By David Kamukama
A few days back print and social media have been awash with news of USA imposing sanctions on former IGP of Uganda, Gen Edward Kale Kayihura. In the same week a list of other 5 Africans who have also been indicted, tried and convicted like Gen Kale without any hearing, any form of defending themselves was released.
At the beginning, I was not interested because while Gen K and his co. Convictees were enjoying power and it’s associated privileges I was not a beneficiary, however the nature of the sentence is what provoked me. Well I don’t care whether USA prevents people going to their country besides that should not make news because they have always quietly refused them Visas without much ado! Abanyankore have a saying ngu ndigira omunju tindigira omunsi literally meaning that refusing me accommodation in your house does not deny me a right to live.
USA by executive order imposed a warrant of attachment on the Property of Gen Kale to be surrendered to to the USA treasury. Several properties/wealth of African former leaders allegedly illicitly acquired have been confiscated to benefit of Americans and European colonialists.Let’s put this in perspective. Possibly Gen K K illicitly acquired his wealth? If so to whose disadvantage?? Your guess is as good as mine, UGANDANS.
So why do Americans confiscate his wealth and that of other Africans to their treasury but not our treasury. This is continued plunder of African resources by Europeans and Americans. The wealth of Mubutu, Gaddafi, Taylor among others should be returned to the respective African countries because they were accumulated from and form part of the country’s common wealth.
Am not defending criminality and human rights abuse but am against the super-imposition of Europe and America on African affairs. Am defending Pan Africanism and strongly against Colonialism and Neo- Colonialism.
The author is a lawyer and a Panafricanist
