Rwakasiisi should take responsibility
Jan 24, 2009
FOLLOWING his release from Luzira Prisons upon presidential pardon, Crispus Rwakasisi insists that he is innocent of the crimes for which he was sentenced to death 23 years ago.
FOLLOWING his release from Luzira Prisons upon presidential pardon, Crispus Rwakasisi insists that he is innocent of the crimes for which he was sentenced to death 23 years ago.
Rwakasisi, former Minister of State in the Office of the President in the Obote II regime, was in 1986 tried and found guilty of six counts of kidnap with intent to murder and sentenced to death.
The courts that tried and sentenced him were competent. To come out and insist he was simply framed is to abuse the courts and President’s gesture of mercy. It is an insult to the many Ugandans whom he should ask for forgiveness.
A presidential pardon does not mean the court was wrong in finding someone guilty. It is a mercy deed towards a convict. Therefore Rwakasisi’s unrepentant stance is unfortunate.
Whether or not he directly caused the death of anyone, Rwakasisi presided over a security system that was responsible for the death of many Ugandans during the Obote II regime.
He was the minister in charge of the National Security Agency (NASA), a brutal secret police well known for terrorising opposition politicians. He therefore shares the blame even if he did not personally murder anybody.
What efforts did he make to stop the killings that were rampant at Nile Mansions? He should apologise to all Ugandans, especially from those who lost relatives. At the very least he should be remorseful.
Rwakasisi, former Minister of State in the Office of the President in the Obote II regime, was in 1986 tried and found guilty of six counts of kidnap with intent to murder and sentenced to death.
The courts that tried and sentenced him were competent. To come out and insist he was simply framed is to abuse the courts and President’s gesture of mercy. It is an insult to the many Ugandans whom he should ask for forgiveness.
A presidential pardon does not mean the court was wrong in finding someone guilty. It is a mercy deed towards a convict. Therefore Rwakasisi’s unrepentant stance is unfortunate.
Whether or not he directly caused the death of anyone, Rwakasisi presided over a security system that was responsible for the death of many Ugandans during the Obote II regime.
He was the minister in charge of the National Security Agency (NASA), a brutal secret police well known for terrorising opposition politicians. He therefore shares the blame even if he did not personally murder anybody.
What efforts did he make to stop the killings that were rampant at Nile Mansions? He should apologise to all Ugandans, especially from those who lost relatives. At the very least he should be remorseful.