Fellow Citizens:
Can somebody please inform our "learned" friend, John Nagenda, that it is but the role of the Government all through out the world to protect citizens from so called Rebels. If, as in the case of Uganda, the NRM military dictatorship has failed ( for now 17 years) to protect our people in Northern Uganda, it is incumbent upon the dictatorship to
a) sort other avenue through which peace could be brought about in Northern Uganda or
b) such "government"/dictatorship should resign from power and let somebody else who would bring peace to the people of Northern Uganda, take charge.
It is with this in mind, that is why the members of the Clergy are calling upon Museveni's NRM military dictatorship to talk peace with "Kony".
John Negenda stick to the world of Journalism . In as far as politics is concern , your attempt to engage in political reasoning is rather questionable and remains wanting... I suggest you do more reading!
Matek
In a message dated 6/11/2003 4:06:45 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Where Is The Balance?
TALK WITH KONY: Msgr Joseph Obunga
--The Catholic prelates agitating for talks with Kony are one-sided
One Man’s Week By John Nagenda
ON Wednesday I read the announcement, via the internet, that a special envoy of the Pope, Crescencio Cardinal Sepe from the Vatican, had asked the Uganda Government to engage in talks with Kony, and bring about peace.
Again! I have written with great favour of this Pope’s strong stand against those who would like to return Africans to a new kind of enslavement; this time by economic means. He (and Archbishop of Canterbury Runcie) said that the kind of future faced by the African countries because of crippling and unpayable debts was a new variation on the old Slave Trade.
You can therefore imagine my unholy rage at the message delivered by the Cardinal, especially since the Pontiff could never have sent it in that form, at any rate if he was in possession of the facts, the full facts, and nothing but the facts! For if Kony’s foul acts are not an enslavement of part of Africa, what are they?
We all want and pray for peace. But typically, in the way that these messages are consistently couched, there was no strong and unqualified denunciation of Kony himself. Therefore by implication the condemnation fell upon the Government of Uganda, for “not talking to Kony”. Where were these Pope advisers a few weeks ago when Kony announced a cynical ceasefire he never intended to keep?
Uganda wearily announced its own ceasefire, knowing it had been fooled before, and would doubtless be fooled again. But this time when Kony never turned up for talks but instead continued his murderous actions, even General Salim Saleh, the most genuine peace seeker in the region (possibly the world) said he had had enough.
But not so the likes of Archbishop Odama, of Gulu, who quipped: Let’s put the other movements aside but movement for peace.” Ho ho! His Vicar General Msgr Odong put it as bluntly: “Many people in northern Uganda have lost their lives; government should talk peace with Kony.”
So there you are. What is the matter with people like this? And, in this case, why are they so keen to involve the Holy Father in their frolics by not giving him full information? I must say I fell on my knees in thanksgiving (I exaggerate a little!) when recently Kony showed his full contempt for such people by ransacking their mission and burning their vehicles. I hoped, in vain, that perhaps this time they would come to their senses and see Kony for what he is and condemn him unconditionally.
Perhaps that will only happen
when Kony boils them for supper. How odd that the church is playing such a leading role in this return of cannibalism!
* * *
This is being written at the Royal Commonwealth Society, also known as the Commonwealth Club, in London’s Northumberland Avenue off Trafalgar Square, and within spitting distance (almost) of our High Commission. Save for perhaps five years in the late sixties, I have been a member since 1963 and I very highly recommend it. Ask how you go about joining and I shall tell you.
Anyway, being in England I should discuss the weather a little. Boy it’s hot! People say to me, “You brought it with you” as a compliment. But London, as opposed to the countryside, is most oppressive when hot and humid as it is now. The only consolation is that the girls compete in nearly shedding their clothes off; you wish you were younger! But in a light rain I strode down Whitehall, seat of government offices, a few days ago. Where you turn right into Downing Street, where the Prime Minister has his dwelling at Number Ten, walking people were asked to stop, although not cars. Reason? The “call me Tony” Premier might be coming out. This is the man who always wanted to be treated, true egalitarian as he would have you think, with no ceremony. In any case, if we loiterers might take a pot shot at the great man’s (presumably) armour-plated limo, why should it not be even easier to do so from a vehicle? We stood patiently as the rain fell, until we were ushered on. No sight of Tony! But spare a thought for this greatest buddy of President Bush.
(Spare one for Bush as well.) Their Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq are nowhere to be seen. In Tony’s case he made matters much worse, if not utterly ridiculous, by saying Saddam (Saddam who?) could amount his WMD war in a matter of 45 minutes! He has lived to regret it, and will take it with him to his grave. His popularity has plummeted. From saying he should be given a short period to prove his case (which of course he should do) he now asks those who don’t believe him to prove he is wrong. I am reminded of the cartoon: “Not waving but drowning!”
* * *
Today is Derby Day, very important to lovers of horses, and those who love gambling. I have a foot in both camps. As a matter of fact a group of us have joined together to lease two beautiful fillies which will have their first races soon.
Last year I did very well at the Derby by backing High Chaparral, the Irish-trained winner. Latterly all I have to do is back a horse and it runs backwards. Perhaps Msgr Odong might put in a good word for me with the Almighty on this? I try to look on the bright side, but somehow I doubt it.
Ends
Published on: Saturday, 7th June, 2003
