In 1986, President Museveni stated that the problem with Africa are leaders who overstay in power. He derided leaders who ply western capitals in ill-afforded presidential jets while their citizenry walk bare feet. That is the Museveni we all loved. The new multi-millionaire Museveni is a mockery of the 1986 Museveni. The image of Uganda is similar to the one of Apartheid South Africa. Citizens are tear gased for exercising their God given right for free speech and association. Water cannons and a rag tag army of stick wielding bandits reigning havoc on innocent civilians. Police pointing a gun at the head of the opposition party. Judges are on strike. Museveni is drunk with power and will not rest until all members of his family are millionaires. How can CHOGM take place in such an environment?

Alfred Byaruhanga, Kampala, Uganda

I for one is Ugandan citizen and astudent at Makerere University Kampala but as isee things,we would like our country to host this major event as it would bring alight to our nation but since we have apolitical leader who wants to do things in his own favour(recent example) of giving our our nature(forest) to an Indian businessman,some elites will not allow this to go on and will always call for peaceful demostrations for their rights but since we he(Museveni) wants things to be done his way,he sends police to protestors and this is how things begin,they shall not just sit back and wait for police to act on them,this is going to continue until he stops his acts and am concerned that the CHOGM meeting may get insecurity because as members are in discussion issues and entering the country,demostrations shall be on streets and this will bring insecurity to the good heads of states and the Queen at large...ithink this should be analysed and over addressed to the concerned.

Ronnie, kampala, uganda

It is better to change the chogm because if the queen visits uganda this will show how the foreign influence has masterminded the dirty politcs of africa and we are seeing it in this case were a dictator like museveni can get a go -ahead to get such a priviledge of being the president of the host country.The MUSEVENI ruling dynasty has robbed Uganda citizens of everything and the poor citizens of uganda and other poor african countries have nothing to benefit from these summits apart from those families around the presidents.We as concerned citizens see no need of uganda hosting the summit as there is no rule of law..The queen better be aware of her security..

jay, newyork, new york

The relocation of the CHOGM from Uganda to another country would be a big blow to President Museveni's ego. He rigged the 2006 elections so that he could be around when the CHOGM took place. He has invested massively in hotels, of course in partnership with his Asian business associates, hoping to reap enormous profits from the CHOGM. His trusted ministers have been allocated collosal sums of money, to "prepare" for the prestigious meeting. The man will faint!

Pyati Sololo, Nakasero, Kampala, Uganda

Ohh God i can't believe this! ive come to confirm that politics is a Very dirty game as the saying goes. Upto now the Opposition is Uganda has failed to concide defeat! Very amazing. The opposition is doing all what it takes to distabilise Kampala and Uganda because there is a milestone (CHOGM) going to be achieved and they percieve it that it will be credited to the ruling government & not Ugandans! What a shame. Now if the Queen doesn't come, what will they have gained. No wonder if the President declares to stand again, he can win with a Land slide because Ugandans are not fools and gone are those foolish days. We want peace and people should stop abusing the peace and Democracy we have. H.E YK Museveni would have gone long time but the way the opposition portrays its self has made Ugandans keep him. Now loook at CHOGM, the opposition has made a big blunder for the fracas its creating, and come 2011. Why such personal hatred Ugandans?! Lets be very realistic & democratic. 4G & My U

Josseuk, Kampala, Uganda

This article is filled with speculation and no concrete evidence! The truth of the matter is that in January this year the opposition set out with a plan to create havoc in the country every month of the year with the aim of creating a bad name for the government in Uganda. The northern part of Uganda is experiencing peace for the first time in over twenty years and has joined the rest of the country in the enjoyment of this peace!

To shift the summit is not an issue to be raised by the home office but by the commonwealth secretariat! There have already been denials by the secretariat about this move.

Watch this space timesonline! In november you will be reporting about the summit and the visti of Her Majesty to Uganda!

Rukundo, Kampala, Uganda

But here in Uganda we are ok there is nothing like insecurity.

