1)
"The Minister of State for Economic Monitoring, Mr Omwony Ojwok, told MPs on Tuesday that declaring northern Uganda a disaster area would have dire implications."
2)
"If we do that, we shall block funding from the international community," he said.
*********
"Several MPs on Tuesday broke down in tears during the debate on Saturday's massacre in Barlonyo camp in Lira."
"They wept during the plenary session as Mbabazi tried to explain away the massacre."
***************
Peace-loving Citizens,
How can this man call himself a Minister - a people's representative, or even a human being when people have been maimed, raped, tortured, and masscred for the last 18 years and the situation is escalating by each - they have been living in appalling situation - in the open day and night for 18 years, and alll this so-called minister is thinking about is money!!!
Best regards to all,
Nyar'Onyango
*****************
----- Original Message -----
From: gook makanga
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2004 10:06 PM
Subject: Parliament declares north disaster area
Parliament declares north disaster area
By Emma Mutaizibwa & Mercy Nalugo
Feb 26, 2004
KAMPALA - Parliament yesterday carried a motion declaring northern Uganda a disaster area.
Mwenge South MP Dora Byamukama tabled the motion, which was fought unsuccessfully by the executive on Tuesday.
Ms Byamukama reasoned that if the north is declared a disaster area, the international community would easily intervene and help end the long-running insurgency.
She said the north would also be guaranteed security and relief aid from the international community.
The MP also proposed that government appoints a day of international mourning for the 200 people massacred recently in Barlonyo camp in Lira by rebels of the Lord's Resistance Army.
The government says 84 people died.
Byamukama said that in the African culture when someone makes an alarm people run to that person's rescue.
"I don't want to make capital out of this. When they ask us [MPs] that what did we do in the wake of Kony's atrocities, what shall we say? It does not take away the sovereignty of the State if we declare a national disaster," she said.
When Speaker Edward Ssekandi put the motion to the vote, the ayes carried the day - to the chagrin of the government side.
Defence Minister Amama Mbabazi told The Monitor after the vote that declaring northern Uganda a disaster area would not solve the problem.
He said the international community has failed to resolve conflicts in many areas around the world.
On Tuesday Mr Mbabazi and his Cabinet colleagues fought the motion ferociously on the floor.
The motion was so hotly contested that Mr Ssekandi postponed the debate to yesterday.
The Minister of State for Economic Monitoring, Mr Omwony Ojwok, told MPs on Tuesday that declaring northern Uganda a disaster area would have dire implications.
"If we do that, we shall block funding from the international community," he said.
Several MPs on Tuesday broke down in tears during the debate on Saturday's massacre in Barlonyo camp in Lira.
They wept during the plenary session as Mbabazi tried to explain away the massacre.
Mr Okulo Epak (Oyam South), Ms Margaret Ateng (Lira), Ms Betty Amongi (Woman Apac) could not hold back their tears as they recounted the suffering of civilians.
Mr Aggrey Awori (Samia Bugwe North) said that Mbabazi should have resigned for failure to protect citizens.
Awori said that the military option had failed. He advised the government to seek the intervention of UN forces.
Ms Salamu Musumba (Bugabula South) said the government is busy campaigning for a third term instead of trying to resolve the conflict up north.
Lands, Water and Environment minister Kahinda Otafiire told The Monitor in the Parliament lobby that what the MPs passed is only a recommendation.
He said government will have to look at it and take a position.
According to the Constitution, the President in consultation with Cabinet can declare a state of emergence if he is satisfied that such circumstances exist like natural disasters.
Gook
"The strategy of the guerilla struggle was to cause maximum chaos and destruction in order to render the government of the day very unpopular"
Lt. Gen. Kaguta Museveni (Leader of the NRA guerilla army in Luwero)
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