Pastor Sempa’s protest was justified
Dec 01, 2008
EDITOR—Waiswa Magoola’s letter titled: “Pastor Ssempa Is Getting Distracted†(The New Vision, November 25) is an indicator of why we need to educate the masses on the issue of Pan Africanism and the role of faith in nation-building.
EDITOR—Waiswa Magoola’s letter titled: “Pastor Ssempa Is Getting Distracted†(The New Vision, November 25) is an indicator of why we need to educate the masses on the issue of Pan Africanism and the role of faith in nation-building.
Waiswa is bothered that Pastor Ssempa comes out to lead a demonstration against the French for the arrest of Rose Kabuye, a Rwandese diplomat.
First, Waiswa should recall that religious leaders have historically led a God-centred campaign to stand for the rights of the people such as the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, who fought for the rights of Africans living in America. Imagine if Rev. Dr. Martin Luther had not stepped forward to mobilise people non-violently, there would be no Obama in the White House today and racism would still be alive. Dr.
Ssempa has protested high UMEME tariffs, Red Pepper pornography, homosexuality and many others.
Now, Ssempa has also come out to protest the arrest, by France, of Rose Kabuye on the grounds that there was a conflict of interest by France in this case. Ssempa was not saying that Kabuye may or may not have a case to answer, rather he was clearly pointing out that France did not have the moral right to handle this case as it was clearly implicated in arming and supporting the perpetrators of genocide in the ‘Mucyo report’ which can be found on the Rwandese government website.
Accordingly;
-France knew that genocide was being planned.
-France offered open military support, training and weaponry to the perpetrators of genocide.
-France prepared lists of suspected Tutsi and others who were opposed to the government, giving them to genociders.
-France appointed Col. Bogosora “Mr. Prepare for Apocalypse†who was the chief architect of the genocide.
-France offered open diplomatic and military support to Bogosora’s interim government while it was openly committing genocide.
-France delivered arms and ammunition to the interim government during the genocide.
-The French occupation led to further massacres in the ‘humanitarian safe zones’.
-High-level French political and military leaders were involved in the 1994 massacre.
In light of these facts, it is, therefore, unthinkable that anyone in Rwanda can get a free and fair trial. France has conflict of interest and must immediately get its hands off this case. Beside, as of now the major witness in the case has already stated that Judge Bruguiere’s case was built on lies, bias and prejudice.
Finally, in the days of the East African Community, Waisswa’s thinking must change.
Rwandese, Kenyans, Tanzanians, Burundians are all our brothers and sisters. We stand with them in solidarity as they struggle for independence against French neo-colonialism.
James Okurut
Makerere University
Waiswa is bothered that Pastor Ssempa comes out to lead a demonstration against the French for the arrest of Rose Kabuye, a Rwandese diplomat.
First, Waiswa should recall that religious leaders have historically led a God-centred campaign to stand for the rights of the people such as the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, who fought for the rights of Africans living in America. Imagine if Rev. Dr. Martin Luther had not stepped forward to mobilise people non-violently, there would be no Obama in the White House today and racism would still be alive. Dr.
Ssempa has protested high UMEME tariffs, Red Pepper pornography, homosexuality and many others.
Now, Ssempa has also come out to protest the arrest, by France, of Rose Kabuye on the grounds that there was a conflict of interest by France in this case. Ssempa was not saying that Kabuye may or may not have a case to answer, rather he was clearly pointing out that France did not have the moral right to handle this case as it was clearly implicated in arming and supporting the perpetrators of genocide in the ‘Mucyo report’ which can be found on the Rwandese government website.
Accordingly;
-France knew that genocide was being planned.
-France offered open military support, training and weaponry to the perpetrators of genocide.
-France prepared lists of suspected Tutsi and others who were opposed to the government, giving them to genociders.
-France appointed Col. Bogosora “Mr. Prepare for Apocalypse†who was the chief architect of the genocide.
-France offered open diplomatic and military support to Bogosora’s interim government while it was openly committing genocide.
-France delivered arms and ammunition to the interim government during the genocide.
-The French occupation led to further massacres in the ‘humanitarian safe zones’.
-High-level French political and military leaders were involved in the 1994 massacre.
In light of these facts, it is, therefore, unthinkable that anyone in Rwanda can get a free and fair trial. France has conflict of interest and must immediately get its hands off this case. Beside, as of now the major witness in the case has already stated that Judge Bruguiere’s case was built on lies, bias and prejudice.
Finally, in the days of the East African Community, Waisswa’s thinking must change.
Rwandese, Kenyans, Tanzanians, Burundians are all our brothers and sisters. We stand with them in solidarity as they struggle for independence against French neo-colonialism.
James Okurut
Makerere University