An open letter to the New Vision Editors
By Dr. Vincent Magombe
18th Oct 2010
Dear New Vision Editors, I am writing to you concerning the article you recently published in your pages about Dr. Kizza Besigye’s victory in the Constitutional Court of Uganda. This was the decision to quash the treason and terrorism cases against Dr. Kizza Besigye.
First, let me congratulate the New Vision for publishing news that is clearly BAD news for the government. Most Ugandans expect the New Vision to act like a public media instrument rather than a State propaganda tool.
Publishing a story which proves that the NRM government has grossly violated the constitution of Uganda, and that the pro-government security forces acted (and must stop acting) in such a wanton, illegal and anti-people manner, is something we must all celebrate.
We hope that this new trend at the New Vision will grow and mature. The unravelling electoral period will be the true test of the professionalism of the New Vision editors and journalists. They will have to show Ugandans that they can be objective, even-handed, and always on the side of the people rather than being a biased, partisan, and anti-people organ.
What we now expect of the New Vision is for our ‘good professional friends’ to start focusing on other equally important national issues where, quite clearly, the government has got it wrong and is acting in unconstitutional ways.
The most immediate case which is about to hit the corridors of the much respected Constitutional Court is the one being prepared by UPC party President Ambassador Olara Otunnu regarding the Electoral Commission.
At the heart of the argument in the UPC petition to the Constitutional Court will be the unconstitutional and illegal manner in which President Museveni extended the employment contracts of the present EC Commissioners without prior agreement from all stakeholders, i.e. the other political parties and Ugandan voters as a whole. The issue of a defective voters register is another central matter.
The questions that have to be put to the New Vision media fraternity are: Why aren’t we seeing vibrant, informative, and unbiased stories, reflecting this very important national matter? Why are we hearing from the UPC Party that their President, and indeed the Party itself, are being boycotted by the New Vision? Where is the objectivity, non-partisanship, and national character of the New Vision? The UPC President recently launched a major initiative called the National Social Movement whose Positive Non-Violent Resistance for free and fair elections deserves adequate and proper news coverage.
It is an important national story. Just like the UPC case being taken to the Constitutional Court, the National Social Movement story is one that could determine how events in our dear country are shaped come the 2011 elections and beyond.
Is it that the New Vision does not see the crucial nature of the problems relating to the Electoral Commission? Doesn’t the New Vision believe that it is unconstitutional for the EC to act and perform as an arm of the NRM Party or an extension of President Museveni’s office?
It is almost unbelievable that our most enlightened professionals at the New Vision do not seem to appreciate the simple truth that the Electoral Commission is required by the constitution of Uganda to act and be seen to act as an independent, unbiased, and non-partisan organ. This means that the way the EC is constituted and established must mirror this independence and non-partisan character.
At the moment, what is in place is clearly a pro-Museveni/pro-NRM Electoral commission. This is overtly illegal and unconstitutional. The appointment letter for the EC Commissioners should have had the signatures of all the stakeholders.
It will be very nice to get some form of response from New Vision on the matters raised above. Actually, wouldn’t it be wonderful if this letter was considered for publication in the New Vision as the issues at hand are no doubt of interest to most Ugandans who read the New Vision?
Once again, congratulations for the strength and good will you have shown in publishing the story about the resounding victory of Dr. Besigye and his team.
We hope you are not deliberately waiting to exclusively publish the story about the end-game for the Kigundu-Electoral Commission when the Constitutional Court finally rules that “the current Electoral Commission is an illegal and unconstitutional outfit that is therefore ordered to stop functioning with immediate effect”.
As professional media practitioners, Ugandans expect you to be at the heart of discussions and debates on crucial national matters at all times – not just when these matters go to the nation’s highest courts. I salute you! END. If it’s Monday, it’s Uganda Correspondent. Never miss out again!
Dr. Vincent Magombe is a Ugandan news analyst and broadcaster based in the UK.