Robert, kampala (UGANDA), uganda

Allowing the commonwealth conference to take place in Uganda amidst on ongoing wars all over the country (LRA in the North, and Allied Democratic Forces –ADF and Peoples Redemption Army – PRA operating in Eastern, Western and Central) and the on going purging of all political oppositions in the country, will be an oversight of the commonwealth and a blatant legitimisation of Museveni’s dictatorial regime in Uganda. An action the international community will live to regret because of the fact that Museveni’s regime will show it’s true colours after this CHOGM conference. Solomon Bbemba, Kampala, Uganda.

Solomon Bbemba, Kampala, Uganda

This would be the best gift to the deprived Ugandans.The fact that the Dictatorship has used the CHOGM ,East African Federation,to treat Ugandans as Serfs will surely be the best decision evert taken by the British,this guy is worse of than Mugabe.

Malaenge, kampala, Uganda

President Museveni and his dictatorial regime truly dont deserve to host the CHOGM but deserve a suspension from the commonwealth like Mugabe and Zimbabwe.Unless he imprives on the numerous atrocities he's committing then Uganda can go ahead and host the Queen.Concerned and Suffering

Kanabe, Kampala, Uganda

This is long overdue. It is inconceivable to see how the Queen can risk her life to attend this conference.
Uganda is the verge of civil war, due to the continued misrule and brutal dictatorship of Museveni.

Ugandans are determined to rid themselves of Museveni and the presence of the Queen will further convince them that Britain is supporting their oppressor. Comparisons between Britain's treatment of Mugabe and Museveni who are both land grabbing in their respective countries will be highlighted especially with the Queen's support of Museveni.

Sam Busolo, Toronto, Canada

well, since Bratain respects human rights and the rule of law, it would be a shame to see the British Gervenment and the Qeen go to Uganda to sport a such Ruler Museveni. imagine a man who changed the term limits, i think Queen should never asociate with a such man, because it will be remembered this way:" the Qeen do not care about the ugandans but the Ugandans Ruler.

Shania, Kampala, Uganda

for real the summit should be posted to another country. this will give a signal to our visionary president that he has done nothing but havork to the country

kiyingi Tonny, kampala, uganda

For so long, Britain has given Museveni a free reign in, not only Ugandan, but African polictics. He has freely invaded neighbouring states such as a Rwanda, Congo and Sudan without condemnation while at the same time, blaming all of the attrocities of the Northern war on the LRA. Museveni has been the worst dictator Uganda has ever had, and will ever see. The man has manipulated an extended term to his already 5 terms in power. The Queen's visit to Uganda will merely serve to lendcredence to this illegitimate and murderous regime.

Who says that CHOGM cannot be postponed until a clean, democratically elected

Sam Kasozi, Mukono, Uganda

dear times i think God is finally answering our prayers CHOGM was really a good thing but the safety in the country is a big matter to the queen and the heads of state one thing am sure of is that the opposition must demostrate during chogm and that will not be a good display because here demostartions mean a diffrent thing so i would really want to situation to be resolved frist to avoid blood shed

loud kabugo, kampala, uganda

Dear Times ,we in Uganda are also faces with the issue of the continue mass violation of the Environmental rights,by our good Govt led by Gen YK Museveni

Right now,the crusade is to give away,Mabira Tropical Forest one of the biggest forests in Africa,to one investor called Mehta to expand his sugar production.

In reaction to this,Environmentalists have been jailed for opposing the move.

Faaza Mugaga, Mukono/Kampala, Uganda

this should have happened long time ago, like every sound ugandan as said that this chogam will only benefit the m7s only at the expence of the poor taxe payers
that money could have been spent on improving hospitals ,
school ,roads ,and pay for techers, doctors and police

edward, boston , usa

I look at issue in more than one way.
First of all, I would be glad if the CHOGM were held in Uganda,(my home-country).

On the other hand it is high time that the international world takes it´s stand on the current government´s crude way of action. The president, his family and other cabinet Ministers have managed to robe the country`s wealth. I think it is high time they realise that though they have fooled the Ugandan people this long, there will not always be a chance to fool around.

At the same time I think that if the CHOGM does not take place in Uganda due to the above named resons, President Museveni could take his revenge out on the other opposition leaders and members.

