Censorship Is No Solution To Northern Uganda Crises

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02-09-12

Terror Vs. Freedom: Has 7/11 Bought More Time For General Museveni?

As we feared, public gatherings have been banned, and it is likely that Gen. Museveni and his lackeys in the security services will wave the security card like a preacher does the Bible, to frustrate opposition gatherings and political organizing. Full Story

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Date: September 5th, 2009
Name: Rita Nambi
Subject: who cares about what she has to say
Comment: But people who still cares about what Janet has to say, she is just wasting tax payers money for no good reason. That money should have been put to good use in Uganda. e.g feed the starving people in Karamoja or buy mattresses for the pregnant women in Mulago. As for Dr. Abe whatever the name is what happened to communication, why did you go behind Musisi's back to invite this lady, there is something they call RULES. So enough with your BS. I hope people will vote for musisi and ashame these upstarts

Date: August 27th, 2009
Name: John Mayanja
Subject: Fellow Ugandans, beware
Comment: Initially, official delegations from Uganda Government were invited to attend UNAA conventions in an effort to drum-up investment opportunities for Uganda. Today, the attendance and participation of official delegations from Uganda Government at UNAA Conventions has become almost an established rule, thereby becoming a violation of the principles under which UNAA is supposed to be run. Case in point is Dr. Abe's decision to sidestep the organization's leadership and take it upon himself to invite the First Lady

Date: August 27th, 2009
Name: Noah Bukenya
Subject: UNAA Looks Forward To Greeting The First Lady
Comment: Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone of you for whatever you do

in your capacity for UNAA. As a President of Uganda Community in Chicago and

Chairman of UNAA Chicago Convention, I am honored to hear that the First Lady, Mrs

Janet Museveni accepted the invitation to attend UNAA Convention. Although there were

some miscommunication between the organizing committee and the Forum organizers of

Northern Uganda Forum, plans are under way to receive the First Lady who's also the

State Minister for Karamoja. We expect good turn up at the convention and I look forward

to seeing you all in the Windy City.

Sorry for any inconviniences this may have caused and I hope it will not be misinterpreted on either side.

Noah Bukenya
Chairman and Host
UNAA Chicago Convention

Date: August 25th, 2009
Name: Coya Acoya
Subject: Whoops, Things Have Changed!
Comment: The question isn't what does Janet Museveni know about Northern Uganda. The question is why did you invite her when you weren't an official organizer?
You were refused UNAA letterhead and still managed to create an alternate forum. Dr. Ben Abe, we know you are seriously trying to become an ambassador, but please, don't cry censorship when you kiss the rear of every NRM official within reach.
Please don't insult us by making yourself out to be the victim here!

[Global: Op-Ed]

In recent days there have been reports and online discussions about a dispute in advance of the Ugandan North American Association (UNAA) Convention which will be held this year in Chicago, IL., from September 4 to 6.

Some people have questioned an invitation I extended to Hon. Mrs. Janet Museveni, Minister of State for Karamoja, Member of Parliament, and Uganda's First Lady.

I wish to dispel many falsehoods regarding this invitation: Mrs. Museveni has been invited in her capacity as a minister whose portfolio covers a region in crisis and turmoil; a region which has experienced devastation.

First some background.

I have been a Vice President of UNAA; I have been a Board Member; I have always been there for the organization. The Northern Forum, which comprises a panel at UNAA Conventions, to discuss the war and devastation in northern Uganda, was not always popular. It has suddenly become very popular. When it started 15 years ago, nobody wanted to have the northern issue even brought up at the UNAA Convention.

Eventually when the issue of the conflict and devastation in northern Uganda was brought up, it was supposed to be only an "interest section" at the annual gatherings, and not even considered part of the regular UNAA Convention items.

When I started inviting knowledgeable people, including Uganda government officials, who could give us definitive answers as to what they were doing in the north, then people began to wonder about what was really happening in the north. There was increased interest and the Northern Forum became popular.

This year, I followed the procedure which I have been using for years in organizing the Northern Forum--which was to invite the speakers for the panel. There had never been any objection in the past.

Now, this year for the first time, I am being told by the UNAA president, Lt. Frank Musisi, that I cannot organize the Forum when in fact it was started by northern Ugandans to highlight the devastation that has resulted from the war there.

Why? Is it because I invited Hon. Mrs. Janet Museveni as one of the speakers? She has been invited in her capacity as a minister in charge of a region that is included in the devastated areas--in the north.

The Forum suddenly has become very important to some people. So, why am I being challenged for the first time by the UNAA president alone? Most of the UNAA board does not even know that he is challenging me.

I believe there is somebody that has a personal agenda in objecting to my organizing the Forum this year. If you read the Ugandan newspapers you will see that there is a big famine in Karamoja. We want to know what is happening there. There is no part of northern Uganda that has not suffered. The Acholi sub-region has suffered more; but all of the north needs to be restored and developed.

Let us talk and come up with a compromise. At this time, there is still time to work together.

We are working for the same goal after all. Which is to bring sustainable peace and development to northern Uganda. That is why it is important to hear all voices.

Please feel free to post your comments directly or submit them to Milton@blackstarnews.com

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