Political Shenanigans? We are in it together

Apr 11, 2016

I am sure the 10th Parliament will revisit existing laws and electoral reforms to uphold key democratic benchmarks as Court judgement advised. One would have thought it’s time to move on; but alas, sniper fire from diplomats such as Ambassadors - Samantha Power and Debora Malac continues unabated.

By Dennis Katungi

Arising out of the recent general elections, Uganda has taken some flak.  It started with the Observer reports not being really complimentary. They never are. 

Some observers criticised the process on delay of voting materials, blockage of social media, so called harassment of opposition candidates and journalists and questioned the independence of the Electoral Commission.  But others gave the exercise some credit.

The Government had a logical explanation on all the points raised, and the Electoral Commission having extended voting time in the few affected areas, apologised for the short comings.

The same issues came up again in the petition filed by Amama Mbabazi challenging the election outcome. After due process in the High court, it was determined by an entire quorum of judges that the Elections, despite shortfalls - reflected the will of the people of Uganda.

I am sure the 10th Parliament will revisit existing laws and electoral reforms to uphold key democratic benchmarks as Court judgement advised.  One would have thought it's time to move on; but alas, sniper fire from diplomats such as Ambassadors - Samantha Power and Debora Malac continues unabated.

I would like to refer them to Ofwono Opondo's remarks in a press release of Thursday April 7, 2016 - "The U.S, which uses raw power  to project its influence and interests around the world, is the least competent to ask other nations for democratic accountability"  They really are being undiplomatic.

What's happening elsewhere? Britain rejected Mugabe's choice of Ambassador to the United Kingdom.  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office took the unusual step of rejecting Zimbabwe's newly appointed envoy because of his links to the policy of expropriating white-owned land in Zimbabwe.  Ray Ndhlukula, 56, is said to be one of the beneficiaries of seized farms in the western province of Matabeleland.  Under the Vienna Convention, countries can reject ambassadors designated by foreign governments. Under article 4 of the Convention, the host country is not obliged to give a reason for refusing to accredit a foreign diplomat.  So, bad blood still runs between President Mugabe and the Brits.

The Prime Minister of Iceland Sigmundur Gunnlaugsson became the first head of state to step down after more than 11 million documents were made public this week detailing the role that law firm Mossack Fonseca played in setting up offshore companies and secret accounts through which laundering and tax evasion regularly took place. This has shaken the western world.

A total of 12 current or former world leaders, including U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron, were identified in the trove of leaked documents in connection with offshore banking. Documents reveal Politicians and the super-rich who stash away their money to avoid paying taxes.

Alongside world politicians, you will find dictators and other dodgy figures like Strauss Kahn disgraced former IMF bank boss on the lists of tax avoiders.  Associates of Presidents Assad, Putin, Mugabe are named. David Cameron's family wealth is revealed to have been built on offshore jurisdictions whose secrecy deter tax inspectors, regulators, police and the curious.  His late father, Ian, managed funds in Panama, Switzerland and Jersey and was estimated by the Sunday Times to be worth £10 million. 

The British Premier, educated at top Public School Eton and then Oxford once denied that his was a life of privilege. He is quoted as having said then: "You can't say I'm rich when I've never owned a Private Jet and I have no friends with a private jet". His take home pay from Downing Street is £150,000 annually and he owns properties in London and Oxford. His wife Samantha, the daughter of Sir Reginald Sheffield owns land in Scunthorpe and her family, owns property estimated at more than £20 million.

The Brits themselves are not home and dry with the campaign for ‘Brexit' the catch word for the campaign for Britain to leave the European Union.  This week no 10 Downing Street angered Brexit supporters by saying that it would spend £9.5 million on a 16-page glossy brochure, a new website and online advertising to persuade the public to vote June 23rd to stay in the European Union. Critics are aghast that Ministers were disingenuous when they promised that the campaign for YES or NO to EU would be on a level playing field. Government is now spending taxpayer's money to campaign for YES.  There you go, life goes on.

The writer works at the Uganda Media Centre

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