Alice Kwagala, kampala, Uganda

I am very Ugandan, I would love this summit to be hosted by my mother Country. The bottom line we lack capacity in every sector to handle a summit of this magnititude, It woud be a shame for the Queen to glorify this government. It did well as a rebel outfit with help of the Broad based Government i.e, incorporating traditional political parties in the first 10 yrs of their rule, the latter pulled out after 10yrs. The rebels made up of mainly peasants have lacked the vision to look beyond the villages. The government has been reduced to a family/cronies band wagon. I am a lawyer by professional, according to most elite Ugandans, this president voted by peasants is now on record as being the worst president to have ever ruled Uganda, The worst thing ever to happen to any country is to have a revolutionist coming to power, the likes of Fidel Castro, Mugabe, Gaddafi, they will always hold a country at ransom thinking they did it a favour to salvage it from anarchy by clinging to power.

Businge Roland, Kampala, Uganda

The ordinary citizens were never going to benefit from CHOGM so it makes no difference to some of us apart from seeing more tourists in the country. Human rights must be respected.

Julie Eve Acan, Kampala, Uganda

I dont see how Ugandans will benefit from CHOGM if all the available benefits are going to the MUSEVENI sycophants who are well proven corrupt officers.In any case, what would be the value of hosting an International meeting like this when the GOVERNMENt doesnt not respect the international obligations it has to fulfill? for instance, the proposed giveaway of MABIRA forest Reserve is a threat to Biodiveristy as opposes to the COnvention on BIological Diversity, whi Uganda ratified. This thus means that even what will be agreed upon during the Kampala meeting will not be respected by this DICTATORIAL government and thus will fall on deaf ears.Its better that the meet is shifted to a "democratic nation" if its to succed in its agenda.


Makerere University, Kampala

Sabiiti, KAMPALA, UGANDA

CHOGM will definately benefit Uganda in all sectors if all revenue is not misappropriated. The problem is that if it goes ahead with all what is happening in the country, then it would seem that the main lady of the occasion THE QUEEN would be seen as an ally of the 'Mastard seed sower' who turned a blind eye and if things get worse, my dear Queen would be implicated in a way whatsoever because with the intelligence of my beloved m15, i bet what's happenning in Uganda is well known. Her going to Uganda would all depend on the UK government's intelligence. Sometime back here in the UK during Museveni's visit to meet with the Ugandans in the Diaspora, Museveni was bitterly challenged by a young man on his governess were he had to order his men to kick the hell out of the man's *ss and after the metropolitan police was involved, an exuse was that it was done to protect the so called diplomatic immunity the man had 'by-passed' or not respected

Michael Ntambi, london, uk

Its important to understand the basic fundamentals in the arena; "Uganda a political scenery, Chogm and the unforeseen consequences."
If the Queen is worried , And indeed he should be because as a commonwealth Head she and her government have looked on as the Museveni government has gone from liberators to dictatorship. No one is to be blamed but rest assured the opposition is just waiting for the opportune moment to show the heads that we are at war. We need to be worried about "Liberators" and so the questions is who is to blame for the onslaught that is going on in uganda the Heads of state need too question the moral justifications of the Museveni government. If a president can sell a forest then he cant surely the basic freedoms of the people he laid to by pretending to fight for them. Museveni is not the only Brave Man Nor is His inner circle. We will fight for waht is ours by Birth.Before the queen comes to the Pearl , let her ask the people what is the problem???

Serumma Bardett, Kampala , Uganda

Well, the government of Uganda will be tyhe one to blame if the conference venue is transferred elsewhere. Our govermnent leaders have failed to understand what a multi-party democracy means; you cannot keep opposition gagged, demonstrations are very normal in democratic governance and policemen are supposed to march with the demonstrators or to attend demonstration rallies when they are held; however, in uganda, opposition has been interpreted to mean being against government. What is happeneing to Uganda is the hungover of One- Party Dictatorship which was common among Communist/Socialist countries where there was no opposition, no basic human rights and so forth.
There is nothing wrong in people going to the streets to express their dissatisfaction of what has gone wrong. What if the conference is held in Kampala and people go to the streets to demonstrate against the injustice NRMO is currently meting to them, how will the government react, will they teargas people ?

