IMPUNITY
In
recent weeks, a special group of so-called powerful people have emerged in
Uganda who appear intoxicated with power that they no longer fear God. A regime
where its leaders do not fear God is surely a scary one because the
Constitution which should constrain them is far below God!
"Impunity" implies unequal treatment
of certain individuals in society, who become exempted from punishment, and/or
free of the injurious consequences of their actions.
Recently,
we saw Deputy Attorney General, Rukutana, in broad day light, running his mouth
against the authority of the Chairperson of the Lands Commission. Rukutana even
dared God in his verbal utterances. Few days later, we saw the chilling video
of Gen Matayo Kyaligonza, nearly strangling a female traffic police officer on
duty. Not long from these events, Gen Kasirye Gwanga shot a car tire belonging
to a celebrity aligned to Museveni.
We
have Police officers, who, out of over zealousness while on duty, have
tortured, maimed, killed, humiliated and abused their power and code of
conduct. The video of armed men in civilian clothes clobbering a DP/People
power activist on the streets of Kampala, and recently in Jinja remains fresh
in our minds. The impunity arises from the fact that the culprits, far from
facing punishment, are treated as heroes and recycled within ranks. These culprits
have overtime, obtained a power status far beyond that of law enforcement and even
of God! They are the judge, the jury and the executioner.
Just
think about how many horrendous things happen to Ugandans. Have you ever imagined
who are held accountable for these atrocities? Who are behind these acts of
torture, killing, land grabs, demolishing buildings, vicious attacks on our domestic
and game animals, rape of our women and sacrificing our children, neglect of hospitals,
corruption, et cetra?
Impunity
of this magnitude is usually the mid-section signal of failing regimes. The
pervasive impunity also exists within every department and branch of government,
such as Parliament.
Take
for instance, the recently released COSASE report and the hype about the
committee’s irreplaceable “star” performers! COSASE report became an everyday
heartbreaking outcome of Parliament, itself an incubator of impunity.
During
the COSASE probe of Bank of Uganda officials to establish circumstances of
closures (liquidation) of several commercial banks spanning over two decades,
few patterns emerged.
The
first clear one was that certain privileged individuals, acting as power
brokers with the state, conspired to rob these banks of major assets and
shares. Second, traces of hidden hands – politics and informal practices –
flaunted banking rules as major decisions were made in bars and bedrooms
instead of the boardroom. Third, key managers within Bank of Uganda colluded
with third parties to subvert laws and due processes, including compromising
evidence during the probe.
COSASE
seemed blinded to these criminalities to recommend punitive and cost-recovery
actions against these individuals. By ignoring these culprits, Parliament as
government, has created an environment for impunity to fetter.
The
COSASE report itself is a revelation of impunity, and the Committee as a institutional
legitimating mechanism of impunity!
That
dastardly report affirms that whatever happens within this regime is designed to
reinforce our collective sense of powerlessness - as a subdued people.
Parliament thus, situated itself as a legitimizing institution of hegemonic impunity.
The
COSASE authors dishonored themselves with their insensitivity to the fate of people
who lost their livelihoods through the impunity of commercial bank closures.
Those whose fortunes grew from the rot in the banking sector, will uphold Hon.
Kantuntu-led COSASE as their gods!
On
their part, COSASE can defend their report as bounded by term of reference.
Damn
right! For all that the taxpayers spend financing Probe Committees and
Commission of inquiries, so little concrete outcomes materialize.
So,
who gives a damn if not Parliament? We couldn’t report these fellows even to
God. Some may strangle or shoot God. Right?
Mr.
Komakech is a Ugandan Social Critic. Can contact via mordust_26@yahoo.ca
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