Binaisa’s case is testing the system in place

SIR— I find your editorial of July 5 and the various columns in your paper flaying former President Godfrey Binaisa are strident, to say the least.It is true that the Movement, especially President Yoweri Museveni put a lot of efforts in Binaisa’s return and near comfortable settlement at home.From various encounters with him, I am sure Binaisa is grateful to the current leadership in Uganda and could have used administrative contacts to pursue his legitimate claims against the state.However, it seems most Ugandans, especially in the media, do not appreciate tolerance and moderation as means of building a fragile society.Firstly, if Binaisa believes his removal from office was unlawful, accompanied by illegal confinement for eight months, it would be good to test our legal system.Two, there is nothing strange or unlawful for Binaisa to seek court action if the UPDF still occupies his property against his will and not paying rent as earlier agreed. He is pursuing the rule of law where others have used political blackmail.Buganda was paid the rent for all the time Uganda’s various armies occupied its seat at Mengo. Others are due to be paid too. Aggrey Awori was resettled and compensated for the destruction of his house in Bugiri.We all know about corrupt red-tape in the public service ministry and how awful it can be going up there frequently for Binaisa at 82, particularly when no one can give him convincing explanations about delays in his entitlements.If a whole former president can fail to obtain his dues fully, it will be difficult to convince ordinary people out there that we can enter serious commitments. Binaisa and the late Gen Tito Okello deserve credit for being the first former presidents to return home. Binaisa in particular does not deserve all that harassment. Instead of blaming him, let us examine and rectify the government system, which often promises, but delays on its commitment. That way we shall forge ahead.Ofwono-OpondoMovement Secretariat