Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao has revealed that Gen. Salim Saleh is leading efforts to find a broader political solution to the cases of detained opposition figures Dr Kizza Besigye and former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, under President Yoweri Museveni’s direction. Mao said the discussions were intended to promote national reconciliation, but stressed that the political engagement was separate from the men’s court cases and medical treatment. Mao described the government’s approach as involving three parallel tracks: court proceedings, medical care and political engagement aimed at exploring options for reconciliation. “The instructions of the president is that talk to everybody who has a stake in the lives of the Lord Mayor and Dr. Besigye so that for the sake of Uganda we find harmony,” Mao said. (Source @ NilePost)
Reading and hearing reports of “quiet discussions” taking place on the order of President Museveni to seek a solution to the legal woes of Retired Colonel Dr. Kiiza Besigye and Lord Mayor Emeritus Erias Lukwago.
It got me thinking.
Might these cases be a good opportunity to prioritize and utilize restorative justice systems, such as Mato Oput?
If the purpose of the talks are genuinely “for the sake of Uganda we find harmony,” why reinvent the wheel?
Why not use the known and tested restorative justice systems our ancestors bequeathed us?
In which case, as was the case in the Kanyamunyu-Akena murder case, why not temporarily suspend the Court cases, in order to set up the necessary environment for restorative justice to take over?
Just wondering.
Let’s Chat…