Chief Justic Owiny-Dollo’s apology to Kabaka receives mixed reactions

This follows his written apology that was circulated by both corporate media and social media at the start of the week in which he made the promise that he would “…immediately hereafter communicate to the Katikkiro of Buganda in writing, registering this apology.”

However, a large section of people has criticized the chief justice for apologizing only to the Kabaka and not the entire nation (especially the Acholi and the Baganda) that he offended by what many perceived as tribalistic comments.

Owiny-Dollo, while speaking at deceased Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah’s vigil, had asked why some people in the diaspora had protested Oulanyah’s presence in a foreign hospital yet had not complained when the Kabaka travelled to Germany for treatment.

He had said, “…your ethnic, leader, you-you who were demonstrating was transported in a presidential jet to Germany, using public funds. He was not entitled. You didn’t demonstrate. Is it because Oulanyah is an Acholi? Is it because he doesn’t speak your language?”

These comments had been viewed by the public as extremely tribalistic and the chief justice came under fire for uttering them, with many asking him to apologize.

Today’s event, which was a closed door meeting with the Katikkiro, was seen by the public as an effort in futility, going by the conversations on the matter on social media with many asking that he should now go on and apologize to the whole nation publicly.

Popular telecaster Simon Kaggwa-Njala tweeted: “This is very historic. Next he should come to the Constitutional Square to publicly apologize to the nation for offending the entire nation.”

Kaggwa Njala Pulse Live Uganda

Young and outspoken human rights lawyer, Isaac Ssemakadde also tweeted: “‘THREAD ALERT—“I am sorry for attacking the Kabaka, but not for attacking his subjects.’ Today we shall expose the unjudicial conduct of HIS WICKEDNESS Chief Justice Alphonse Chigamoy Owiny Dollo, unless of course he goes to Bulange & withdraws his NON-APOLOGY APOLOGY...”

Owiny-Dollo 10 Pulse Live Uganda

However, many also viewed this in-person apology as sufficient of the Chief Justice, with many perceiving genuine remorse in Owiny-Dollo's part.

This twitter user appreciated the chief Justice, "Appreciation tweet To the chief justice for being humble and recognising his mistake The Kabaka can't be dragged into anything like that again because his a symbol of unity I can now cease fire."