Buganda Rd Court this week charged Dr. Kizza Besigye with ‘Inciting Voilence’ and granted him cash bail of shs. 30million. However the former Presidential candidate declined bail and was remanded to luzira prison claiming the amount was unfair and extension of injustices he has faced for long.
When Granted Bail is Denied Bail! Is 30 Million shillings Cash Bail Justifiable? Besigye through his lawyers made appeal which will be heard next week. His arrest for ‘walk to work’ a project he calls a wake up call against increasing Commodity Prices, unfair laws, corruption and other unconstitutional acts of government. It’s not the first time for former Forum for Democratic Change president to face these charges. Ugandans have witnessed him whisked into police van on several occasions.
Was Besigye’s protest effect? Yes, it was and will always be effective as MP for Soroti Anna Adeke Ebaju emphasised. The legislator explained that Besigye’s protest led to a presidential address on the ongoing Commodity Prices, though no intervention was made by government, she asked Ugandans to be vigilant.
One would wonder, why did he protest with perfect knowledge that price increase is the effect of forces of demand and supply resulting from the Russia-Ukraine war that cause shortages in Petroleum and other commodities but again it’s the role of every government to protect their citizens through monetary and fiscal policies intervention. For Ugandans, unfortunately this has been a 30 year progressive inflation that needs to be addressed with scrutiny.
A reduction in taxes for locally produced goods would most likely create impact but like the President sarcastically explained, government projects such as roads, electricity must continue. Other economists argue that direct cash transfers to ordinary citizens below poverty line could help but for a developing country like Uganda it’s unsustainable and ineffective due to bureaucracy and corruption.
Well in Kenya, transport sector has been subsidised to avoid reduction in consumer purchasing power and it’s working! however, is it sustainable? we don’t know for sure.
Like Besigye, many Ugandans are asking the methods at which Bail cash is derived and for what purpose.
