While speaking at the launch of a report on human rights violations during the 2016 elections in Kampala yesterday, former member of the Pan-African Parliament from Uganda Miria Rukoza Koburunga Matembe accused the NRM government of continuous violation of human rights, especially against the opposition.
She said that her commitment to audibly speak out against injustice in the country got her “sacked out of cabinet. ”
Her statements were direct to the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Electoral Commission Chairman Dr Tanga Odoi, who she said used to make reasonable statements only until he was called to head the NRM Electoral Commission.
“Tanga Odoi joined those who are ‘eating’. He used to make reasonable statements but ever since he was called to head the NRM Electoral Commission he is now only concerned about his paycheck. Am not like that, I always speak out against injustice. I spoke out against injustice and got sacked out of cabinet. Am not calling for people to go and fight away from the bush. We are fighting from here [city], defy and resist harassment and intimidation from here…Even when they arrest you and take you to Luzira [prison] rise up”, she said.
“We have been subdued to become complacent, to become nothing when things are not going well. And I tell people…no! Lets us resist. Didn’t they bring the word resistance? Is resistance a monopoly of President Museveni and his people only? Resistance is a word, which we can all use,”
Matembe said that everybody should resist all intimidation and harassment, “all this subduing of us and denying of our rights. What is wrong with that? This Dr Tanga Odoi because he is ‘eating’ in the NRM camp, now he wants to talk like that so that they increase his salary, hopeless!”
The two had a bitter clash however, Mr Tanga in response urged that the opposition should stop inciting the public. He said that the government has the duty to protect the rights of those affected by the protests.
In an eight-month study of the human rights situation during the 2016 election period, the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI) launched a report titled, “Human Rights and Elections in Uganda; A call for Action,”
cnakalungi@ugchristianews.com
