Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny Dollo has “unequivocally and unreservedly” apologized to the Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi, over his lash out that the ethnic leader was airlifted to Germany to receive treatment in a presidential jet.
The Chief Justice made these remarks at the fallen speaker, Jacob Oulanyah’s vigil. Dollo rebuked what he referred to as “lumpens” and wicked “Baganda elements” who demonstrated over Oulanyah’s travel abroad for specialized treatment.
“But your ethnic leader, you, you, you who were demonstrating, your ethnic leader was transported in a presidential jet to Germany using public funds. He was not entitled. You did not demonstrate…only a wicked person can fight a person who is fighting for his life, only a super wicked person can fight the dead. For us, it is an abomination which has no name,” he remarked.
In the chief Justice’s apology, he noted that his remarks at the vigil came from a place of grief for a departed brother.
“Last week, during the vigil held at the home of the fallen Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Jacob Oulanyah, I made a speech that was laden with unbearable grief and pain for the demise of our departed brother.”
He said that as much as his grief and pain drove him to castigate the unthinkable callous people that did not want Oulanyah to get treatment, he admitted to having made a wrong and inappropriate reference to the Kabaka of Buganda.
“However, in the course of this emotional expression, I made a wrong and inappropriate reference to His Majesty, the Kabaka of Buganda. I hereby unequivocally, unreservedly, and of my free volition, wholly retract that reference, and also hereby, tender my apology to His Majesty, the Kabaka. I will immediately hereby communicate to the Katikiro of Buganda in writing, registering this apology,” he noted.
However, the Chief Justice still observes that he has no kind sentiments toward those that protested Oulanyah’s treatment.
“Otherwise, I stand firm in my castigation of those who mercilessly tormented Jacob Oulanyah at the time he needed compassion the most, and, who continue to inexplicably dance on his grave. I reiterate that this contravenes our much-cherished African culture, and it must be condemned by all people of goodwill,” he added.
The Chief Justice further thanked the Katikiro for his maturity.
“I reiterate my appeal to the people of Buganda to learn from our experience. In this regard, I do profusely hail Katikiro Charles Peter Mayiga for his press release which has demonstrated maturity, magnanimity, soberness, and a conciliatory tone. That reflects and displays the true nature of the Buganda I have always proudly associated myself with,” he added.
There has been tension between the people of Buganda and high-ranking Government officers from the upper echelons of the Acholi sub-region following the Chief Justice’s speech at the fallen Speaker’s vigil and it is in the event of these communications that tensions are being thawed out.