By Alex B. Atuhaire & Mercy Nalugo
Nov 8, 2003
|
KAMPALA - The director of the External Security Organization (ESO), Mr David Pulkol, has said it is okay for Ugandans to debate the third term. Speaking at the top of his voice, Pulkol told participants at a workshop code-named "National Dialogue" yesterday at Hotel Africana, that there is no law that prohibits people from exercising their rights. The workshop was organised by the Parliamentary Advocacy Forum (Pafo), a lobby group opposed to the amendment of the Constitution to lift the two five-year term limit on the presidency. The removal of the term limits is widely seen as a ploy aimed at keeping President Yoweri Museveni in power for life. Instead, he said, government should follow the Constitution. "When did it become law to stop someone from talking about life presidency or third term? Which Parliament passed such a law and which district councils passed it? "Shame and people ought to be ashamed," he said. He said if he was invited for lunch, he wouldn't be happy if the appointment was cancelled. "If you change goal posts, the onus is on you to explain why," Pulkol said. Last month, riot police raided the university and dispersed students who had gathered to talk about the political climate in the country. "What crime did they commit and what law did they break? People are trying to exercise their rights and all you see are these ugly-looking police constables coming to attack them," Pulkol said. He said MPs would have summoned the minister of Internal Affairs and the Inspector General of Police to explain the matter. In the same breath, he cited several instances when police disbanded MPs' consultative meetings in their own constituencies. "If they cannot speak for their people, who can speak for them?" he asked. "If the minister for Communication cannot communicate to these ugly looking men and women who were exercising their rights, then there is a problem," he said. He suggested that government adopts a human rights approach to address the issues. He also complained about the many presidential advisors, saying they are a liability to the President. "They build around the President in order to please him and when they come to public gatherings they show no impact," he said. He said the President should dispose of some of the "excess garbage" around him. As soon as he finished addressing the gathering, the spy chief left. Taking the mantle, the moderator, Maj. John Kazoora (Kashari MP) said he hoped there would be no radio announcements firing Pulkol.
Earlier, the former deputy Prime Minister, Mr Eriya Kategaya, had lashed at politicians who are downplaying the role of the elite in the political and economic development of the country. As the debate on whether or not to amend article 105(2) of the Constitution, a move that theoretically allows an incumbent to rule for life rages on, Kategaya said the elite should pioneer ideas that will transform society. "The glorification of the peasantry is retrogressive. The mission of any enlightened leadership in Africa should be aimed at abolishing the peasantry class," Kategaya said. Kategaya, also a former Minister of Internal Affairs and a historical member of the Movement warned the country against the dangers of the third term. "The country has a unique opportunity in history to have a president retire peacefully. "This means that we have an opportunity to go to Kololo and see President Yoweri Museveni handing over to a newly elected president of Uganda. What a ground breaking precedent in our political history it would be," he said. "Despite all the maneuvers, please have confidence in your Parliament. Pafo will make sure that at least in Parliament, public interest is not compromised," he said. Three army officers, Maj. John Kazoora and captains Guma Gumisiriza and Charles Byaruhanga were among the organisers of the debate. |
� 2003 The Monitor Publications
STOP MORE SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* -------------------------------------------- This service is hosted on the Infocom network http://www.infocom.co.ug
