Ruhemb’ogwenjura Parody

I really don’t mind you taking pot shots at me. I understand why you do it. You live in a world of angels and demons. You are the angels and the rest of us are the demons. But let me say this: You’re entitled to your opinions but you’re not entitled to your facts. Sometimes it is better to ask questions rather than assert falsehoods. There are three issues: the trial, the health of the accused persons and the intention of the government to continue engaging in broader dialogue and reconciliation. The trial and health of the accused persons are related because the trial cannot continue if the accused person cannot stand trial due to ill health. The doctors have given their report and advice to the court and on that basis the trial was halted. All accused persons are entitled to a fair trial and there can be no fair trial if an accused person is too ill to stand trial. Even if the trial went ahead and a conviction secured, the fact that the accused was too ill to stand trial would be a ground of appeal. The accused would argue that his right to a fair trial was violated. There are many precedents to that effect. Concerning this powerless Minister of Justice I can only share the obvious: The Minister of Justice doesn’t tell the courts what to do. At most he can advise the Prosecution not to oppose bail for an accused person for well stated reasons. The final decision would still lie with the DPP. Finally let’s acknowledge with gratitude the efforts by the doctors whose timely intervention on the instructions of the President has enabled Dr Besigye to get the best possible medical attention Uganda can offer. The doctors have however advised that to speed up his recovery he needs more specialized treatment which we cannot provide in Uganda.