DP's Mao says rule of law is in free fall

By Moses Mulondo

KAMPALA - Democratic Party (DP) President Norbert Mao has expressed concern that rule of law and constitutionalism in the country is drastically declining.

Addressing journalists Tuesday at the party headquarters in Kampala, Mao cited the re-appointment of Justice Benjamin Odoki and the approval of Gen Aronda Nyakairima as the latest indicators that the NRM government is bent on violating the constitution.

“The way police is suppressing the political activities of the opposition political parties and the way Dr. Kizza Besigye and the Kampala Lord Mayor have been mistreated, are all indicators that NRM violates the fundamental human rights of Ugandans,” elaborated the politician.

He argued that although DP does not believe in using violence to solve political quagmires, all the injustices that compelled President Museveni and his colleagues to wage a guerilla war against the UPC government are now prevailing.

“What even makes the NRM government worse than the UPC government is the unprecedented corruption. At least Dr. Milton Obote was not a thief,” he stated.

DP leaders have appealed to Benjamin Odoki to reject his re-appointment as Chief Justice to safeguard his legacy.

“Odoki is no longer qualified to be Chief Justice. He is above 70 years. Even Uganda Law Society has protested it,” Mao said.

“If Odoki rejects the re-appointment, we will decorate him a chief defender of our constitution and if he does not he will be harshly judged by history.

On the approval of Aronda, the DP leader said his party’s legal team will join Nathan Nandala Mafabi’s legal team in appealing to the constitutional court to overturn the appointment.

“We want the court to declare Aronda ineligible.”

On the poor welfare of police officers, the leaders of Uganda’s oldest political party have started a campaign for mobilizing Ugandans to contribute beans and maize flour to their families.

“DP headquarters will be the collection centre. Although police is used to terrorize us, they are brothers and sisters.

“They are unable to have food and salaries because their money is diverted into purchasing weapons of oppression like teargas,” declared Mao.