Donors hail bail release
Jan 04, 2006
DONORS have applauded Uganda for the release on bail of FDC presidential candidate Kizza Besigye.
By Alfred Wasike
DONORS have applauded Uganda for the release on bail of FDC presidential candidate Kizza Besigye.
The donors said the action showed respect for the courts, a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said yesterday.
The statement followed a closed door meeting with foreign affairs minister Sam Kutesa at his office in Kampala.
The donor representatives at the meeting included the British High Commissioner, Francois Gordon, the Netherlands ambassador, Yoka Brandt and the United States embassy Charge d’Affaires, Nathan Holt.
Kutesa said, “They were delighted about the release of Besigye and the fact that he has not been re-arrested. They condemned the FDC rhetoric exalting violence.â€
“I told them that Uganda is committed to the rule of law, but nobody is above the law or can get away with impunity and we will guarantee a speedy trial for Besigye plus his co-accused because justice delayed is justice denied. I also told them that the Government of Uganda would also exercise its right to appeal the High Court’s decision,†he said.
“Speaking in his capacity as the British High Commissioner, Ambassador Francois informed Kutesa that recent events have increased the confidence of the British Government in the transition process and that they would be seen as the beginning of normalisation of bi-lateral relations between the UK and the Government of Uganda,†the foreign affairs ministry said.
They expressed confidence in the electoral process and applauded the Government’s move to accord Besigye benefits enjoyed by presidential candidates since his release on bail.
DONORS have applauded Uganda for the release on bail of FDC presidential candidate Kizza Besigye.
The donors said the action showed respect for the courts, a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said yesterday.
The statement followed a closed door meeting with foreign affairs minister Sam Kutesa at his office in Kampala.
The donor representatives at the meeting included the British High Commissioner, Francois Gordon, the Netherlands ambassador, Yoka Brandt and the United States embassy Charge d’Affaires, Nathan Holt.
Kutesa said, “They were delighted about the release of Besigye and the fact that he has not been re-arrested. They condemned the FDC rhetoric exalting violence.â€
“I told them that Uganda is committed to the rule of law, but nobody is above the law or can get away with impunity and we will guarantee a speedy trial for Besigye plus his co-accused because justice delayed is justice denied. I also told them that the Government of Uganda would also exercise its right to appeal the High Court’s decision,†he said.
“Speaking in his capacity as the British High Commissioner, Ambassador Francois informed Kutesa that recent events have increased the confidence of the British Government in the transition process and that they would be seen as the beginning of normalisation of bi-lateral relations between the UK and the Government of Uganda,†the foreign affairs ministry said.
They expressed confidence in the electoral process and applauded the Government’s move to accord Besigye benefits enjoyed by presidential candidates since his release on bail.