"Augustine Ruzindana and Pafo chairperson said the president's reaction was a clear manifestation that he had rejected the rule of law." owangee who said Gunmen respect the rule of law? Muce3beni is simple being exposed for the true gunmen who he is period. oh boy I am beginning to enjoy this!!!
Matek MPs React to Museveni Remarks Email This Page Print This Page Visit The Publisher's Site The Monitor (Kampala) June 29, 2004 Posted to the web June 29, 2004 Richard Mutumba and Mercy Nalugo Kampala President Yoweri Museveni's remarks on the Constitutional Court ruling over the 2000 referendum yesterday attracted strong mixed reactions from MPs and ministers. While a cross-section of legislators criticised Museveni for over reacting and not respecting the rule of law, others attacked the judges for not being patriotic. The MPs told The Monitor Museveni used the wrong forum to address his problems. Museveni in a Radio and TV address to the nation rejected the Constitutional Court ruling saying the government would not accept the contents of the ruling. Augustine Ruzindana and Pafo chairperson said the president's reaction was a clear manifestation that he had rejected the rule of law. "His rejection of the court ruling does not show his respect for the rule of law. His statement is a rejection of the independence of the Judiciary. What is left for him is to declare what articles of the Constitution he wants suspended," Ruzindana said. The MP for Aruu County Mr Odonga Otto said by rejecting the Constitutional Court ruling the president behaved like a peasant. "President Museveni should stop behaving like a peasant. Once you protest a court judgement you go to (a higher) court. He is trying to show us that there is no difference between him and Amin," Otto said adding that Amin rejected several court rulings. "He is showing us he is a second hand dictator. Any further action, we shall implore other means including contacting Police to punish those violating court decrees," Otto said. Patrick Oboi (Amuriat) said President Museveni must respect the rule of law. "If the Judiciary has to be independent we must respect the outcomes of the ruling. The ruling implies the entire government and Parliament cease to exist. Where are we then? We are in a state of anarchy," Oboi said. He advised that government discusses the way forward than attacking the Judiciary. Like Oboi, Telego MP Mr Kassiano Wadri said the President should respect all the three arms of government if he is to believe in rule of law. "I was taken aback like any Ugandan who believes in the rule of law when I heard Museveni castigating a ruling by the Constitutional Court judges," Kassiano said. He warned that many more court actions are coming up against government. Latigo Ogenga (Agago County) said he was not surprised by the remarks because Museveni has persistently attacked the judges. He said following the ruling, there is no way a Constitution can be reversed. This (reversing the Constitution) he said would be committing treason of which the members have a right to fight him. "I Hope his colleagues who have been pushing him for a third term will learn from this and begin asking themselves where the country is going," Latigo said. The Bufumbira South MP and State Minister for Information, Dr James Nsaba Buturo said the judges were unfair for not proposing an alternative to their decision. Rushenyi County MP and State Minister for Finance Mwesigwa Rukutana said the court would have been kind enough and apply the principle of 'validate if possible' instead of attempting to put the country at a standstill. Kyaddondo South MP Mr Issa Kikungwe said he was waiting for the President to declare he doesn't believe in rule of law. "Let him overthrow his own government by fighting the rule of law," Kikungwe said. Wesonga Kamana (Bubulo West) said the president would have appealed against the ruling in the higher court of law. "But we should also pray for this country," Kamana said. Relevant Links East Africa Uganda Legal and Judicial Affairs Lubaga South MP John Ken Lukyamuzi said it was unfortunate for the President who is the fountain of honour to openly criticise the institution he is supposed to respect. Kassanda South MP and Legal Committee vice chairperson Mr Nyombi Tembo said the President's remarks were not a rejection of the court ruling but a mere observation of an important matter. "I don't think the president rejected the court ruling. He just made an observation. He was just complaining on the judgement. When one tries to cause a crisis and you are the one in power you must show that you are in control". -------------------------------------------- This service is hosted on the Infocom network http://www.infocom.co.ug