The Chief Justice of Uganda Owiny-Dollo has branded a section of Baganda as “super-wicked” for rejoicing the death of Speaker of Parliament Rt Hon Jacob Oulanyah.
His comments have since drawn ire from the Baganda ethnicity.
The Chief Justice while eulogizing his fallen comrade at his Muyenga residence open a can of worms about the demonstrations which took place in the United States in February this year after Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah was flown to a hospital in Washington State for treatment.
The demonstrations were reportedly organized by supporters of the opposition National Unity Platform, (NUP), whose leadership however, has insisted that the protests were against the poor health services in Uganda and not against Oulanyah.
Justice Owiny-Dollo blamed the demonstrations on people from Buganda.
He wondered why the same people didn’t protest when the Kabaka of Buganda Ronald Muwenda Mutebi was flown to Germany for treatment following a severe allergic reaction in August last year.
“But you, who were demonstrating… your ethnic leader was transported in a presidential jet to Germany using private funds he was not entitled. You did not demonstrate,” he said.
Dollo’s remarks quickly sparked reactions on social media with several commentators accusing him of playing into the already spiralling tribal debate that appears to pit the Acholi against other tribes in the country.
“Shameful that the Chief Justice of Uganda and (Norbert Mao) have turned diaspora protests over medical tourism by government officials into a tribal war,” remarked one Daniel Kawuma, a human rights activist.
“They are pouring gasoline on this incident for their political benefit using the death of the speaker to ignite tribal tension”
“One would expect the Chief Justice to do his homework before making such a statement. They say “as sober as a judge,” added one Jamil Mujuzi.
“Embarrassing for the Chief Justice to engage in tribalistic talk like he did last night. Is he 100% certain all those demonstrating in Seattle were Baganda? This tone was set by Mao for several weeks & now sadly the Speaker’s death is being used to fan possibly true inner feelings” went one Jonah Byakutaga.
The Chief Justice also received support from other commentators.
“Chief Justice of Uganda, Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo, couldn’t have said it any better,” tweeted one by user name “The Bandit.”
“Only a wicked person fights a person, fighting for his life!”
