I am an ardent reader of the Bible but not as pious as some of my friends that preach on the streets of Kampala.
One of the most famous stories in the Bible for any believer is the resurrection. When Jesus had risen, two men were walking on the road to Emmaus when they were Suddenly joined by Jesus but failed to recognize him.
He asked them what their conversation was about. One of them named Cleopas amused that this ‘Jesus’ was uninformed of the viral News of the resurrected Jesus and asked in awe: “Are you the only one visiting Jelusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
Let me pose this same question to my brother Gawaya Tegulle who seems not to keep keen eye on the events happening.
Gawaya Tegulle’s loss of his most treasured job at UBC must never have left him the same but let us leave this for another day. By Human nature, losing is not a feeling that we put up with easily, especially when you perceive yourself as the best but the electorate choose another person over you.
In 2016, Gawaya Tegulle on the FDC ticket lost badly with a struggling figure of 3500 Votes to Robert Kasolo of NRM who garnered a whooping 14,000 plus votes. This is still a fresh wound that Mr Gawaya is nursing but seems to get worse every time there is an election in the country. Otherwise, what would cause such a talented scribe and a lawyer as such to lose focus on the unfolding events in the country and drown himself to writing sentimental opinions?
I am a pious reader of Tegulle’s writings and I find him rather captivating especially for people who do not follow with attention and logic, the events as they unfold. I am beginning to get disappointed with the approach of his articles. He seems to have lost way only to slide into obsession with the President, the first lady and the NRM government.
On 22 August 2021, Sunday Monitor, Mr Gawaya’s article was published titled “From Saul to Paul: Did Museveni meet Jesus on the Way to Damascus?” He insinuated that for the first time the President Museveni blamed the security forces for barking and beating opponents. In his sentimental and satirical expression, Gawaya wrote “It probably rained snow and snow balls in hell that night because for the first time ever, the President was not blaming the opposition.”
While it is not true that the opposition is entirely clean, it is also not true that the Security forces do not face the strict hand of the Law. The facts are on record and for an intelligent veteran journalist to ignore them, reminds me of the Bible parable. Mr. Tegulle Sir, How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?
You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Allow me take off the spit in your eyes and bring to your attention some of the many times security organizations have had their members convicted for using excess power and disrespecting human rights. In 2017, Military Court in Sembabule sentenced a police officer by the names of Conan Nkamuhabwa to death an equivalent of 90 years in jail, for killing a civilian. (I did not see any activist suggest that a sentence to death was extreme). His co accused soldiers Cpl. Johnson Abasa and Pte Abel Katsigazi were each sentenced to 15 Years and 40 years respectively. And for your reference, this was published in Sunday Monitor on 23rd July 2017.
This is an allusion from an out dated scenario, right? 2017 is far gone. How about the 24 Police officers that were sucked on Friday 23rd April 2021 for committing crimes against civilians. As expected the editors at Monitor publications don’t miss on such hot news. Read daily Monitor of 26th April 2021.
As a respected Journalist and Lawyer that was admitted to the bar as an advocate to the High Court of Uganda, I would expect Tegulle to have read some of these cases but to my disappointment. He chooses to hoodwink us the innocent readers to a style of fanatics. With due respect, if it is about gaining followership, I am going to be one of the readers to un-follow the man who has named himself “Objection” because not every subject needs objection but every story needs one to be objective.
The Litany of cases where security officers and agencies have been in spot light and are punished is too long. The other day Buganda road Court convicted former Division Police commander of Old Kampala Joram Mwesigye for assaulting a journalist. I mean, mistakes happen and opposition government personalities are not immune to mistakes.
What is expected from opinion leaders like Tegulle is to help the readers understand the dynamics of modern day politics and development instead of jumping onto issues without specially pointing out specific solutions.
This is long overdue. I understand the pain he must be going through not having good tips to write about.
