The parliament of Uganda, in a move that has been criticised by the Opposition and Civil Society organisations, has passed a bill that has so far been described as autocratic, an affront to democratic principles and the catalyst that is beginning the big slide back into the dark days of dictatorship.
The man in the news yet again for not so noble reasons is the not so Honourable Jacob Oulanyah, the Deputy Speaker of the house. He is (dis)credited for a couple of other controversial rulings in the past regarding the passing of unpopular laws.
The Public Order Management Bill seems to be in direct contravention of Article 29 of the constitution which provides for the freedom of assembly and to demonstrate together with others, peacefully and unarmed.
This reminds any student of Uganda's history of the Detention without Trial Act which later caught up with one of its Chief architects-- Grace Ibingira. There is popular belief that history is going to repeat itself and this law is going to eventually haunt its architects and aye-sayers who have since been dubbed voting machines who troop to parliament in large numbers to vote on issues they know nothing about as long as it pleases the powers that be.
Grieve for the Pearl.
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