Kanyeihamba's views on women MPs smirk of male chauvinism

Mar 18, 2019

Why isn’t he moving a similar argument about male MPs?

By Bruno Serunkuma

Prof. George Kanyeihamba, who once served as a Supreme Court judge and as Attorney General, was recently in the news.

Although he contributes to intellectual and social discourse in Uganda, especially through newspapers, he has at the same time cut a niche for stirring controversy.

In his latest round of controversial discourses, he has argued that experienced Women MPs, who got elected on the affirmative action, have allegedly overstayed and should resign by 2021. What audacity!

Double standards

It is glaringly obvious that Kanyeihamba and like minds are targeting the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, who has been in the House since 1989. Others being targeted are Cecilia Ogwal and Ruth Nankabirwa; to mention but just a few.

These ladies joined politics when the National Resistance Council (NRC), sought to get national acceptance. Between 1986 and 1989, the NRC only comprised ‘Historicals'; men and a few women who had served as legislators during and after the five-year bush war.

During debate of the 1995 Constitution, it was decided that there be slots in Parliament for Women; Youth; Persons with Disabilities and the Army.

That background aside, Prof. Kanyeihamba is exhibiting double standards. Why isn't he moving a similar argument about male MPs? Some men have been in Parliament over the last 40 years; in fact, 10 years longer than the women he is attacking!

Here is a list to drive the point home:

Male MPs since the 1980s and 1990s up to date

1. Ephraim Kamuntu: 1979 - up to date.

2. Sam Kutesa: 1980 - up to date.

3. Philemon Mateke: 1979/1980 - up to date.

4. Kirunda Kivejinja: 1986 - up to date.

5. Gen. Elly Tumwiine: 1986 - up to date.

6. Tom Butime: 1986 - up to date.

7. Gen. Moses Ali: 1986 - up to date.

8. Gen. Ivan Koreta: 1986 - up to date.

9. Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire: 1986 - up to date.

10. Dr Ruhakana Rugunda: 1987 - to date.

11. Gen. Jeje Odongo: 1987 - to date.

10. Kalule Sengo: 1989 - up to date.

11. Charles Bakabulindi: 1991 - up to date (Workers' Representative)

12. Col. David Gumisiriza: 1996 - to date (Ibanda North)

13. Peter Lokeris: 1996 - up to date (Chekwii)

14. Dr Sam Lyomoki: 1996 - up to date (Workers' Rep)

15. Alex Ndeezi: 1996 - to date (PWD)

Dear readers, how many of you ever knew or realised that ministers Sam Kutesa, Ephraim Kamuntu and Dr Philemon Mateke have been in Parliament since 1979/80?

Why should it be right for these and other men to serve endless terms in political office, but wrong for women to do so; as long as they are subjected to free and fair elections? Prof. Kanyeihamba, and your ilk, where is the fairness in your arguments? If this isn't male chauvinism, then what is it?

Kanyeihamba, a distinguished lawyer, politician, social critic and academic, got the argument completely wrong. Should there be a ceiling that bars women from re-contesting, but none for the men? Is this what equality before the law is all about?

Uganda's Constitution outlines the National Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy. Under Political Objectives: Democratic Principles, it is stated thus: "The State shall be based on Democratic Principles which empower and encourage active participation of all citizens at all levels in their own governance; (ii). That all people shall have access to leadership positions at all levels, subject to the Constitution."

Therefore, as a Constitutional lawyer who played a pivotal role in drafting the said document, and as a long-serving Supreme Court judge, are you trying to abrogate this sacred national set of principles?

Finally, as a key ‘midwife' of that Constitution, are you now trying to re-write it?

The writer is a concerned Ugandan

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