The apology of Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo to the Kabaka of Buganda Kingdom has sparked mixed reactions among Ugandans on Social Media.
On Wednesday while at the home of the late Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah in Muyenga, the Chief Justice alleged that some people belonging to one ethnic group (Buganda) demonstrated when Oulanyah was flown to Seattle, the USA using taxpayers’ money yet they didn’t say a word when their ethnic leader (Kabaka Ronald Mutebi) was flown to Germany using a presidential jet.
In a video that made rounds on social media, Owiny Dollo condemned the demonstrations and said that it’s only a wicked person that fights a person fighting for his life.
“Some people demonstrated in Seattle telling a man struggling for his life to go back home (Uganda), Why didn’t they demonstrate when their Ethnic leader was flown to Germany using a presidential jet? “wondered Owiny Dollo.
However, his statement caused a lot of public debate, with some people questioning the integrity of the country’s CJ who stood firm and falsely accused Kabaka of using the presidential jet without any solid evidence.
Other members of the public asked him to resign because he was not worthy to hold that position as a judge heading the Supreme court bench. Following the pressure from the public, on Monday Chief Justice Owiny Dollo penned down an apology letter to the King of Buganda.
“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.
This grief and pain [were] exacerbated by those who had exhibited unthinkable callousness while the Speaker was fighting for his life; and, have continued to do so even as he lies dead. I castigated the perpetrators of these evil deeds in no uncertain language.
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 hereafter communicate to the Katikkiro of Buganda in writing, registering this apology…” reads part of the letter.
Nevertheless, although he made his apology, Ugandans on Social Media seem to have lost their trust in him following his uncensored utterances that were tribalistic in nature.
Here are some of their reactions;
Stella Nyanzi; He showed us the insides of his heart. His apology does not remove what we saw when we looked inside his hate-filled malicious heart full of worms and deceit!
Kakwenza Rukirabashaija; A flibbertigibbet whose balderdash causes tribal tension must resign from his position of power. Your apology is useless if you don’t resign. Over.
Nijad Aljandro Saadic; Nobody is perfect, but Owiny’s remarks on the tribal divide and Buganda, fully displayed his soul and long-standing tribal hatred against fellow Ugandans in Buganda, well and good, if true, his pen and verbal apology would be better if followed with full resignation from the office of Chief Justice if he truly means his apology.
Johnny Allan Carey; An apology isn’t enough it’s indeed shameful to the whole of the judiciary. He doesn’t deserve to be in the position of Chief justice. Therefore, he should resign.
Nicky Simon; He was supposed to tender his resignation, not an apology.
Millet Mutegi; The chief justice has no code of conduct in public he is not fit for the job and position he holds. It’s such a shame and embarrassing he should resign.
Asiimwe Baker; That is what is expected from him but he didn’t deserve that position because is an NRM cadre. If a chief Justice can say that based on hearsay then how will he handle contentious issues?
Nkbs Paul; Apology is human and a form of civility therefore if it’s truthful and remorseful in my opinion the chief justice needs consideration. Let’s take his apology in good faith and urge him to reduce his anger toward the Buganda kingdom.
Oma Izo; I tender in my apology!!!!! Why not resign? Mr Do the honourable thing and resign then we will know the gravity of your apology. Be the first Ugandan to do that.
Emmanuel Mabirizi; I have never met him, do not know him but feel bitter, the right thing would have been for him to resign.
Walugembe Fred; It seems all his judgments he has done in all his life have been false coz he lacks content of good research, so if possible, all people he condemned must seek and pursue fresh judgments.
Nathan Namutale; Dollo expressed who truly he is. He left everyone wondering whether he’s still fit to be in that office!
Charli Kes Brown; If it happened in a country with values he should have resigned but being a banana republic life continues however much this is done by a judge it’s totally unacceptable.
Emma Banabe; But for God’s sake how enough is this apology? He wronged a traditional leader representing over 10 million people, he went ahead and bitterly attacked a community with false presumptions. Without crosschecking such a simple fact, in his capacity as the Chief Justice of a sovereign nation uses FALSEHOOD to malign a tribe with its leader! Resignation would be the ideal thing to do
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