Uganda’s justice Minister blames African leaders for immigrants drowning in Mediterranean

BY Tom Mugisha, tom.mugisha@alleastafrica.com

KAMPALA – Uganda’s Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister, Gen Kahinda Otafiire has blamed African leaders for failing to use the continent’s abundant natural resources to the benefit of its people.

Gen Otafiire who was on Friday addressing  a lecture in commemoration of South Africa’s African National Congress fighters died in Uganda in early 1990s while undergoing military training to fight the apartheid regime back home chided African leaders for failing to guide people who end risking unsafe journey on the Mediterranean sea to go to Europe to look for better life.

“Why? Because those of us who are in charge, have failed to turn this abundant wealth in Africa into the welfare for our people. Because we who understand have allowed ideologically bankrupt people to mislead our communities,” Gen Otafiire said.

He says people should be guided and helped not to risk their lives to cross the Mediterranean Sea and other oceans in pursuit of wealth in western nations.

Gen Otafiire used the same event to launch Ugandan chapter of the African Heritage Liberation Route at the Oliver Tambo School of Leadership, a school named after the South African the South African anti-apartheid politicians Oliver Thambo in Kaweweta, Nakaseke District.

In late 1980s Uganda gave a sanctuary to ANC fighter who had been expelled from Angola during the anti-apartheid.

Gen Otafiire also lashed out at the Western states who he accused of endlessly stealing resources from Africa and maintaining a form of colonialism.

He advocated for a united Africa, with all the states coming together to get leverage and break the poverty chain.

Sonwabile Mancotywa, the Chief Executive Officer of South Africa’s National Heritage Council said Africa is not yet liberated given the existing challenges that are blocking her economic freedom.

He says that the leadership of Africa should not only concentrate on political freedom but economic freedom as well.