{UAH} These violent scenes are hurting Uganda’s image
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These violent scenes are hurting Uganda's image
THURSDAY APRIL 25 2019
Police officers arrest Bobi Wine
The unfolding violent confrontations between police and the Opposition are making Uganda look unstable and a risky destination for foreigners interested in visiting or investing in Uganda.
The persistent cancellation of Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine's, music concerts by police and pulling Opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye off air during live radio talk shows and switching off the radio stations on orders of security or state agents suggests political witch-hunt rather than an effort to ensure law and order.
The country has a Constitution that guarantees freedom of speech, expression and assembly. And the Constitution also enjoins the police and other security agencies to be professional and non-partisan. It also provides that every Ugandan has a right to unrestricted access to the mass media whether private or government-owned.
However, the recent incidents where Dr Besigye and other Opposition leaders were denied access to the media to interact with the population through the airwaves and the latest violent scenarios during the Easter season which have culminated into Bobi Wine being put under house arrest at his home, offend the spirit and provisions of Constitution that was made purposely to prevent the recurrence of these very ills.
The United States government has condemned the State/police brutality and suppression of freedom of expression. The Uganda government has retaliated saying the US has no authority to decide how Uganda should be governed. Whereas it is true that US or any other country cannot dictate how Uganda should be governed, common sense does not indicate that Ugandans can be well governed through the violence we are witnessing. When foreign countries start condemning abuse of human and constitutional rights in Uganda, it is not enough for government to just dismiss them politically.
It is sufficient signal that the international community is losing faith or confidence in our stability and democratic credentials as a country, which in turn will undermine our national development agenda. These clashes between police/security forces and Opposition and their civilian supporters on streets and other places create a scaring atmosphere that undermines the country's attractiveness to tourists, foreign investors and partnerships.
We are doing the right things on one side, but committing wrongs on the other thus negating our efforts. Two days ago, the country welcomed the revival of Uganda Airlines, which collapsed 20 years ago and the whole population is excited and looking forward to increased visitation into the country which will boost foreign earnings.
But at the same time, police and other security agencies are spearheading brutality on the Opposition to allow scaring images stream live on local and international media to scare away foreign visitors. What a futility!
"If I'm right, and I'm pretty sure I am," writes Dr. Epstein, Trump is capable of only a minimal level of analytical or critical thinking." (Photo: DonkeyHotey/flickr/cc)
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