{UAH} cabinet on simeo

PRESS RELEASE

Cabinet sitting on Friday 4th August 2017 discussed among other items
and noted particularly with concern, the increasing wave of
politically motivated intolerance among sections of the political
class resulting into physical attacks on targeted people.

In particular, Cabinet took strong exception to the incident which
occurred in Mubende at the celebrations to commemorate His Highness
the Kabaka's coronation where a one Ntege (aka 'Kyuma Kyayesu ')
attacked Hon. Simeo Nsubuga in full public glare allegedly on account
of the views Hon. Nsubuga holds on the proposed amendment of Article
102(b) of the Constitution being discussed in the public arena.
Similar cases of extreme intolerance involving actual physical attacks
and/or assault have been reported against Hon. Ibrahim Abiriga, Hon.
Betty Kamya and Hon. Kahinda Otafiire. This is not only unacceptable
but criminal.

Cabinet has therefore resolved the following;

1) Condemned these extreme cases of intolerance that are resulting
into episodes of violence. NO one has a right to intimidate another
person on account of his/her views. Government therefore cautions all
those in the habit of taking the law in their hands to stop forthwith.
Political disagreements and contestations do not need to degenerate
into violence or physical confrontations. That is cowardice and
criminal.

2) Directed the Police and other law enforcement agencies to firmly
take action against any person alleged to be intimidating and/or
attacking any other citizen on account of his/her divergent views.
Nobody, Senior, Junior or Ordinary citizen is above the law.

3) Noted that the Constitution is an expression of the people's
wishes, aspirations and ethos and therefore any citizen is free to
express his/her views on any matter of constitutional governance .
Chapter 18 of the Constitution and specifically Article 259 provide
for a mechanism of amending the Constitution and therefore gives
anyone an opportunity to express him/herself and propose any
amendments. It is therefore criminal for anybody to issue threats
against any citizen on account of holding certain political views.

4) Encouraged Ugandans to continue freely expressing themselves in
accordance with the laws of the land. Government will protect the
rights of all.

5).Noted that some leaders have been going in the media to issue
threats against others with different views. Cabinet therefore Called
upon the media and all journalism practitioners to always moderate
their debates within the confines of the minimum broadcasting
standards. They should not allow or tolerate guests who trade insults
and use threatening language bordering on violence against others
whose views they disagree with. A democratic culture can only take
root if every citizen is free to express him/herself without any
threat from anybody.

6). Leaders of all shades of opinion are also encouraged to not stifle
debate on any issue that is of interest and concern to the citizenry,
as that would be negating the principles of pluralism and democratic
governance.

7).Government has not yet discussed the issue of age limit as
contained in article 102(b). The ongoing discussions in the public
domain are citizen driven. And any Ugandan or group of Ugandans is/are
free to call for any amendment in the Constitution. Government will
not stifle them.

Thank you.

Frank K. Tumwebaze

MINISTER OF ICT AND NATIONAL GUIDANCE

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