Why does civil society, donors employ double standards?
Feb 05, 2016
I am particularly encouraged by the several interventions made by the Inter Religious Council of Uganda by sensitising their followers about the dangers of political violence and urging the public to turn up in big numbers on February 18 to vote.
By Haji Nsereko Mutumba
I would like to commend those individuals and organisations that have invested heavily in efforts to ensure a peaceful pre and post-election Uganda.
I am particularly encouraged by the several interventions made by the Inter Religious Council of Uganda by sensitising their followers about the dangers of political violence and urging the public to turn up in big numbers on February 18 to vote.
It is, however, unfortunate that as these peace loving people struggle to ensure that the elections are peaceful, certain individuals and organisations are still bent on double standards and suspicions, especially when it comes to the issue of crime prevention. The recruitment and training of crime preventers by the Police is a necessary measure to detect, prevent and fight crime in the country.
I am, however, perturbed by some of our friends, especially from the donors and civil society who think otherwise.
Interestingly, the Opposition are recruiting militias whom they say will counter the Government's security forces during elections. They include Power10 by the Forum for Democratic Change and Solida. These are illegal but why have the donors and civil society activists not come out to condemn them and demand for their disbandment.
One of the presidential candidates is conducting a campaign of defiance not compliance. This is tantamount to inciting violence but he has never been condemned for this dangerous declaration. As I write this piece, several prominent Muslims clerics have been murdered, others detained and others on the hit list. If the critics care so much about the rights and safety of Ugandans, they should have come out strongly to condemn such acts.
Recently, some two priests came under fire from their superiors for praying for Haji Muyanja Mbabaali a parliamentary candidate in Lwengo District These were accused of directly involving directly in politics, yet clerics like Father Gaetano and Father Byaruhanga of Christ the King Church Kabale prayed for Kizza Besigye and they went scot free.
My concern is that, for the sake of fairness and peaceful elections, faith leaders, diplomats, civil society activists and observers should be seen to be objective. When it comes to criticising unlawful activities, all those involved should be criticised regardless of their status or affiliation in society.
The writer is the spokesperson of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC).