By Phionah Kesaasi
Thursday, July 15, 2010
IT is now two days since the tragic events rocked our city. The bombings of the Ethiopian Village Restaurant and the Kyadondo Rugby Club have shocked not only Africa, as a continent, but the world.
As we endeavour to come to terms with these traumatic criminal occurrences, it is saddening that the evil face of opportunism at any cost is once again rearing its head. Opposition groups have come out to criticise the Government for the UPDF’s deployment to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), and blamed the Government for the deaths of so many Ugandans.
But the Government did not bomb the Kyadondo Rugby Club or Ethiopian Village. A callous lot with no regard for human life, was behind these atrocities.
For any Ugandan to justify these criminal attacks, is not only disingenuous, but shows a hypocritical disposition that endeavours to gain capital while professing sympathy for the bereaved.
It also displays a narrow and limited understanding of regional geopolitical issues. The increased proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW), that have continued to destabilise the Great Lakes region, can be traced to the conflict in Somalia.
Indeed, the International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA) states that, “sources suggest that the missiles fired at an Israeli plane and the bomb planted in a hotel in Mombasa in late 2002 came from Somalia, as did the bombs that killed more than 200 people in the US embassies in Nairobi and Tanzania in 1998.” Sadly, we now add the 74 people that died in Kampala to this narrative.
What is the responsibility of governments within the region?
Our primary responsibility, as neighbours and Africans, is to ensure that stability returns to Somalia and responsible governance is encouraged. Understand that this is not solely for altruistic reasons. There is self-interest behind this action.
As clearly shown by the incidents in Kampala, if Somalia is not stable, the region faces the dangers of mindless terrorist attacks and small arms procured via Somalia shall continue to foster both political and criminal violence.
In light of this, the Government’s decision to help a failed Somalia stand on its feet should be applauded. AMISOM presence in Somalia means safety in the Great Lakes region and Africa.
It is, therefore, the responsibility of every member of the African Union to take part in this noble cause. That Uganda has taken the lead in this effort should be a source of pride, not anguish and hand-wringing.
The opposition would also do well to note that terrorists are not to be defeated by us running and hiding whenever they commit grievous atrocities.
It took a concerted effort from America and her allies to defeat Hitler. Closer to home, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere committed his country’s resources and manpower to help Ugandans get rid of Idi Amin.
It will also take a concerted effort for Africa to defeat the likes of al-Shabaab.
Ugandans must, therefore, rally behind the Government in its pursuit of these merchants of terror, as well as in its efforts to help Somalia.
I stand with the aggrieved and our Government in the knowledge that terrorism is indiscriminate and knows no tribe, religion, political ideology or nationality, and as such cannot be defended as a legitimate expression of dissent.
The writer is a public affairs assistant at the Uganda Media Centre