Opposition backs Judge Ogoola on tear gas remarks, NRM disagrees
SOURCE: THE DAILY MONITOR 2012, 11 OCTOBER 2012
Opposition politicians yesterday said retired Principal Judge James Ogoola was spot on when he branded Museveni’s regime to be the “rule of tear gas rather than the rule of law”.
The ruling party, however, disagreed, maintaining that the government under Mr Museveni respects the rule of law. On the eve of 50th independence anniversary celebrations, Justice Ogoola, who is the chairperson Judicial Service Commission, gave a lecture about the rule of law in Uganda over the past 50 years, in which he described various abuses by the state.
Speaking to this paper yesterday, Kampala City Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago said the retired judge was “spot on”.
Speaking to this paper yesterday, Kampala City Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago said the retired judge was “spot on”.
‘Rule of tear gas’
“I believe that he was spot on in the way he described this regime, it was a fair comment,” said Mr Lukwago adding: “his observation should be taken seriously considering what is going on in the country.”
“Any simple protest is met with tear gas. The President should take it in good faith and critically reflect on it for the future of this country. It should be food for thought to him on why he went to the bush to fight,” he added.
“I believe that he was spot on in the way he described this regime, it was a fair comment,” said Mr Lukwago adding: “his observation should be taken seriously considering what is going on in the country.”
“Any simple protest is met with tear gas. The President should take it in good faith and critically reflect on it for the future of this country. It should be food for thought to him on why he went to the bush to fight,” he added.
Mr Lukwago also expressed concern for Mr Ogoola, hoping that he does not find himself behind bars.
Leader of the opposition in Parliament Nathan Nandala Mafabi said: “it’s a true story that even a kid can see it”.
But NRM deputy spokesperson Ofwono Opondo, in a telephone interview yesterday, said Justice Ogoola’s comments are unfortunate since he has been presiding over the rule of law in various capacities as the Principal Judge and currently as the chairperson Judicial Service Commission.
Leader of the opposition in Parliament Nathan Nandala Mafabi said: “it’s a true story that even a kid can see it”.
But NRM deputy spokesperson Ofwono Opondo, in a telephone interview yesterday, said Justice Ogoola’s comments are unfortunate since he has been presiding over the rule of law in various capacities as the Principal Judge and currently as the chairperson Judicial Service Commission.
‘Wrong judgement’
“If we were ruled by tear gas, or the gun, how many judgements have been written by tear gas or the barrel of a gun?” Asked Mr Opondo, adding: “So how can he take one unfortunate incidence in the NRM’s 26-year reign to brand it as a regime of tear gas?”
“If we were ruled by tear gas, or the gun, how many judgements have been written by tear gas or the barrel of a gun?” Asked Mr Opondo, adding: “So how can he take one unfortunate incidence in the NRM’s 26-year reign to brand it as a regime of tear gas?”
“If that is what he said, then he is not a serious analyst and hope you did not pick that one line in his presentation and you capitalised and twisted it round.”
Earlier, the government spokesperson, Ms Mary Karooro Okurut, said: “those are security matters and I cannot decide whether they should use tear gas or not.”
Earlier, the government spokesperson, Ms Mary Karooro Okurut, said: “those are security matters and I cannot decide whether they should use tear gas or not.”
In his poetic presentation at the function organised by Uganda Law Society on Monday, Justice Ogoola pointed at the excessive use of force by the police while breaking up opposition demonstrations as part of evidence that this government is infringing on the rights of the citizens.
He also pointed at the infamous double invasion of the High Court premises in December 2005 and 2007 by the elite agents of the army, ‘Black Mambas’.
This invasion was largely referred to by the very judge as the ‘Rape of the Temple of Justice’.
This invasion was largely referred to by the very judge as the ‘Rape of the Temple of Justice’.
Still in his presentation, Justice Ogoola faulted the decision by the 2001 Supreme Court when it ruled that there were electoral irregularities but not sufficient enough to overturn Museveni’s victory.
He said this ruling raised many professional and political eyebrows generating as it did, critical doubts about the resolve and commitment to the rule of law in the country.
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