Col Gaddafi should never leave Tripoli!
Jul 28, 2010
EDITOR—I watched with amusement on television and saw newspapers pictures as Uganda’s security wrestled with the guards of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi! Whereas it looked hilarious, to me this is a disaster waiting to happen! It is not the first time this is happening and I wonder whether it d
EDITOR—I watched with amusement on television and saw newspapers pictures as Uganda’s security wrestled with the guards of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi! Whereas it looked hilarious, to me this is a disaster waiting to happen! It is not the first time this is happening and I wonder whether it does not worry Ugandan security chiefs.
The two groups were of course armed. What an embarrassment it would be if one member of the warring groups wounded or even killed someone!
When an army man shot civilians last year, President Museveni warned civilians not provoke armed men. Now what happens when armed men provoke each other? Uganda is a sovereign country and I think there are international guidelines as to how many guards a visiting dignitary can can have. If Gaddafi cannot trust our security and come with a limited number of guards, then the government of Uganda should advise him that he is not welcome. He should not cause chaos in the city. Ugandans must remember that this is the same Gaddafi who, in 1979, provided Idi Amin with soldiers to prop up the dictator’s murderous regime. Fortunately, they perished from the wrath of the Tanzanian Sabasaba. When Gaddafi went to New York in September 2009, he wanted to sleep in his own tent. However, the tent was dismantled because the residents of Bedford protested that it violated building codes.
Tema Kafeero
Nansana
EDITOR—At the opening of the Old Kampala mosque a few years ago, Muammar Gaddafi’s security detail fought our presidential guard. I thought that maybe he would prevail over them never to do such a thing again.
Now what was supposed to be a peaceful African Union summit turned into what I would best describe as a Gaddafi comedy! The fellows first hijacked security at Entebbe Airport and when they got to Muyonyo they tried to engage the Presidential Guard Brigade.
Fortunately, this time round the Ugandans had done their home work and subdued them. Then his walk in and out of the summit to enjoy a cup of tea is surely proof that the guy has no respect for his fellow leaders. At least he should respect the image of Libya. The country will outlive him. Gaddafi is simply a showoff who should never be invited when other leaders are having serious business to discuss.
Jako David Waluluka
Kampala
EDITOR—Next time Col Muammar Gaddafi visits Uganda, he should be assured who calls the shots here. Uganda may be a poor country but we don’t depend on Libya. What happens if we don’t invite him? In his thirst for attention, Gaddafi paints the curious picture of a circus master.
Why are his bodyguards allowed to terrorise people and cause a scuffle on foreign land as if we don’t have our own security? If Gaddafi is so insecure, he is best advised never to leave Tripoli. He is a nuisance! We should also be more serious with our sovereignty.
I remember, for more than three years, Parliament Avenue was half closed just because there had been terrorist threats and the British and US embassies were on Parliament Avenue. Can Uganda block part of Trafalgar Square in London because our High Commission is located there? Why do we allow foreigners to beat us and drag us in the mud in our own country?
Abdul Kasoma
Kampala
The two groups were of course armed. What an embarrassment it would be if one member of the warring groups wounded or even killed someone!
When an army man shot civilians last year, President Museveni warned civilians not provoke armed men. Now what happens when armed men provoke each other? Uganda is a sovereign country and I think there are international guidelines as to how many guards a visiting dignitary can can have. If Gaddafi cannot trust our security and come with a limited number of guards, then the government of Uganda should advise him that he is not welcome. He should not cause chaos in the city. Ugandans must remember that this is the same Gaddafi who, in 1979, provided Idi Amin with soldiers to prop up the dictator’s murderous regime. Fortunately, they perished from the wrath of the Tanzanian Sabasaba. When Gaddafi went to New York in September 2009, he wanted to sleep in his own tent. However, the tent was dismantled because the residents of Bedford protested that it violated building codes.
Tema Kafeero
Nansana
EDITOR—At the opening of the Old Kampala mosque a few years ago, Muammar Gaddafi’s security detail fought our presidential guard. I thought that maybe he would prevail over them never to do such a thing again.
Now what was supposed to be a peaceful African Union summit turned into what I would best describe as a Gaddafi comedy! The fellows first hijacked security at Entebbe Airport and when they got to Muyonyo they tried to engage the Presidential Guard Brigade.
Fortunately, this time round the Ugandans had done their home work and subdued them. Then his walk in and out of the summit to enjoy a cup of tea is surely proof that the guy has no respect for his fellow leaders. At least he should respect the image of Libya. The country will outlive him. Gaddafi is simply a showoff who should never be invited when other leaders are having serious business to discuss.
Jako David Waluluka
Kampala
EDITOR—Next time Col Muammar Gaddafi visits Uganda, he should be assured who calls the shots here. Uganda may be a poor country but we don’t depend on Libya. What happens if we don’t invite him? In his thirst for attention, Gaddafi paints the curious picture of a circus master.
Why are his bodyguards allowed to terrorise people and cause a scuffle on foreign land as if we don’t have our own security? If Gaddafi is so insecure, he is best advised never to leave Tripoli. He is a nuisance! We should also be more serious with our sovereignty.
I remember, for more than three years, Parliament Avenue was half closed just because there had been terrorist threats and the British and US embassies were on Parliament Avenue. Can Uganda block part of Trafalgar Square in London because our High Commission is located there? Why do we allow foreigners to beat us and drag us in the mud in our own country?
Abdul Kasoma
Kampala