I thought I had said my last bit on Ndugu Ssemakula's responses to my response, but find I need to add something here as well.
>>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 07/24/03 12:33AM >>> >>>>>Addenda: 1. For what it is worth, I understand that it was probably Toronto's Dr. Muniini who first described Mr. Kanyeihamba, as "a pillar of the National Resistance Movement", and that this was in the 5th June, 2000 issue of the Monitor newspaper. >>>>> That may well have been the case. This is how Kanyeihamba sees his role in the NRM: "The author was a cadre during the years of the struggle 1980-1985. Was minister of Commerce 1986-9. Minister of Justice and Attorney General (AG) 1989-91. First Senior presidential Adviser on International and Human Rights Affairs, 1991-97. While AG the author moved and steered the Bill through Parliament that extended the NRM Administration for another five years. In Sept. 1997 became Justice of the Supreme Court." Footnote on Page 222. >>>>2. Mr. Kanyeihamba apparently also hails from Kigezi -- another area that seriously bamboozled by the conniving Obote. >>>> The context and relevance of no. 2 above is not so clear to me, elaborate please. >>>>3. In Gureme's review of the book in the June 23, 2003 issue of the Monitor ( www.monitor.co.ug/archives/oped/2003/0623/op2.php ) he puts the so-called 'Dramatic Years' in context. He said: "The book also dissects the constitutional discussions: here and in Britain, where our 1962 Constitution was concluded. And through the absurdities of electioneering, where the avail of symbols (e.g. the open hand) rather than principles were debated! Kanyeihamba labels the years 1962 to 1966 as the "Dramatic Years," because of the theatricals culminating in Milton Obote's home-brewed "Crisis" of 1966.>>>>>. I have already apologised for giving the impression that the entire book was the 2-3 pages I quoted on this forum! May be I should withdraw the apology: should i have mentioned the constitutional talks when we were looking at the "phantom arms of the 1960s"? Mine was not at attempt to review Kanyeihamba's book! >>>"Incidentally, Ibingira's recollection of those debates is also illuminating. Obote, whom he accompanied was too busy sight-seeing and gawking at red doubledecker buses of London to attend many of the sessions.>>>.. And Ibingira, having been in full attendance (while Obote was red-doubledecker buses of London-gawking) not only knew what the absentee Obote was doing, but came back and supported the same irresponsible Obote to lead his party to Independence! You know what, that Obote man must have been quite something, for somehow he got to take credit for what others did whilst he was gawking at red doubledecker buses. Listen to what Sir Edward said of Obote's role in those talks: "THE TALKS WERE SUCCESSFUL FOR US. WITH OBOTE'S SUPPORT, WE OBTAINED A GREAT DEAL OF WHAT WE WANTED AND LOOKED TO RECEIVE THE REST LATER. WE WERE TO HAVE OUR OWN HIGH COURT...................." The Kabaka of Buganda, Desecration of My Kingdom; Pages 161-162. In 1967, Sir Edward did not have to give Obote credit where it was not due, why did he attribute the "Ebyaffe" from those talks to the red doubledecker gawking Obote instead of the erudite Ibingira? >>>>> (Also, Ibingira accompanied Obote to Long Island, NY where a small college gave him an honorary doctorate that Obote was to "wear" -- almost thread-bare, as though it were an earned doctorate, throught his life.) >>>> Now we want, even, to begrudge Obote of the honorary degree he was awarded? >>>>4. Elsewhere, it has been suggested that Keith Ingham, author/editor of books like: The making of modern Uganda (1958, 1983); A History of East Africa (1967), The kingdom of Toro in Uganda (1975), Obote: A Political Biography (1994), etc, was/is a foreigner and therefore somehow an impartial observer of events in Uganda. Nothing could be further from the truth.Ingham, a former lecturer at Makerere, was also a member of the Uganda Legislative Council (a.k.a) in 1958 -- which is when he first met Obote with whom he formed a longlasting friendship. Further, Ingham was/is also a card-carrying member of the UPC -- a factor that probably excercebated his biblical naivety, and upon which at least one reviewer of his rather incomplete biography of Obote remarked.>>>> I have a copy of Ingham's Obote: A Political Biography. The author seems to be Kenneth Ingham, and not Keith Ingham. The preface to the book has all the information above, including Ingham's admission that he joined the UPC soon after it was formed and his contacts/lengthy conversations with Obote. So, now, you are saying: "Don't believe anything Ingham says for he is a card-carrying member of the UPC", and yet a shrot while ago you were saying: "Believe everything Ibingira says because he was a UPC insider". Does being/having been UPC have any bearing to the veracity ofg information about our historical events, or is it the relationship between an individual and Obote that, in your esteem view, determines who should be taken seriously? Make up your mind and let us put this side issue to sleep. >>>>Obote even hid from him the fact that his biological died eons ago of leprosy, and no mention of it was made of it in the chapter on Obote's boyhood -- a strange little chapter full of what can only be described as "tarzan-tales", but that is another story. Ingham was also taken to task for failing to realize the obvious import and ramifications -- with respect to the psychological attitude toward power -- of Obote's favorite quote from Paradise Lost. He also appears to have lacked the intellectual honesty or intestinal fortitude to deal with, even in passing, the serious charges and issues raised and documented by Ibingira in hisbook, African Upheavals Since Independence. >>>>>> Interesting stuff: Ibingira sure is the Alpha and Omega for you on these issues! I have only one of hiw books but will try to get the others too: if he means that much to you, he must make very compelling reading. But going thru this discussion, one is reminded of the Chinese girl in "Mind Your Language" all of whose statements started with, "Chairman Mao says..." You are lucky to have found your own Chairman Mao in Ibingira on all issues Obote! In concluding, Omw Ssemakula, as a scientist, would you ask Ibingira to review a grant proposal submitted by Obote? Would you ask K Ingham to do the same? Would you, given what you know of their relationships? Is it not your rich culture that captures the concept of conflict of interest most aptly in: "Enkima ttesala gwa kibira"? Perhaps what you want to tell us is that the Ibingira-Obote situation is so special that you are prepared to bunk the ancient wisdom of your forefathers. Best regards, Yoswa