Moringa Li, Kampala, Uganda

am worried we may miss the CHOGM helt in our mother land for the first time,every one of us(ugandans) is so proud to host such a wonderful meeting! i believe the Queen cant just step in a country where there is sooo much instability like in uganda. we eat tear gas here,batoons,and live bullets.oppostion leadders and the judicialy in strikes,and riots day after the other.
people may decide to show there anger and go over the streets and strike,or make a riot and anything to demostrate and show the queen how depressed they are. to show there uncontentment when she vists uganda!!

DAVIS KIZITO KIBYAMI, KAMPALA, uganda

I personaly dont think the withdraw of CHOGM from uganda is gonna make tthe current situation any better however there is still some time for the govenment of Uganda to improve on the current situation by restoaring peace in the country. i definately believe that CHOGM is for the benefit of all ugandans in that the country is going to be in a much better position after CHOGM in terms of trade and mainly tourism. Already there is a huge improvement in kampala, the roads are all almost done to perfection and so many other things. Sometimes i wish the Queen could visit Uganda every year, i think uganda would not be where it is now. lastly but not least, I also strongly advise the government of Uganda to listen to what people have to say and also improve on corruption. Africans are tired of corruption.

fredrick seny, london, UK

Conditions in Uganda are worse than the people at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office are aware of. No political rallies are allowed in Kampala, People are tear gassed and there is a club wielding militia(the Kiboko Squad) which has been created to beat up and harm opposition members. Worsestill, when in action, they do not differentiate between who is a demonstrator or not, whoever would be in Kampala, would get a share of the beating. The commonwealth would be worthless if it went a head and held the meeting in this politically rotten country

Patrick, Kampala, Uganda

I live in Kampala, and I assure you we don't "shoot each other in the streets" as your unnamed source implies. Like many places (including London), we have our share of crime and violent public protests, but we have not degenerated into a lawless state. Also please note there is no "continuing strike by judges." Our courts are fully operational. You ought to have cross checked your facts prior to publishing your article.

Robert, Kampala, Uganda

iam uganadan, have been there and i suport the withdraw of the summit , democracy in uganda is not real, its for show, corruption , torture, violence by the police, no fredom of speech, the jailed opposition menbers, and massive corruption makes the president unfit to host such a world high profile summit.
its like the world will be appreciating the presient and condemning ugandans.

Muhumuza, leeds, uk

I wouldn't support the withdraw of the Queens visit to my country.Firstly it would expose Uganda to the external world, promote trade,tourism,improve the infrustracture develpment as we're currently seen.The benefits are huge.

But again Uganda's politics at the moment leaves alot to be desired.The man at the center stage of all this is the president himself.Right from the 2001 general presidential elections to the recent 2006 after constitutional ammendments to uplift term limits,the elections were mired by gross malpractices,rigging,torture and shooting and killing during broad day light of opposion supporters.

The illicit dishing of national resources to bogus investors has exarcebated the trend of events.The current street riots in Kampala and arresting opposition leaders and supporters by no doubt show that Ugandans are tired of Museveni's dictatorial regime.All these have impacted negatively on Ugandas image regionally and internationally.

Robert Kimera, Oxford, United Kingdom

Your reference to a Coolum, Queensland, CHOGM being postponed in 2002 is inaccurate. CHOGM was scheduled to be held in Brisbane in September/October 2001 (with the Leaders' Retreat at Coolum), but was deferred after 11/9 and was eventually held in Coolum in about March 2002.

Frank Yourn, Brisbane, Australia

As much as it would be good for Uganda to host such an important summit, such a summit being held in the country raises questions about the Common Wealth's position on democracy. It may appear as condoning President Museveni's increasing strides in rolling back democracy, which he himself helped build. Remember it was not long after the summit in Harare that Mugabe went on rampage - after all he had been handed a vote of confidence by the international community.
It is likely that the people that will suffer the ills of hosting that summit will be the common people who will be beaten, imprisoned, barred from moving et ceterra - not even to mention the fate of those that will express disapproval publicly.
Every Ugandan would be proud to be part of that summit if it wasn't going to be an endorsement of misery.

Stephen Twinoburyo, Cape Town, South Africa