The Uganda Human Rights Commission has summoned the MP for Kilak South Gilbert Olanya to appear before the commission over allegations of hate speech and sectarianism.
In a video that went viral more than a week back, Olanya while meeting some Acholi community members is said to have incited them against the herdsmen who are said to have taken over their land in Acholi.
The Chairperson of UHRC Mariam Wangadya told journalists on Thursday that in the video, the MP said the Balaalo must go, leave Acholi land, and that the people of Acholi should rise and chase Balaalo (pastoralists) off their land.
“Never be timid. Timidity and stupidity are not needed” Olanya is said to have stated in the Acholi language as he also launched a movement dubbed “Chase Balaalo away from the Acholi land”.
Wangadya who read from an English translation of Olanya’s statements said the MP’s acts were divisive, sectarian, discriminatory, unlawful, and tantamount to hate speech against the Balaalo.
Hon Olanya was expected to appear before the commission on Tuesday but he requested to appear on Thursday at 10 a.m. However, when Olanya did not appear more than one and a half hours after the agreed time, Wangadya addressed the press and summoned the MP to appear before the commission on Monday.
Wangadya says that every Uganda has a right to live in an area of their choice across the country. She said that the Balaalo just like other members of the community should enjoy this freedom provided they live there legally and that they occupy the land formally.
The chairperson asked the police to enforce the law on sectarianism as provided under the Penal Code Act. She says sectarian and hateful speech has been witnessed severally in society and hence urged all government agencies and the president, in particular, to rise against what she called a “monster”.
Wangadya says she has instructed all human rights regional offices to record cases of hate speech and periodically report to headquarters for further action. She says in a country of diverse cultures and ethnicities, it is barbaric to discriminate against people.
In May 2023, the President issued executive order number 3 to evict the Balaalo, setting a deadline of September 30. The order didn’t take effect and days after the deadline, the President extended the deadline to October 20th, which has since expired with no action taken.
The failure to honor presidential orders and now a call by the president to the people of Acholi to co-exist with Balaalo has left some people in Acholi disgruntled and feeling unprotected by the state.
