Is it a crime to walk to work? Three Ugandan opposition leaders were arrested Monday morning and charged with inciting violence and ignoring orders. The Dutch ambassador has criticised the excessive use of force by Ugandan authorities to prevent the walk-to-work protests.
Kizza Besigye, Olara Otunnu and Norbert Mao were arrested together with other opposition leaders and supporters. The three were walking to work in protest against the high food and fuel prices. Besigye had reportedly walked 200 meters from his home when he was arrested and taken to Kasangati police station.
Saving fuel
Besigye announced the walk-to-work protests last week, to be held twice a week, in response to the rocketing fuel and food prices. Last week, he was detained over the protests, but was released soon afterwards. This time, he remains in custody. Haggai Matsiko, a Ugandan journalist for the The Independent, a partner website of Radio Netherlands Worldwide, said Besigye had not applied for bail because he believes he has not committed a crime.
Despite the arrests, the situation remains calm in Kampala’s streets, says Matsiko. “The opposition leaders were arrested before supporters could join their walk. Last week, they were surrounded by scores of people at the time of the arrests, which made things more chaotic.”
‘Valid reason to protest’
The Dutch ambassador to Uganda has criticised the way the police and army responded to the protests. “The police used excessive violence to break up the walk to work protests. And when they couldn’t handle it anymore, they called in the army.” Gunshots were heard and tear gas was fired during last week’s clashes between the police and demonstrators.
Ambassador Jeroen Verheul believes the Ugandans have a valid reason to protest. “The inflation has massively increased and many people are affected by it. They have every right to discuss their hardship and find ways to bring it in the limelight. People are not happy with the economic situation and some people are not happy about the election results either. The problem is that the current government is nipping every attempt to demonstrate in the bud.”
Good for farmers
Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni warned this weekend to crush further demonstrations. He suggested Besigye to go to a park if he had the urge to stretch his legs. Museveni went on to explain that high food prices were good for farmers, and that his government could not do anything to lower the food and fuel prices. The consumer price index jumped 4.1 percent from February to March, pushing the year-on-year inflation rate to 11.1 percent.
Besigye lost to President Yoweri Museveni by 26% to 68% of the votes in February's election but claims the poll was rigged. Before the election, Besigye had called for Egypt-style uprisings in the event of fraud.
No ‘Egyptian-style uprising’
Neither of them walked to work, by the way. Ambassador Verheul: “The Dutch government has provided me with an official car, which I use gladly to cover the six kilometers from home to work.”
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As my dear departed father said,if you can't milk a cow turn it into a smoked meat.kakaj is a day dreamer with twisted common sense, the dutch ambassador is telling the truth about what is happening in Uganda. the constitutional obligation mr.kakaj is talking about gives the police and security forces the right to protect lives and property of people, killing a two years old child, torturing ugandans is not one of those task mentioned in the constitution. I can understand that you are a part of that corrupt sytem, don't burn a hand that feed you sinply because you have eaten enough for one day.
The house of wax approved sh.1.7 trillions to buy jets to protect oil, sh.2.8 billions for presidential swear-in ceremony using development supplementary budget to fund personal interest, corruption, and military equipment used in killing Ugandans. mr. kakaj don't play with our brain,your comment to wether the Netherlands gives us aid or not is the lowest thought of mind that one can imagine.
Let me remind you that the same constitutional rights allow ugandan to defend themselves using all means possible, don't push people to a point of no return, they may be forced to translate the constitution better than you and your thugs.
The Dutch Ambassador is entitled to his own opinion. But mere common sense shows that the Besigye group is after making the country ungovernable. And he has said it before,including after elections. Demonstrations world over when they become riotous, police comes in and not to persuade rioters to leave, but to forcefully make them leave. I do not know what the ambassador would do if people started throwing stones at his home or car - would he come out to offer them a handshake, or he would even call police? What the ambassador do when rioters blocked roads to his home? Would he cheer them on?
Police and security forces have a constitutional obligation to protect the lives and property of people. They have a duty to detect crime, and take necessary measures to stop its commission.
Rights are enjoyable subject to the fact that they do not infringe on other people's rights. Those that do not want to riot/protest have a right to go on their business unhindered by rioters.
And Mr Ambassador, these issues above are plain common sense - whether your country gives us aid or not.
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