The Ugandan government has responded to the statement issued by the United States’s embassy on the cancellation of a music concert of musician turned politician Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi wine that was slated for Easter Monday.
The US embassy in Uganda on Tuesday 23rd April 2019 issued a one statement on their website criticizing the Ugandan government for denying citizens freedom of expression.
“Today we join the many Ugandans asking why their government has recently blocked musical concerts and radio talk shows, disrupted peaceful demonstrations and rallies, and deployed heavy-handed security forces against peaceful citizens.”
The statement adds that Uganda’s constitution guarantees freedom of assembly and expression.
The statement came a day after police canceled Bobi wine’s concert due to his inability to cooperate with the security agencies in providing security to the revelers.
The Uganda government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo issued a counter statement highlighting how Uganda respects the rule of law. “Indeed government of Uganda respects rule of law and constitutionalism which guarantees freedom of assembly expression and movement. And expects all leaders to abide by these standards and cooperate with law enforcement officers in the conduct of their activities.”
Opondo added that artists and Politicians who follow the law enjoy freely access to media platforms. “All artistes in Uganda enjoy freedom of performance and the media platforms are as free. Equally all politicians enjoy free access to these media platforms”.
This follows earlier communication from House Speaker Jacob Oulanya who said that Members of Parliament who commit crimes outside the boundaries of Parliament do so in their personal capacity and that parliament shall not be dragged in the private affairs of individual parliamentarians.
Critics say the USA has created instability in many countries in the guise of advocating for democracy and freedom citing Libya and Iraq as examples.
