Post effects of #AIGPKaweesi Murder; citizens’ enjoyment of fundamental freedoms at the blink of degeneration
Kampala, 20th/03/2017; as the country continues to mourn the murder of AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi and his juniors; the Unwanted Witness is concerned that fundamental freedoms are at risk of being battered with no exceptions.
Since the gruesome murder of the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) Andrew Felix Kaweesi, bodyguard, Cpl Kenneth Erau and driver Godfrey Wambewo on Friday 17th March 2017 by unknown assailants, president Museveni has directed and vowed to have spy cameras installed on all major towns in Uganda and along highways.
Well as the Unwanted Witness believe that this is a genuine cause for the country to be secure for everyone and sympathize with aggrieved families, but our concern is that rudimentary decisions/ actions undermine the notion of transparency not only during procurement process but also how data will be collected, stored, accessed, and used, which in the long run threaten more lives and bound to be misused and abused.
While addressing mourners last evening at the home of the slain AIGP Felix Kaweesi, president Museveni insisted that nobody will stop government from procuring and installing spy cameras worth Ushs 400 billion (four hundred billion shillings).
President Museveni was quoted in the media to have said that criminals had infiltrated Uganda police force, whose statement caused discomfort among citizens.
“We want our Constitution to be respected and protected; since 1995 when this Constitution was promulgated, Article 27 has never been enforced which has resulted into blatant abuse and violation with impunity of citizens’ right to privacy, which is a gateway to enjoyment of other rights. The time is now to end this constitutional crisis,” said Jeff Wokulira Ssebaggala, Chief Executive Officer, the Unwanted Witness said.
Unwanted witness reiterates the importance of having in place a legal framework to enforce Article 27 of the Republic of Uganda before undertaking such spying in order to safeguard innocent citizens from being exposed to unfettered invasion of their privacy.
Unwanted witness Uganda is a civil society Organization that advocates for open, secure and accessible Internet that contributes to the realisation of human rights and good governance in Uganda.
