Olandason Wanyama & Williams Moi
26 November 2007
Kampala — The Queen of Britain should apologise for the evils the British inflicted on Ugandans during the colonial era, the chairman of Africa Leadership Institute, a think tank in Kampala, has said.
Mr David Pulkol was speaking at a public dialogue organised by Minority Rights Group International at Centenary Park in Kampala last week.
The Commonwealth People's Space was hosted at the nearby Hotel African parking lot.
He said Queen Elizabeth II, who was in Kampala last week, for a state visit and also to open the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, should apologise on behalf of the British for overseeing slave trade which left a devastating effect on Africans.
"If she does not apologise to the Africans then she would suffer severe punishment from the creator," Mr Pulkol said.
He also asked Commonwealth leaders to address the plight of the marginalised tribes in Uganda such as the Basongora of Kasese District, the Ikke in Karamoja, Panyafindi, Bankundi, Banyera in Nakasongola and the Benet of Mbale District.
Mr Pulkol, a former junior minister of education and spy chief in the current government said despite the rhetoric on development and alleviation of poverty, the government had not done much for the marginalised groups.
He claimed the government, used over Shs233 billion for Chogm preparations but what is on the ground doesn't justify the expenditure.
"I think Chogm should address the needs of the disadvantaged countries and their marginalised peoples whenever it convenes," Mr Pulkol said. Without citing specific examples, he accused the government of grabbing land purportedly to transform it into protected areas.
"I am telling you the worst marginalisation is on the way coming," he said.
Mr Pulkol, a former opposition activist, joins Bunyoro Kingdom who have taken the British government to court over alleged plunder and murder in their area during colonialism.
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