INDEED THE MONTH HAS BEEN HECTIC
By John Blanshe
Musinguzi
“Being
democratic is not enough, a majority cannot turn what is wrong into right. In
order to be considered truly free, countries must also have a deep love for
liberty and an abiding respect for the rule of law”
Around
Makerere University, the month is always termed as “black November.” This is due to many tests, course works, strikes
and more of it all scarcity of a shilling among community members. For the lord
mayor, “November has been blacker” as
the he was impeached, re-instated and then re-impeached by Attorney General.
The
saga began with Lukwago on 7th claiming that government had
finalised plan to kick him out of the city hall.
On
14th, the tribunal led by Justice Bamugemereire released the 2,748
pages document. Among others, it recommended that the Lord Mayor be impeached.
The report was handed to Minister for Kampala Frank Tumwebaze to start process
of implementing these recommendation.
On
Tuesday 19th, four councilors were elected to fully constitute the
City Council. These were Mr Frank
Kanduho, of the Uganda Law Society, Ms Verna Mwinganisa Mbabazi of the Uganda
Society of Architects, Mr Karuma Kagyina of the Uganda Institution of
Professional Engineers and Mr Benson Nyabwana of the Uganda Medical Association
were sworn in at the KCCA parking lot.
On Thursday 21st, KCCA Executive Director
Jennifer Musisi rushed swearing-in of these councilors
On the same day, former FDC leader
Kizza Besigye and Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago were released on 40M non cash bond
by Buganda Road Court. This was nearly after 72hours in custody centrally to
constitutional 48 hours.
On Monday 25th, the most
controversial day during the Lord Mayor impeachment process. The Lord Mayor
kicked out of office. In a special council meeting chaired by Frank Tumwebaze
the minister in charge of the Presidency and the Kampala Capital City Authority
(KCCA), 29 councilors voted in favour of removing Lukwago. Only three
councilors were against.
On the same day High Court deputy Registrar
Fred Waninda issued an interim injunction, restraining Kampala Minister
Frank Tumwebaze from implementing the vote of no confidence against Mr
Lukwago, until the High reviews the tribunal
Unfortunately, Mr Lukwago’s lawyer
Abudullah Kiwanuka who had gone to KCCA to serve the minister with court
injunction that had blocked his censure, was beaten up like a chicken thief by
plain-clothed police officers
On Thursday 28th, High
Court Judge Yasin Nyanzi ordered Kampala Minister Frank Tumwebaze to stop the
implementation of the tribunal report that paved way for the censure of Lord
Mayor Erias Lukwago until his main application challenging the Justice
Catherine Bamugemereire recommendations is determined.
On the same day Jennifer Musisi
announced unprecedented closure of KCCA citing security threats. This came
hours after Lukwago statement that he would march to his office at City Hall to
resume his duties
**************
It is fascinating that Lukwago is the
Lord Mayor according to some city residents while others call him former Lord Mayor.
Historians must have had a busy month writing the history of how he was
impeached. We shall always retell this history to the future generations.
The impeachments process was
dominated by abuse of human rights. I could not believe and I am still
wondering why Abdul Kiwanuka, a lawyer was inhumanly beaten in such away by the
police. It was as if he is not a human being. It should be remembered that fundamental
human rights and freedoms of individuals are inherent and not guaranteed by the
state. It’s interesting that our constitution (20, 2) say that the rights and
freedoms of individual and groups shall be upheld and respected and promoted by
all organs and agencies of government and all persons. Where is respect of
these rights by the police?.
As Margaret Thatcher said “being democratic is not enough, a majority cannot
turn what is wrong into right. In order to be considered truly free, countries
must also have a deep love for liberty and an abiding respect for the rule of
law.” NRM has the majority but there will never be a day when NRM will
turn what is wrong into right.
I also wonder whether our
politicians know that power is dynamic. Time will come whether in good or bad
will leave power. What next?, it will be time to answer millions of questions.
My tribute to the Erias Lukwago, you
may have to fight a battle more than once to win it. A thousands elected you,
how can 29 kick you out of office?. No, no, no.
John
blanshe Musinguzi is a journalism and communication student at Makerere University
Tweet:johnblanshe_m
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