"Remember Hon. why did government apologise to Mr. Sigurd Illing's compassionate action? 
It is about the outrageously unbecoming and, by extension, heartless remarks and behaviour of state minister Betty Akech. That the American Embassy has cynically "forgiven" her, is a diplomatic irony. Government's most sensible option is to diplomatically thank them, and ask Akech to go home. "

But, far and away, laurels go to the President's remarks against Justice George Kanyeihamba: in my view, one of the most candid, principled, impartial, fearless and elite-adored professionals Uganda has produced. 

He was denunciated for saying that peasants have no real power or some such words, at a seminar in Mbarara. The President said he would "fix" him. Secondly, he affirmed that Kanyeihamba was not fit to be a judge! 


----- Original Message ----- 

To: [log in to unmask] 
Cc: [log in to unmask] ; [log in to unmask] 
Sent: Saturday, March 27, 2004 9:02 PM
Subject: In theory peasants have power 


In theory peasants have power 
Perspective: By F.D.R.Gureme 
March 28 - April 3, 2004

      What I have heard recently, reminds me of an allegory. A king prepares a feast for dignitaries, and foreign guests. His chief cook must prepare the best food imaginable. When guests are seated, the dishes begin to arrive. 

      Presently the king notices that each vessel contains well-seasoned tongues. He orders one of the waiters to tell the cook to send other dishes, there being too much tongue already. 

      The waiter returns to report that there are no other dishes except tongues. He orders that the cook come before him. Asked to explain, the cook reminds the king that he had directed him to prepare the best food ever. 

      He had complied! The king wished to know why he considered the tongue the best food. "Well, Sire, the tongue is the key to all goodness. God is worshiped with tongue; with it we praise the good; make friendships; give wise counsel; convey royal edicts and instructions." Continuing he says, "It is indeed the tongue." The king impatiently interrupts him and asks guests what they think. All agree with the cook. 

      Reluctantly pardoning the cook, the king challenged him to cook the worst foods for the next feast two weeks later. Imagine the king's consternation when only tongues were served. 

      Put to task the cook averred that the tongue was the worst instrument of a kingdom's interactions. It issues insults to neighbours: often including His Majesty. It organises treason. It conspires in blasphemy. The wise cook again won the applause of guests.

      Recent events have demonstrated the evils of the tongue; and that all leaders must restrain it. This has not let off yet despite government apology to the head of the EU mission, denigrated for writing to Kony at the behest of the President's brother. 

      Remember Hon. why did government apologise to Mr. Sigurd Illing's compassionate action? 
      It is about the outrageously unbecoming and, by extension, heartless remarks and behaviour of state minister Betty Akech. That the American Embassy has cynically "forgiven" her, is a diplomatic irony. Government's most sensible option is to diplomatically thank them, and ask Akech to go home. 

      But, far and away, laurels go to the President's remarks against Justice George Kanyeihamba: in my view, one of the most candid, principled, impartial, fearless and elite-adored professionals Uganda has produced. 

      He was denunciated for saying that peasants have no real power or some such words, at a seminar in Mbarara. The President said he would "fix" him. Secondly, he affirmed that Kanyeihamba was not fit to be a judge! Significantly, among the opinions that the judge expressed at the seminar was his disagreement with the fifth term project. 

      Thus, barring the law, he would have followed the likes of Kategaya, Bidandi, and Miria Matembe. The question is, or rather questions are: Although praise singers now take coarse language at the apex as the norm, were the President's utterances seemly? 

      Take the word "fix." Webster's New World Dictionary (1986) defines it as: to revenge oneself on; get even with; punish or chastise.

      The popular Collins Thesaurus defines it as: get even with; get revenge on; pay back; settle someone's hash; sort someone out; take retribution on; wreck vengeance on. Yet the Oxford Thesaurus, American Edition (1992) equates "fix" to: retaliate against; wreck vengeance on; hit, strike or get back at; get even with; even the score with; make reprisals against; avenge oneself against; take revenge or retribution against.settle someone's hash; cook someone's goose; sort someone out. 

      What would have been the inference if anything had happened to Kanyeihamba on his way back from Mbarara? Indeed I believe Professor Kanyeihamba will be getting hundreds of messages from international human rights organisations, freedom lovers and constitutionalists all over the free world.

      And what are the illegality - or legality - of his expressed views? Kanyeihamba's remarks, in my view, are not only factual; they are reflective of the constitution and laws of Uganda. Really, Kanyeihamba not fit to be a judge? Let us briefly examine the latter's profile. 

      He is the only judge with a PhD. in our judiciary establishment. He is the only African judge twice asked by the Commonwealth of Nations to head commissions of enquiry into judicial affairs of member states; the only judge to be asked to head a panel of experts to enquire into the judicial and executive matters of another state, by the International Commission of Jurists; the first - and current - President of the African Chapter of the International Association of Refugee Law Judges. If ever anyone was fit to be judge - or greater - Kanyeihamba is your man.

      I find it rather menacing for the President: the chief guardian and protector of our Constitution and laws, to utter such vitriol against an officer virtually unable to defend himself against vituperation by the Head of State. It does not require a Ssempebwa or an Odoki to study and understand that what the professor said were reflections on the provisions of the Constitution and Local Governments Act. 

      To be sure, and in theory, power does belong to the people, including the peasants. But they will normally exercise it through their elected representatives or referenda. 

      Yet, from LC III to the President - and Parliament - each leader must have minimum qualifications. And who takes day-to-day decisions that affect us, as peasants till the ground and graze their livestock; isn't it the elite President, MPs, and councillors? 

      The referenda themselves are designed and issued by these leaders. The peasants are currently only called upon to express a guided yes or no to texts already made for them.

      Did any peasant participate in framing the last question of the latest referendum on governance; was it not designed by a highly qualified and elitist team; led by a Justice of the Supreme Court? 

      Truth to tell, Museveni must denounce the core cause of his outbursts: namely retention of power; in his own and Uganda's interest. Management experts maintain that a manager's vivacity, originality and innovation are given in five years. Subsequent services consist of boring repetitions before retirement. That is the point at which a good manager should be nominally kicked upstairs if there is room. Otherwise he should quit when the going is still good.

      Contact: 077401173 
     

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