Museveni vows to crash opposition protests
By Idris Birimumaaso
As the president delivered his state of the nation address on Tuesday, he did not fall short of attacking the opposition. In reference to the walk-to-work and hooting protests against the rising cost of living, President Museveni cited Article 43 (1) of the Constitution which says in the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms prescribed “… no person shall prejudice the fundamental or other human rights and freedoms of others or the public interest...”
He stopped short of citing the subsequent subsections of the same Article which places a limitation upon envisaged limitations on the absolute enjoyment of fundamental rights and freedoms where it declares that any restriction must be demonstrably justifiable in a free and democratic society.
President Museveni also quoted Article 3 (1 and 4) of the Constitution – reminding the opposition that “it is prohibited for any person or group of persons to take or retain control of the Government of Uganda, except in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.”
Amidst loud objections by the opposition, before they walked out, the President had said: “I would like to advise those engaged in riots to stop. The ulterior motives behind those riots are well known. All those groups we know what they are doing and what they are planning. The youth they invite (for riots) work for government. Those people will be handled firmly and decisively.”
Despite these pointed declarations by the President, the opposition members yesterday vowed to continue with their protests against the rising cost of living until the government intervenes.
As he concluded his two- and-half hour speech, Museveni who received a standing ovation from the NRM MPs said: “Every Ugandan should always be cautious of the fact that nobody owes them a living.”
Posted by Basudde Ivan Travis
on 8:13 AM.
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