I think Andrew Mwenda drives his wishes through!
Nov 26, 2002
SIR— Andrew Mwenda’s article “Why Museveni is becoming intolerant†which appeared in one of our dailies on November 24 is interesting.
SIR— Andrew Mwenda’s article “Why Museveni is becoming intolerant†which appeared in one of our dailies on November 24 is interesting.
However, Mwenda knows that defamatory statements in the media, be it print or broadcasting, damage both the image of the media house in question and the person the defamatory statements are directed to. He is using media house to be used to vent feelings of dislike, hate and anger like what people like Kizza Besigye are doing. Then we are missing our media ethics.
Mwenda is mixing up issues, because closing down The Monitor has nothing to do with the alleged failure of Operation Iron Fist, if it has failed! The temporary closure of The Monitor came after Operation Iron Fist had achieved a lot. For instance, Kony’s permanent bases in Sudan were destroyed and through this the UPDF made it clear to the LRA that Sudan or any neighbouring country is not a haven. The LRA was put on great pressure and apart from its selective killings of wananchi, less of their expectations were achieved. There was total closure of the trunk routes they used; the UPDF occupied the entire northern region, stopped major towns and trading centres from being used as supply centres for the LRA; the rebels’ vicious attacks on medical centres as well as on camps for internally displaced persons have been minimised. Can all this be branded as failure?
Unfortunately, the LRA has killed Ugandans because of reasons Mwenda knows very well and which President Museveni has laboured to spell out for people like him to learn. Can Mwenda tell us any territory of Uganda under LRA control? Which road is closed? How many medical centres are closed? How many captives has UPDF rescued?
Sgt Joseph Bainomugisha
UPDF, Nakasongola
However, Mwenda knows that defamatory statements in the media, be it print or broadcasting, damage both the image of the media house in question and the person the defamatory statements are directed to. He is using media house to be used to vent feelings of dislike, hate and anger like what people like Kizza Besigye are doing. Then we are missing our media ethics.
Mwenda is mixing up issues, because closing down The Monitor has nothing to do with the alleged failure of Operation Iron Fist, if it has failed! The temporary closure of The Monitor came after Operation Iron Fist had achieved a lot. For instance, Kony’s permanent bases in Sudan were destroyed and through this the UPDF made it clear to the LRA that Sudan or any neighbouring country is not a haven. The LRA was put on great pressure and apart from its selective killings of wananchi, less of their expectations were achieved. There was total closure of the trunk routes they used; the UPDF occupied the entire northern region, stopped major towns and trading centres from being used as supply centres for the LRA; the rebels’ vicious attacks on medical centres as well as on camps for internally displaced persons have been minimised. Can all this be branded as failure?
Unfortunately, the LRA has killed Ugandans because of reasons Mwenda knows very well and which President Museveni has laboured to spell out for people like him to learn. Can Mwenda tell us any territory of Uganda under LRA control? Which road is closed? How many medical centres are closed? How many captives has UPDF rescued?
Sgt Joseph Bainomugisha
UPDF, Nakasongola