We want free and fair elections now
By Dr. Vincent Magombe
11th Oct 2010
The Ugandan Police Force must ask themselves the question – “Are we doing the right thing when we agree to kill, arrest, torture, or intimidate our fellow citizens when they decide to stand up to defend their constitutional rights.
The matter of FREE and FAIR elections is a constitutional matter whereby Ugandan citizens are guaranteed the right to vote for a government of their choice in a free and fair electoral dynamic. What Ambassador Otunnu and a growing number of other Ugandans are saying is simple – WE WANT FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS NOW! Is this too much to ask?
The Uganda Police Service will have to be on the side of the citizens, or on that of those who are violating the constitutional rights and freedoms of the people of Uganda. While nobody wants Uganda to go through the bloody and painful experience that Kenyans passed through, this will become inevitable – if the State (right from the Presidency, to such organs as the army and police) refuse to abide by the constitution of Uganda.
President Museveni and his Police and Army generals better listen to the non-violent cries of Ugandans before the country goes down to the dogs. It is not yet too late. Ugandans want the state to allow them to exercise their constitutional rights without any hindrances. If the state can’t provide this, then the citizens in their millions might seek to have them at any cost.
The writer is the Director of Africa Inform International
