedom within the law, need not go
unchallenged with all its distortions.
Edward Mulindwa correctly challenges Dr Muniini Mulera on the limits of
the practice and exercising of the fundamental human rights in Canada,
however, he commit mistakes of comparing Canadian situations with that of
Uganda. I would like to remind Edward that civil obedience is a culture
that has to be nurtured on principles of fair and meaningful laws that
reflects national aspirations. In Uganda, laws are uniquely curtailed to
primarily protect the interest of the ruling elites.
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Shot Thief:
Opondo |
Only in Uganda
Mulindwa should tell us if it is not
only in Uganda where the President calls former leaders swine; leaders
of other sovereignty as boys; donor community as groups of small
confused lots; leaders of opposition as traitors; insurgents as
bandits and citizens as these northerners. Has Paul Martin or any
Canadian Prime minister ever uttered such derogatory and demeaning
references?
Arrogance has become systemic in Ugandas public administration. This
has compounded the widespread ignorance on matters of protocol and
compromised accountability. We have read in the section of the press how
certain Movement leaders go to TV shows to sneer and laugh incredibly
unnecessarily which reflects lacking accountability such that one cannot
distinguish between educated persons and peasants; national leaders and
comedians. People will always emulate their leaders especially when some
of them have been idolized and epitomized to reflect superior beings that
are infallible. Politics is like playing a piano.
The sound you get corresponds with the key and the notes you hit. It
has been established that what goes in always must come out and that
is the law of nature. The truth remains that President Museveni is the one
to blame for this kind of bad mouthing. When you insult people, always
expect a return. When you disrespect the law as a leader, people will
follow you.
Mulindwa says that there is limit of the law without substantiating.
Ofwono Opondo shot and killed a car robbery suspect, he was not charged.
It was alleged Fox Odoi stabbed his cousin with a rusty spear claiming the
poor boy had trespassed into his quarters. We all know that Fox Odoi is
not a policeman. Does it mean that the application of the law is
selective? We have all read the arrogance with which the numerous
Presidential spokespersons inflict psychological damage on the
unprotected opposition members with such venom from their nibs. Where
are these boundaries of the said law?
Has the President got any executive powers to insult other people or to
even threaten death? Mulindwa should know better that the kind of scandals
in the Movement can never be comparable with any situation in a
responsible regime world over. President Museveni couldnt have referred
to past leaders as swine if he were Prime Minister of Canada.
Mutual respect
Respect is mutually reciprocal. For
a president it comes as a package; the person of the president and the
presidency as a whole and not in parts. When Museveni referred to Andrew
Mwenda as a boy at Kololo, he was speaking as the President of Uganda
not as a private citizen, likewise when he refers to other leaders as
swine, ghosts, small confused groups. President Museveni should
learn to respect citizens; should learn to respect the laws of Uganda and
should promote equal implementation of these laws so that Uganda can
embrace the concept of rule of law.
The Movement never brought any freedom. Human freedom is inherent and
inalienable. Even the internet was inevitable; private radios and
television are private enterprises. The role of the government is to
establish enabling environment for these to thrive fairly. During the 2001
Presidential elections, The New Vision published chits and small notes
from Besigye to directors of state parastatals seeking for employment for
his relatives. Besigye left, but can we say influence peddling stopped in
government circles? If the Daily Monitor or Observer did that against
Museveni, they would be raided and closed henceforth.
It all boils down to this: The Movement elites and its cohorts have
become immune to the law. The system of using its machinery of coercion
provides them with the necessary protection. Ugandans should not be misled
by half truths since Uganda is not a communist state. Mulindwa should
learn that Uganda laws are not respected by its leaders. Canadian Premiers
do not insult their predecessors or the citizens since they thrive on
sound integrity.
Contact:
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