3 October 2009
Kampala — RECENT comments about strained relations between Uganda and Libya were dismissed when the presidents of the two countries agreed on the place of traditional rulers at the last United Nations General Assembly in New York.
But the talk has persisted, not helped by the fact that 60 Members of Parliament had a planned trip to Libya cancelled.
It was said that the Government is apprehensive about Libya making inroads with different centres of power in Uganda.
Libyan leader Muammar Gadaffi enjoys friendly links with traditional kingdoms in Uganda, and the Muslim fraternity also gratefully received a grand mosque from him. But the Libyan ambassador to Uganda has declared that reports that Gadaffi is against Museveni are false.
A lot of tension built up to the meeting between the President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, and the Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Mutebi, thanks to the impasse between their two governments that led to recent riots in central region. The two leaders shrugged off two years of strained relations and met behind closed doors at State House Entebbe. They both said the discussions were fruitful and exchanged files containing issues for future dialogue.
Development partners have made it clear that their governments expect Uganda to respect democracy and freedom of expression especially in the run up to the next elections. Under the name of Democracy and Good Governance Group, ambassadors and heads of missions from donor governments stated that a level playing field for all candidates is essential.
MPs have disagreed over the Government's handling of the crisis with Buganda. Eighteen MPs from Buganda have said they will call for mass demonstrations if Government does not release all the suspects arrested in relation to last month's riots.
Among those who were arrested is Kampala Central MP, Elias Lukwago and Buganda Kingdom spokesman, Medard Lubega Ssegona. Calling the Government's actions unjust and an abuse of the Constitution, the MPs also demanded that Government reopens the Luganda radio stations which were closed for allegedly inciting violence.
The sale and consumption of waragi in sachets around the taxi parks and stages has been banned. The vice chairman of the Uganda Taxi Operators and Drivers' Association warned that anyone caught breaking this directive will be suspended from duty. The drink has been blamed for blurring the vision and judgment of drivers, leading to road accidents.Meanwhile seven more people were reportedly killed as a result of imbibing a toxic version of waragi, this time on Ssese Islands.
The fake guards who usually take bribes from motorists who used to use the Northern Bypass had to roll away their spiked barriers and forget their illicit jobs.
The fabled road, delayed by over three years, was finally opened to traffic last week. It is hoped that it will ease congestion as vehicles can circumvent the city to connect to suburbs on the route. However, some basic road features like lights, reflectors and signs were not yet installed.
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