DEADLY: Urban Hit Squad (‘Black Mambas’) at the High Court on November 16, 2005
SIR — The NRM and the FDC are the real political parties which matter. However, I have no hope in either Yoweri Museveni or Kizza Besigye, the leaders of these parties. Although I support neither, that does not blind me to what is happening.
Kintu Nyago, in his article “Besigye trial is proof of progress” published in the latest Sunday vision writes. “...it is inconceivable for any individual regardless of social status or group of people that are suspected to have committed treason in any Western country to be allowed to contest for political office at any level...”.
That is superb moral judgement but Nyago uses the argument to demonstrate that the fact that Besigye was ‘allowed’ to contest is proof of “fundamental change” in Uganda’s politics!
How many hurdles were hurled in Besigye’s way to prevent him from contesting?
Besigye is a special case and an embarrassment to the Government because of the position he has taken. That is why, as the principal suspect in the treason trial he is out on bail and his
co-accused are still in jail even when the High Court also granted them bail. Are the so-called ‘Black Mambas’ who surrounded the High Court in November last year to prevent a court ruling Nyago’s idea of “fundamental change” or President Museveni’s remarks that judges in Uganda were only fit to listen to cases of chicken thieves?
Has Nyago forgotten the scandalous ‘evidence’ given by the state witness who happens to be the CID boss in the Uganda Police Force, Elizabeth Kutesa, against besigye? There is no doubt if Besigye had contested under less hostile circumstances he would have performed much better than he did.
If treason is such a heinous crime, how do you explain Onen Kamdulu coming as a state witness, bearing in mind Nyago’s moral parameters?
Besigye and his co-accused remain suspects until or unless convicted but Kamdulu is a self-confessed rebel, arsonist, rapist and murderer! Would countries in the West which Nyago refers to entertain that kind of witness? Granted, Kamdulu applied for amnesty but does that absolve him of his guilt?
Amnesty merely means he will not be punished for his crimes. Isn’t he worse than a treason suspect?
Nyago, please support whom you like but make some effort to be honest and objective!
