Re: ugnet_: RE: CABINET AT THE CRC

[Owor Kipenji]

I concur with the views as expressed by Herr Fritz Kopsieker regarding

the cabinet role in presenting their "views" to the CRC.

What the cabinet views represents that Herr Fritz may not be aware

of is that theirs is just Mu7's views by proxy!

This actually reflects the state of hypocrisy that many a Ugandan "intellectuals" have been reduced to.They have long ceased to use the

exercise of their mental faculties to help society make decisions by making their considered views known to all and sundry,but would rather

resign to being cheerleaders as long as their gastronomic needs are being well taken care of!.

Look at the myriad of professors ,Doctors,Lawyers etc that Mu7 has chosen to use as his dogs of war and propaganda and they gleefully and

peevishly go about cheer leading as though to say it was not worth an iota for all the years they spent diligently seeking knowledge and truth.

My only question therefore is if these academics have themselves fail to

live to their conscience,how on earth do they expect others to listen let

alone believe in what comes out of their mouths?.

Thank you.

Kipenji.

===================================================================

Nyende David <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

 

 

 

 Should Cabinet make presentations to the CRC ?

 A foreigner’s view.

 Sir,

 As a foreigner living in Uganda, I often struggle to understand the fine print of the Ugandan society and its politics. For example, what is the basis for Cabinet to present its views to the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) ?

The Constitution is the supreme law of the country. It has more than legal implications. ‘Constitutionalism’ is a principled approach to how different interests and powers within a society relate to one another. Consequently, the Constitution should be shaped by these social interests and powers. It should be a living document, relevant to society’s needs and aspirations. At the same time, the Constitution must clearly remain above the politics of the day. It should not be affected by the day-to-day running of Government. In this respect, it is quite alright for many legitimate groups to present their views to the CRC.

But who is the executive arm of Government in this context ? In a democratic society, the executive results from elections. In Uganda, such elections are held every five years. The President, who is the appointing authority of Cabinet, could be voted out after a five-year term. The new office bearer would obviously appoint a new Cabinet. Does Cabinet qualify as a long-term stakeholder in the Constitution ? Can Cabinet contribute views for constitutional reform on the same level as other more permanent manifestations of society’s different groups and interests ?

I understand that it can be argued that under the Movement system, each Government (of the day) would be a Movement government and thus have a prime stake in the Constitution. If this is the case, what is the justification of two separate submissions to the CRC, one by the Cabinet and the other by the Movement (national Conference) ? And how would such a position reconcile with the fact that Cabinet is not an organ of the Movement ?

 

Fritz Kopsieker

Kampala

 

(Letter of the Day Editor, The New Vision, Saturday, September 27, 2003 page 11)

 

---

Want to chat instantly with your online friends? Get the FREE Yahoo! Messenger