Well done, Olara Otunnu
Apr 23, 2011
UGANDA People’s Congress president Olara Otunnu on Tuesday warned supporters against causing violence in the city during the walk-to-work protests. Otunnu said the party would hand over to Police any of its members who engaged in violent acts such as looting and violence.
UGANDA People’s Congress president Olara Otunnu on Tuesday warned supporters against causing violence in the city during the walk-to-work protests. Otunnu said the party would hand over to Police any of its members who engaged in violent acts such as looting and violence.
Politicians can greatly influence their supporters by making such statements. Two days later Otunnu walked from his Naguru residence to Uganda House, escorted by Police, and his supporters did not cause any chaos.
Other opposition leaders have a lot to learn from Otunnu. In a democracy, participation in a peaceful demonstration or protest is a way of raising one’s concerns with the aim of getting them addressed. It should have nothing to do with throwing stones, looting and hurting others.
Indeed the same Constitution that guarantees freedom of expression and association, says in exercising these freedoms you should not infringe on other people’s rights and freedoms.
In Uganda, unfortunately, demonstrators often turn violent while opposition political leaders portray them as innocent civilians who are brutalized by the Police, even when TV and newspaper pictures show the rioters looting goods, pelting cars and burning up business kiosks.
A good example is the Mabira Forest give-away demonstration in 2007. It was permitted by the Police yet it turned into one of Kampala’s worst riots.
If such mayhem is to be avoided, political leaders have to act responsibly.
Politicians can greatly influence their supporters by making such statements. Two days later Otunnu walked from his Naguru residence to Uganda House, escorted by Police, and his supporters did not cause any chaos.
Other opposition leaders have a lot to learn from Otunnu. In a democracy, participation in a peaceful demonstration or protest is a way of raising one’s concerns with the aim of getting them addressed. It should have nothing to do with throwing stones, looting and hurting others.
Indeed the same Constitution that guarantees freedom of expression and association, says in exercising these freedoms you should not infringe on other people’s rights and freedoms.
In Uganda, unfortunately, demonstrators often turn violent while opposition political leaders portray them as innocent civilians who are brutalized by the Police, even when TV and newspaper pictures show the rioters looting goods, pelting cars and burning up business kiosks.
A good example is the Mabira Forest give-away demonstration in 2007. It was permitted by the Police yet it turned into one of Kampala’s worst riots.
If such mayhem is to be avoided, political leaders have to act responsibly.