By John Stephen Katende

8^th Oct 2012:

Retired Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa has won a $1m award for “speaking truth to power”.  The Mo Ibrahim Foundation, a London-based charitable organisation that has set itself the task of promoting good governance in Africa, announced the one-off award on October 3^rd.

In a statement, the Foundation said Tutu “…is and has throughout his life been one of Africa’s great voices for justice, freedom, democracy and responsible, responsive government”.

A Nobel Peace Laureate in later years, Tutu distinguished himself as an anti-apartheid crusader during the most desperate years of the struggle when most black political leaders like Nelson Mandela had been imprisoned for fighting against white racist rule.

In his book ‘God is not a Christian’ – a title that has raised many eyebrows within the Anglican communion, and indeed in the entire Christian family, Tutu made no secret about his resentment of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians, as well as China’s treatment of Tibetans.

Only last month, Tutu proved once again that he is not afraid of “speaking truth to power” when he refused to share a platform with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and called for both Blair and former US president George W Bush to face trial in The Hague for their role in the Iraq war.

Tutu accused the two hawkish ex-world leaders of lying about weapons of mass destruction, adding that the invasion of Iraq had left the world more destabilised and divided “than any other conflict in history”.

The Mo Foundation, founded by Sudanese-born Mo Ibrahim, also gives an annual $5m prize for good governance in Africa, awarded to a former head of state.

Recent recipients of the award include former presidents Festus Mogae, Joachim Chissano and Pedro Verona of Botswana, Mozambique and Cape Verde respectively.  END.  Login to www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories mid-week for our updates

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