‘The Correct Line’ reveals Nazism in Uganda
By Abbey K. Semuwemba
8th Nov 2010
It has taken me just six hours to finish reading Olive Kobusingye’s ‘The Correct Line’. I wonder what the fuss over the book was all about. There is nothing in the book that is not already known to the public. It may only be helpful to people who are still bathed in Musevenism and anti-Besigyesm.
On the ‘Safe Houses’
I was most touched by three chapters. One them was Chapter 9 which talks about ‘safe houses’ and how people are treated there. It makes one very angry with the current government. The kind of inhuman treatment people are subjected to speak volumes of the Nazism in African politics.
How can any human being subject another human being to such appalling torture just because they have been ordered to do so? The case that nearly drove me to tears was that of a lady called “Kesanyu” who ended up with puss coming out of her private parts after torture in a ‘safe house’ simply because she was a Besigye supporter. Her story is so touching you would think it is script for those nasty films we watch on TV.
On Uganda’s elections
Chapter 11 is another one that anybody who thinks Besigye lost the 2001 and 2006 elections needs to read. In this chapter, Olive acknowledges Beti Kamya’s role in Reform Agenda and also talks about the ordeal the Besigye family has gone through; especially how they were all forced into exile at some point. She also talks about how Khidu Mukubuya misused his position as Attorney General to try to keep Besigye’s face off the 2006 ballot papers.
Most importantly however, the chapter shows how the 2006 elections were rigged. It shows how Kiggundu’s EC came up with the results of the 2006 election. I have now lost all respect for the EC Chairman. How can any principled man remain in that position after what the world witnessed in 2006? It’s disgusting. No wonder some people are not going to waste time voting in these elections.
On the death of Besigye’s brother
Chapter 15 will make anybody feel for the Besigyes as Dr. Kobusingye describes the ordeal her brother Musasizi went through in prison before his death. There is a particular statement in this chapter that caught my eye. “…anyone who wanted to know what it was like to oppose Museveni need never wonder. And having a young brother die in this manner seemed so much a part of that wretched role”, she said.
The Besigye family don’t know me but let me send my condolences to Dr. Olive and Catherine [Musasizi’s wife] and her family. Where is the humanity in our leaders after this experience? I am also disappointed with doctors at Mulago who refused to write a medical report that could have enabled Musasizi to get bail and possibly better treatment.
The media and elections in Uganda
The New Vision has always been pro-Museveni and this is not going to change. But I suspect they will try to give fair coverage in these elections to ‘state friendly’ candidates like Mao whose message has been anti-Besigye.
According to Kobusingye, The New Vision got their story wrong on Okwir Rabwoni’s defection to Museveni’s camp during the 2001 elections. This story itself simply shows that The New Vision is always used by the incumbent as a PR machine.
Kobusingye suspects that it was Amelia Kyambadde and Tinyenfunza who were behind the Rwaboni defection story and they were disappointed when Rwaboni did not show up at a youth conference at Ranch on the Lake Hotel. While The New Vision’s lead story was that Rabwoni had defected to Museveni’s camp, the truth showed that he spent the night at Besigye’s house.
Ugandans should not to believe what they read in The New Vision and Bukedde. These papers are used to stitch up the opposition activists and make them look bad. It’s very poor journalism.
The tramped up charges
Two MPs from Northern Uganda were arrested and locked up over tramped up charges. An opposition activist, a certain Peter Olaya Yumbe, was arrested and later killed in prison. So read Akbar Godi’s story with a pinch of salt. You never know what this government is capable of.
According to ‘The Correct Line’, NRM chairman Alfred Bongomin was murdered in 2002 in Gulu by unknown people but the government stitched up some people in the opposition for this murder. Besigye has been arrested and tried by the same government over tramped up charges before he was finally acquitted of the treason charges this year.
All in all, those who can afford should buy this book. It’s worth reading. END. Please log into www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories and anytime mid-week for our news updates.
Mr. Abbey Semuwemba is a Ugandan living in the United Kingdom
