There have been numerous opinions from so-called ‘intellectuals’ reproving both Uganda and Kenya over the successful cooperation in arresting alleged al-Shabaab terrorists who killed 76 people during the twin bombings in Kampala on July 11.The outcry emanating largely from Kenya (especially after the Kenyan government decided to hand over the suspects who planned and coordinated the attack) is condemning the government of President Mwai Kibaki. One would think the government of Uganda does not have a legal framework to fairly try these suspects.
Mr Nick Young’s condescending epistle, ‘Uganda’s July bombing fall-out exposes flaws in war on terror’ (Daily Monitor October 5) confirms terrorism is no longer an agenda by Muslim extremists in some rogue states in the East, but has a growing number of apologists, like Mr Young.
Mr Young starts off by informing his readers that it was illogical for Uganda to send her troops to Somalia to keep peace because ‘there is no peace to keep in Somalia.’ True, there has not been peace in Somalia for over 20 years but that is the very reason why the African Union felt it right to support a transitional government in Somalia.
For over 20 years, there has never been an effective government which made this once glorious nation turn into a hub for terrorist organisations and religious extremists. These groups were to later subject its citizenry to the worst forms of human rights abuse. Rape, looting and piracy on the Indian Ocean was becoming the norm. Nations like the United States, the European Union, Uganda and Burundi offered to salvage. The US and the EU are offering logistical support while Uganda and Burundi are offering manpower in the form of peacekeepers.
Mr Young portrays President Museveni as an opportunist who is trying to reposition Uganda as a responsible member of the international community so as to deflect criticism of the UPDF conduct in the DR Congo as highlighted by the new UN report.
Probably, Mr Young should be aware that this is not President Museveni’s first or even second effort to liberate fellow African brothers who had been subjected to servitude and were neglected by the rest of the world. When the rest of the world had condemned Rwandan Tutsis into eternal refugee life, President Museveni intervened and helped them regain their motherland.
Similarly, when the rest of the world had ignored the southern Sudanese blacks, Uganda was there to support the late Gen. John Garang in liberating his people. As southern Sudan moves towards full autonomy, Uganda’s name will forever remain etched in their history books, as a nation that went an extra mile make them realize freedom.
To say that Uganda is seeking to reposition herself among the responsible member states of the international community is missing the point altogether. The world is so interconnected, any failure on one part of the world will inevitably affect the rest of the world.
We have examples where nations pooled resources to assist other states; for instance, Nato within the code of the United Nations ended the Bosnian conflict of 1992-1995, and Nigeria moved troops into Liberia and stabilised it and now Liberia is a country on the move to full recovery. Monitor
Mr Katureebe works with the Uganda Media Centre
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