By John Iraka
July 15, 2004
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I love proverbs. So does President Museveni. So did King Solomon of the Bible. I therefore beg your indulgence as I go through my choice for the day, all for the attention of Mr President or those who brief him. I have no intention to offend the presidential ear, nor to leave a bad taste in the presidential mouth. I cannot, however, guarantee peace of mind as he ponders the meaning and implications of these proverbs. I am just responding in kind to a style of speech he has resurrected, popularized, and almost made his own. Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones. The use of undiplomatic language has reference here. I need not list all the missives that have issued from the First Citizen's mouth in a period of eighteen years. Some have sounded vulgar - to put it mildly; like calling past leaders swine. As a result his opponents have not been diplomatic either. Some have concluded that he looked "naked" and others thought he had thrown an "infatile tantrum" when he appeared on the national television to denounce the judgement on the 2000 referendum procedure. It also appears that the President did not subject Prof. Gilbert Bukenya to an oral interview before appointing him to the post of vice president. The taste of the pudding is in the eating. If you wish to find out the oratory skills of the second most powerful person in Uganda, read his responses during an interview on BBC World Service as reported in the Monitor. The Movement had better do more damage control if they hope to get Prof. Gilbert Bukenya to win them votes. Perhaps he is more suited to mobilising people for rice growing than speaking with authority on the current affairs of Uganda. The only consolation I can offer the VP is that former Vice President Al Gore of USA and General Mustafa Adrisi of Uganda were equally disabled and yet held similar posts. The following proverb explains the dry banana leaves fashion parades. An outnumbered or inferior force fights draped in dry banana leaves. In Runyankore: abakye barwanira omumashansha. The idea here is to exaggerate your size and numbers through noise and camouflage. If this is the message that the Movement is sending to the nation, it is the wrong message. The next proverb expresses a sporting culture and a spirit of fair play. When you wrestle your opponent to the ground, you do not kick him as well just to rub it in. The President having controversially won the 2001 presidential election is now rubbing salt into the wounds of his opponents by defying the Constitutional Court ruling on the 2000 referendum. This happens to be the only legal means of redress for the opposition. Ridiculing Justice George Kanyeihamba shows how immune and insensitive to public opinion those who reside in State House can become. This brings to mind Justice Kanyeihamba's own words of wisdom to the effect that he who loves you tells you the truth. If some citizens perceive that the President is "naked" and they withhold the truth from him, they will be blamed if they join the group that is laughing at him. I am sure there is a proverb in Runyankore to this effect but it is too vulgar for print. The next proverb articulates the principle of equitable justice. When you chase a thief, you must give him a chance to escape with his life. I know that this is no longer the case with thieves caught by mobs in Kampala and other towns in Uganda. But the principle for which it was established by our forefathers still stands. Many people in the mobs that lynch suspects are probably aware that mob justice is wrong; but all the same they decide to take the law into their own hands. Surely the Movement government ought to do better than break the laws which they are entrusted to uphold. Embezzlement of taxpayers' money by high-ranking officers comes to mind. The proverb concerning the treatment of thieves does not protect thieves from being pursued; it implies that thieves are apprehended and given appropriate punishment. Not a death sentence. But they must not be left to go scot-free either. On the other hand political offences are almost always equated to treason and suspects are tortured, sometimes to death. Dr Okungu's torture story and photographs come to mind. What I do unto others, I never wish unto myself is a common wise saying worldwide . When the historical members of the NRM look back into their past during the bush war and analyse the compelling reasons that took them there; the irony of being called a rebel when you know you have been forced into rebellion; the punishment including torture of your relatives simply because they are your relatives; then they will remember this saying. [EMAIL PROTECTED] |
� 2004 The Monitor Publications
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