Fr Kanyike's view of Uganda mixed up
Fr Larry Kanyikes opinion entitled "Violence Has No Room in Uganda's political Space" deviated from his otherwise good record of analysis and objectivity.
He asserts that Ugandans were "better off under the British Protectorate than after they left us to manage our own affairs", and that post-independence Uganda has justified the statement that "Africans are savages".
He does not seem to consider that the British took control of Uganda using violent means and that the post-independence perennial conflict was largely engendered by the Colonial rule. He seems oblivious of the worse savagery that preceded democracy in other parts of the world or of the savagery imperialist wars that are still rocking the world.
Fr Kanyike dismisses all political parties, except the Democratic Party, as either being prone to, or having a history of violence. All political parties in Uganda ("traditional" or not) are, to the best of my knowledge, formed to pursue political programs through peaceful means. I am not aware of any political party with a motto encouraging violence.
Where members of political parties have found it necessary to resort to armed struggle, I am not aware of a political party that resolved to pursue armed struggle.
Indeed the greatest majority of the members of NRA/M who pursued armed struggle in 1981-6 were predominantly from the DP; though, the leaders of the rebellion were mainly from Uganda Patriotic Movement.
Following Fr Kanyike's logic, the National Resistance Army/Movement was an "offshoot" of the DP. Other leaders of the DP have been variously involved with other armed rebel activities, which Fr Kanyike acknowledges. It should interest him to find out why so many people looked for solutions outside their party.
Fr Kanyike asserts, "in order to command respect and trust from the world of civilisation, Uganda needs a leadership that respects civility, ... has no history of blood on its hand and one that respects courts of law to settle conflicts". The "world of civilization" that he admires, generally supported Apartheid South Africa; may be, Fr Kanyike would have advised the ANC to take their grievances to the Apartheid Government Courts and to respect their verdict.
Fr Kanyike should appreciate that pro-democracy supporters and activists may differ in their approach to achieving their objective, but they are, and must remain, united in their goal. Undermining each other or adopting a holier-than-thou attitude will only serve to perpetuate the evils that give rise to violence.
Kizza Besigye
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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