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{
    "id": 621807,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/621807/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 57,
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    "content": "importance of free and fair elections in order that we will nurture democracy in our nations. These reports also say that there is a very close correlation between good governance and development. African countries that have performed well in terms of development are those which respect good governance. We are saying this is not to be paternalistic to the Ugandan people, but because we want to be brotherly to our Ugandan brothers and sisters. Something we share in common should not be sacrificed at the alter ego of dictatorship or big man syndrome. It is important too that we recognize the roles that certain countries have played in this continent to advise advanced democracy. The recent elections in Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, Botswana and the pending election in South Africa make us proud. Since there are nations and Governments in African which have stood tall to defend and promote democracy, there is no need why in our region any Government should fall behind in the promotion and defence of democracy. We, as members of the East African Community, should be brave enough to know too that in the East African Community there are standards of good governance that we have committed ourselves to and we should not allow any of our members to depart from. I brought this statement to the House because, at the moment, the rest of the world may judge us harshly if, indeed, what goes on in Uganda is allowed to continue and degenerates into blood that we have never seen before. At the moment, the social media is filled with so many atrocities that have already been committed as a result of the fact that the people are resisting the rigging of the elections. However, the State is perpetuating its own repression on the people so that they may not speak. It was diabolical for the Government of Uganda to shut down social media during these elections. We know the role that social media has played to awaken the African people to the reality of democracy. Freedom of expression and communication is enhanced by the social media. At times, I agree social media goes overboard, but nations and governments should establish rules and regulations to deals with this. However, taking drastic action of shutting down a major avenue of commination among the Ugandan people and between the Ugandan people and the world at large is undemocratic. Further, arresting a leader of the opposition and stopping Mr. Besigye from going to the Electoral Commission to seek for results of an election shows very clearly that the victor is not the victor. The victor has become the victim of his own imagination that he is the victor. These are issues that may visit us in this country. We, as Kenyans, must stand tall and resist that kind of development. I call upon the Government of Uganda to respect the democratic rights of her own people. I call upon the people of East Africa to respect the democratic rights of the people of Uganda. I call upon the International Community to come in solidarity with the people of Uganda. I call upon the United Nations Organization (UNO) whose charter was based on the freedom of all mankind, to come out boldly and tell the world that this is a member of the UNO which has abrogated the charter of the UNO. I call upon the AU not to be timid, but to stand with nations who The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes"
}