Politics

After being in office for less than a month, in a virtual conference with Western World leaders, President Joe Biden, excitedly declared that “Diplomacy is back”. 

International law had its beginnings with the sixteenth century Dutch jurist, Grotius. Over the centuries, it evolved slowly, outlawing slavery, piracy and the use of certain weapons in warfare. But until the Nuremberg trial of prominent Nazis at the end of the Second World War, punishment by international treaty was not incorporated into any nation’s law.

The outcome of the January 14^th, 2021 presidential election was as predictable as day follows night. President Museveni "won" again amidst accusations of state violence and election rigging.

“Attempted Coup d'état In Washington”, “Insurrection In US Capitol”, “US Capitol Riot”, “Mob Attack On US Capitol”, “Democracy Under Siege”, “Assault On US Democracy”, were some of the screaming headlines of newspapers and social media all around the world. 

It was with a heavy heart that I learned of the passing of Dr. Obyara David Anyoti last month. I first met David in the early 1980s when he was Minister of Information and Broadcasting in the Milton Obote II government of Uganda. The last time I visited him was in 2011 when I passed through Nairobi. 

Early this month the former president of France Valery Giscard D’Estaing died. The Guardian in its obituary described him as “the grand old man of French politics”. President Emanuel Macron said, “his presidency had transformed France and his direction still guides its way”. The New York Times said he was “a modern-minded conservative”.

Visiting Professor of Human Rights and Global Public Health at Bard College, the author of, “Another Fine Mess: America, Uganda, and the War on Terror (2017)”.

Mr.  President, if your advisors/ handlers were bold enough, they would have told you how much your Bushenyi speech utterly negated your campaign message “Securing Your Future.”