The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda has today issued a statement affirming it recognises this week’s order by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel, and also disassociating itself from a dissenting judgment by Judge Julia Sebutinde.
Foreign affairs PS Bagiire Vincet Waiswa said the ICJ order for Israel to prevent genocide acts in Gaza is in line with the position of the recently concluded 19th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), held in Kampala on 19 – 20 January, 2024.
The Heads of State and Government of the NAM condemned the continuing Israeli military campaign against the defenseless Palestinian people, and deplored the killing of over 21,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip in the period between October and December 2023.
Judge Sebutinde dissented from the majority in the ICJ Order, arguing that the dispute between the State of Israel and the people of Palestine is essentially and historically a political one, calling for a diplomatic or negotiated settlement, and for the implementation in good faith of all relevant Security Council resolutions by all parties concerned, with a view to finding a permanent solution whereby the Israeli and Palestinian peoples can peacefully coexist. In her opinion, this is not
a legal dispute susceptible of judicial settlement by the Court.
“The Government categorically clarifies that, the position taken by Judge Sebutinde is her own individual and independent opinion, and does not in any way, reflect the position of the Government of the Republic of Uganda,” he said.
The NAM called for an immediate end to the Israeli military aggression and siege on the Gaza Strip and for immediate, unimpeded and sufficient humanitarian assistance at scale, to meet the enormous needs of the Palestinian civilian population and to enable urgently needed reconstruction and recovery, in accordance with the recent Security Council and General Assembly resolutions on this matter.
They also rejected any individual or mass forcible transfer and deportation of Palestinians from the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including to any other country, which amounts to a grave breach of the Geneva Conventions.
Justice Sebutinde ruling at the International Court of Justice does not represent the Government of Uganda’s position on the situation in Palestine. She has previously voted against Uganda’s case on DRC. Uganda’s support for the plight of the Palestinian people has been expressed…
— Adonia Ayebare (@adoniaayebare) January 26, 2024
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UGANDA statement
STATEMENT ON THE ORDER BY THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE REGARDING THE APPLICATION OF THE CONVENTION ON THE PREVENTION AND PUNISHMENT OF THE CRIME OF GENOCIDE IN THE GAZA STRIP (SOUTH AFRICA v. ISRAEL): 26 JANUARY, 2024
The Government of Uganda takes note of the Order by the International Court of Justice, issued on 26th January, 2024 with regard to a case by the Republic of South Africa, on the application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip.
In this regard, the Government of Uganda affirms its association with the decisions and positions of the recently concluded 19th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), held in Kampala on 19 – 20 January, 2024, as contained in the Kampala Final Outcome Document, and the Political Declaration on Palestine. Among other things, the Heads of State and Government of the NAM:
• Condemned the continuing Israeli military campaign against the defenseless Palestinian people, and deplored the killing of over 21,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip in the period between October and December 2023, over 70% of whom were children and women, and the wounding and maiming of over 55,000 Palestinian children, women and men in bombardments by air, land and sea by the Israeli occupying forces, as well as ongoing attacks by occupying forces and settlers in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, that killed over 300 Palestinians, including 79 children, and wounded more than 3,800 people in the same period, in addition to the killing of 200 other Palestinians in 2023.
• Called for an immediate end to the Israeli military aggression and siege on the Gaza Strip and for immediate, unimpeded and sufficient humanitarian assistance at scale, to meet the enormous needs of the Palestinian civilian population and to enable urgently needed reconstruction and recovery, especially of homes and vital infrastructure, including in particular of hospitals, schools and water, sanitation and electricity networks, in accordance with the recent Security Council and General Assembly resolutions on this matter.
• Rejected any individual or mass forcible transfer and deportation of Palestinians from the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including to any other country, which amounts to a grave breach of the Geneva Conventions.
The Government of Uganda further notes the opinion of Judge Julia Sebutinde on the matter. The Government categorically clarifies that, the position taken by Judge Sebutinde is her own individual and independent opinion, and does not in any way, reflect the position of the Government of the Republic of Uganda.
Bagiire Vincet Waiswa
PERMANENT SECRETARY
But why now take up arms against the Judge Sebutinde’s ruling, I thought that is what Justice is for. Wasn’t she supposed to make a personal ruling? If it different from the rest why the fuss?
Noah too, and his family, was the last man standing on the true standard before the great flood. Amazing how the non-aligned movement is suddenly aligned and how convenient that Uganda is the current chair? Kudos Justice Julia!!
We who understands the cause of the ongoing war between Israel 🇮🇱 and the terrorist groups called hamas and the JIHADISTS in gaze can only stand up gladly congratulate our dear beloved sister Julia S. For doing her best to ensure that she passed the judgment not based on following what majority are saying but on a right way of seeing things. These are the kind of judges we need in this country of Uganda 🇺🇬 and the whole world at large. People who don’t view things the way other do.
Congratulations to sister her worship Julia S for doing the perfect job.
And as for Uganda 🇺🇬 not defending her in this case it’s a very big shame before the LORD God and the rest of the world. Uganda 🇺🇬 a country claiming to be a God fearing nation needs to land the difference between the two things. Israel 🇮🇱 is not fighting with the Palestinian people but the terrorist groups called hamas and their associates known as the JIHADISTS.
Therefore this kind of baseless unfounded statement from the government of Uganda 🇺🇬 is just good as other statements that have been made by all other Arab countries and fellow supporters of terrorist groups. Whose aims is nothing else but perfect hatred against the nation of Israel 🇮🇱.
Uganda 🇺🇬 MUST learn how to give statements especially when it comes to the case of Israel 🇮🇱. Being watchful against issuing statements that will attract a fierce judgment of God into the country for nothing. FOR ONE HAS EVER STOOD AGAINST THE NATION OF ISRAEL 🇮🇱 AND JUST GOT AWAY WITH IT.
UGANDA 🇺🇬 MUST EXTRA CAREFUL NOT TO MEDLE WITH ISRAEL 🇮🇱… BETTER STAND WARNED…
I supported Sebutinde’s position on ICJ rulling. First of all Palestinians are all members of Hamas except women and children that is why most people who died were women and children.
Hamas mounts rocket launchers amongst the civilians around Hospitals, mosques and school compounds which makes these areas a legitimate targets. They hide in tunnels leaving women and children outside to be bombed by the Israeli.
So, what do you like Israelis to do? You want Israelis to abandon the war and leave the tunnels intact just like that? Ohh my God!! The question of genocide doesn’t arrive in this case. Hamas is to be blamed.