Dear Kintu-Nyago of The Monitor Publications,
I agree with you that we Ugandans resolve to bring the thugs of LRA to justice, no matter when that will be. No statute of limitations.
But I would demand this for all criminal thugs that have/still commit murder against Ugandans and fellow Africans.
Your call, though, on the EU representative to stop "interfering in our internal affairs" is laughble sinse these are the guys that fund the military hunta in Uganda. You should know this!!
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TUESDAY REFLECTIONS With Kintu Nyago
EU Envoy was very much out of order March 2, 2004
Let us imagine that about 30 years ago, at the height of the conflicts between the Irish Republican Army and Britain on the one hand, and the Basque separatists and Spain on the other, Uganda’s diplomatic envoys in these countries had publicly commented on these conflicts.
Say in the case of Britain, Uganda had called for the removal from Northern Ireland of any sectarian barriers favouring the Unionists at the direct expense of their Catholic cousins.
Or Uganda strongly advised Spain to offer the Basques independence.
Imagine also that our envoys initiated clandestine communication with these rebels either in solidarity with their cause or to encourage them to dialogue with their adversaries in Madrid and London.
In all certainty, would the concerned countries have merely looked by in appreciation of the good sense of our diplomats?
Even without being an Einstein, you should have guessed that the respective Foreign Affairs offices would have summarily summoned our envoys and informed them that both Britain and Spain were sovereign countries.
In addition, our envoys would have been informed that their activities are incompatible with their diplomatic status. Further, they would have been told to park their bags and leave for Entebbe within 24, or less, hours!
Given that Uganda is also a sovereign country, it’s against this background that we need to appreciate the gravity of the public statements attributed to the European Union’s ambassador to Uganda, Sigurd Illing.
The EU Head of Delegation publicly advised the Government of Uganda to negotiate with the war criminals heading the bizarre named Lord’s Resistance Army.
Furthermore, based on his letter, shown on TV and cited in the print media, referenced D (03)-502/S1, he was in secret communication with the same murderous gang!
In my opinion, foreign envoys, regardless of their foreign aid largess to this country, should reserve their subjective political sentiments on our domestic politics to the official communications that they regularly offer our Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In the same vein, foreign envoys should not be allowed to use their diplomatic immunity to clandestinely communicate with the enemies of the Ugandan state.
For this should clearly be incompatible with their diplomatic status.
Ugandans have the capacity to decide how to resolve their political challenges, including those concerned with the war in the North.
Fortunately, our Constitution empowers us in this regard. In my view, Joseph Kony, Vincent Otti, Odiambo, Raska Okwiya, Ocan Bunia and other members of the LRA High Command are defilers, rapists and war criminals who rightfully deserve to be tried for the crimes against humanity they are committing against the people of Acholiland in particular and other Ugandans in general.
However, I also do recognise the views of Bishop Odama and other members of the Acholi Religious Leaders Peace Initiative who instead call for peace talks.
This is their democratic right and Ugandans as a nation should soberly decide on the right way forward.
I will conclude by criticising the strong arm tactics used by the state last weekend at Nakulabye against Uganda Young Democrats councilors Henry Lubowa and Sula Mawanda who represent Nakulabye and Mengo Bakuli respectively, together with their supporters.
These were tear-gassed by the Police, forcefully dispersed, then briefly detained. Their offence? To rightfully consult with their constituents.
Surely, as we approach the referendum on term limits and the 2006 elections, what we need more than anything else, as a country with diverse political views, is a level playing field for all political actors.
But not a lopsided environment which favors the already state-funded NRM.
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
© 2004 The Monitor Publications
Mitayo Potosi
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