By Our Online Team

21^st Nov 2011:

Egwea: Walking out to retirement

The embattled National Resistance Movement [NRM] party official who was hounded out of the conference hall by angry crowds at the Grand Public Debate addressed by FDC President Dr. Kizza Besigye in London last Saturday 12^th has thrown in the white towel and decided to withdraw from active party politics.

In an email seen by this newspaper dated November 16^th, Mr. Robert Olet Egwea, the former Secretary for Research in NRM-UK Chapter, who had insisted amidst deafening boos at the London conference that there was no crisis in Uganda, said he has had time to reflect on the remarks and wise counsel of concerned Ugandans following his participation at both the Oslo and London political debates.

“…I hear what you are saying and do appreciate your concerns.  Therefore, I have today made a conscious personal decision to withdraw from all active party political engagements until further notice in order to concentrate on peace building and development lobby.  After all, I am neither a government executive nor a paid party official.” Mr. Egwea said in his resignation declaration.

Mr. Egwea however said he remains committed to good governance and also reaffirmed his strong opposition to the use of force in advancing a political agenda. “…My decision stems from the burning need to ensure sustainable peace, equitable development and unequivocal respect for human rights in Uganda having witnessed a deplorable level of bitterness, intolerance, and extremism among a section of my countrymen.” the former NRM foot soldier added.

Robert Egwea also said he is conscious of and concerned about the widespread poverty in Uganda as well as what he called “…the sharp disparity between the rich and poor” and that he now wants to direct his energy and resources to promoting peace, upholding human rights, and fighting poverty from an independent position.

An elderly member of the Lango Association in London who spoke to this newspaper on condition of anonymity however said Mr. Egwea must have come to his senses and finally realised that the NRM government was merely using him as a public punch bag for all the discontent that Ugandans currently have against the government.

“…I think Olet Egwea has finally come to his senses.  As northerner, they [government] were very happy to see him humiliated in public as the Westerners who have real power sit back and smile.  The same thing is happening to Hilary Onek [Internal Affairs Minister – Ed] whom they openly despise as an LRA agent.” the old man said.  END.  Please login to www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories and anytime mid-week for our news updates.