Polls won’t be fair - Kanyeihamba
Sep 05, 2009
THE 2011 elections are not likely to be free and fair, Supreme Court Judge Prof. George Kanyeihamba has warned.
By Francis Kagolo
THE 2011 elections are not likely to be free and fair, Supreme Court Judge Prof. George Kanyeihamba has warned.
Kanyeihamba said President Yoweri Museveni and the NRM’s refusal to heed calls for electoral reforms ahead of 2011 was an indication of a ploy not to organise fair elections.
“Politics is like a football match. If one team, which is participating, were to select the referee, the linesmen and even the match commissars, how would you say this is a fair and free match?†he asked.
He was referring to the president’s power to appoint members of the electoral commission.
He made the remarks on Wednesday night on Straight Talk Africa, a talk show moderated by Shaka Ssali on Voice of America.
The show is relayed live on WBS television. Kanyeihamba participated by remote television from the UK.
“We watched a football match where the referee wrongly awarded Nigeria’s team a penalty against Uganda Cranes. All of us, including MPs and ministers, shouted that it was unfair. Why then, can’t the same ministers see this before 2011?†he asked.
Kanyeihamba attacked the president over the statement that he is the only one with a vision for Uganda. “To say he is the only one with a vision is to confess that in 23 years he has failed to build institutional governance and failed to groom someone to succeed him. It is in the interest of Uganda for him (Museveni) to do so (leave power), because even after 40 years, we shall require a successor.â€
Kanyeihamba explained that elections were meant to legitimise the government and ensure that various political parties get a chance to acquire power.
But this has failed in Uganda and many other African countries, he noted, adding that President Museveni rigged the 2006 elections that won him a third term. “If you rig elections and deny the public an opportunity to choose their leaders, you are causing problems.â€
The Police and the army were mistreating the opposition, he noted, adding that both bodies were partisan. “The Police is partisan. The army in Uganda is partisan. They have wholeheartedly supported the side of the incumbent (Museveni).â€
Kanyeihamba’s co-discussant, Prof. Joel Barkan of the Centre for Strategic and international Studies, said unless civil society, including the church and media teamed up with the opposition to challenge the Government, Museveni would not leave power.
“President Museveni will continue to get away with what he does. Uganda has occupied a special place in the international community. Very few donors are prepared to squeeze Museveni,†Barkan said.
THE 2011 elections are not likely to be free and fair, Supreme Court Judge Prof. George Kanyeihamba has warned.
Kanyeihamba said President Yoweri Museveni and the NRM’s refusal to heed calls for electoral reforms ahead of 2011 was an indication of a ploy not to organise fair elections.
“Politics is like a football match. If one team, which is participating, were to select the referee, the linesmen and even the match commissars, how would you say this is a fair and free match?†he asked.
He was referring to the president’s power to appoint members of the electoral commission.
He made the remarks on Wednesday night on Straight Talk Africa, a talk show moderated by Shaka Ssali on Voice of America.
The show is relayed live on WBS television. Kanyeihamba participated by remote television from the UK.
“We watched a football match where the referee wrongly awarded Nigeria’s team a penalty against Uganda Cranes. All of us, including MPs and ministers, shouted that it was unfair. Why then, can’t the same ministers see this before 2011?†he asked.
Kanyeihamba attacked the president over the statement that he is the only one with a vision for Uganda. “To say he is the only one with a vision is to confess that in 23 years he has failed to build institutional governance and failed to groom someone to succeed him. It is in the interest of Uganda for him (Museveni) to do so (leave power), because even after 40 years, we shall require a successor.â€
Kanyeihamba explained that elections were meant to legitimise the government and ensure that various political parties get a chance to acquire power.
But this has failed in Uganda and many other African countries, he noted, adding that President Museveni rigged the 2006 elections that won him a third term. “If you rig elections and deny the public an opportunity to choose their leaders, you are causing problems.â€
The Police and the army were mistreating the opposition, he noted, adding that both bodies were partisan. “The Police is partisan. The army in Uganda is partisan. They have wholeheartedly supported the side of the incumbent (Museveni).â€
Kanyeihamba’s co-discussant, Prof. Joel Barkan of the Centre for Strategic and international Studies, said unless civil society, including the church and media teamed up with the opposition to challenge the Government, Museveni would not leave power.
“President Museveni will continue to get away with what he does. Uganda has occupied a special place in the international community. Very few donors are prepared to squeeze Museveni,†Barkan said.