Should Obote be tried in absentia?
Aug 26, 2003
THE Human Rights Watch in the USA has made a list of several former Presidents and called for countries to try them. The list among others includes former Ugandan President Milton Obote. The body has called on the Ugandan government to try him quickly, before he dies. The list comes in the wake of t
THE Human Rights Watch in the USA has made a list of several former Presidents and called for countries to try them. The list among others includes former Ugandan President Milton Obote. The body has called on the Ugandan government to try him quickly, before he dies. The list comes in the wake of the death of former President Idi Amin, who never went under any trial, despite his so many acclaimed atrocities. Joshua Kato talked to a cross-section of Ugandans and below is what they said.
James Rwanyarare, chairman of the Uganda People’s Congress Presidential Policy Commission says, “Obote killed nobody. It is on record that Museveni admitted killing over 4,000 people in Luweero in 1985.†Besides a human rights probe carried out soon after Museveni came into power did not find Obote guilty of any atrocity.â€
John Nagenda, Presidential advisor on the media and public relations, and member of the probe committee says that Obote has got a lot of cases to answer. “We never cleared Obote of any wrong doing. Infact the committee’s findings indicate that Obote has got so many questions to answer.â€
Edward Ssentongo, a lawyer, “While Obote might not have directly involved himself in killing people, the fact is reign saw many people killed under unclear circumstances makes him responsible,†he explains that so many former dictators like Slobodan Milosovic who is under trial, at Hague did not practically take part in the atrocities. “As head of state, he was responsible for what was going on. This means that he can be asked to account for the deaths under his regime,†he adds.
Harriet Zawedde, saloon attendant “Although I would like reconciliation, I think that this is the time to set a precedent. Let Obote be tried,†she says. She explains that although she thinks that Amin was worse than Obote, the chance to try Amin was missed.
Timothy Mukasa, a lawyer who was in Luweero is a gunning for the Obote trial, “Obote’s regime verged on madness. His soldiers behaved beyond the boundaries of sanity. They raped, robbed and rampaged at will, so should all of us sit back and forgive? he asks. He adds, “Someone has got to answer for their sins and their leader was Obote so he has the task. He should be tried in his absentia.
Shida Nalubwama, “For purposes of reconciliation, I think that we should forgive all those who did bad to us. Trying them in courts of law will only lead to the opening of wounds that are healing,†she says. However, Shida says that by forgiving them, it does not mean that they did not kill any people. “I don’t agree with those who are saying that Amin or Obote did not kill,†she adds.
James Rwanyarare, chairman of the Uganda People’s Congress Presidential Policy Commission says, “Obote killed nobody. It is on record that Museveni admitted killing over 4,000 people in Luweero in 1985.†Besides a human rights probe carried out soon after Museveni came into power did not find Obote guilty of any atrocity.â€
John Nagenda, Presidential advisor on the media and public relations, and member of the probe committee says that Obote has got a lot of cases to answer. “We never cleared Obote of any wrong doing. Infact the committee’s findings indicate that Obote has got so many questions to answer.â€
Edward Ssentongo, a lawyer, “While Obote might not have directly involved himself in killing people, the fact is reign saw many people killed under unclear circumstances makes him responsible,†he explains that so many former dictators like Slobodan Milosovic who is under trial, at Hague did not practically take part in the atrocities. “As head of state, he was responsible for what was going on. This means that he can be asked to account for the deaths under his regime,†he adds.
Harriet Zawedde, saloon attendant “Although I would like reconciliation, I think that this is the time to set a precedent. Let Obote be tried,†she says. She explains that although she thinks that Amin was worse than Obote, the chance to try Amin was missed.
Timothy Mukasa, a lawyer who was in Luweero is a gunning for the Obote trial, “Obote’s regime verged on madness. His soldiers behaved beyond the boundaries of sanity. They raped, robbed and rampaged at will, so should all of us sit back and forgive? he asks. He adds, “Someone has got to answer for their sins and their leader was Obote so he has the task. He should be tried in his absentia.
Shida Nalubwama, “For purposes of reconciliation, I think that we should forgive all those who did bad to us. Trying them in courts of law will only lead to the opening of wounds that are healing,†she says. However, Shida says that by forgiving them, it does not mean that they did not kill any people. “I don’t agree with those who are saying that Amin or Obote did not kill,†she adds.