THE MOUTHPIECE: SAYING IT WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOUR: MAMDANI AT MISR

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Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Notice and Warning Letter from Simon Musoke

Vincent Nuwagaba<vnuwagaba@gmail.com> Tue, Nov 26, 2013 at 10:49 AM
To: Mahmood Mamdani <mm1124@columbia.edu>
Cc: "simon.musoke" <simon.musoke@misr.mak.ac.ug>
Bcc: george.owor@misr.mak.ac.ug, kenyawe@gmail.com
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Dear Prof Mamdani,
I have received a letter from Simon Musoke, a PhD administrator at MISR purporting that he has "received numerous complaints from the management staff of MISR library" about what he called "my inappropriate behaviour whenever I have visited the library". He adds that the following are some of the complaints that have been raised.
I would like to respond to each allegation raised against me. 1. That I "abuse the library staff, call them all sorts of names like them being terrorists and agents of the state, manhandle them, threaten to beat them up, tell them how I am joining MISR as a PhD student in January 2014 and how close I am to the Director, disregarding the rules and procedures given to me in using the library facility, and also despising them".

My response to this is that I have never abused anyone because I am a liberated man. I believe in the Golden Rule of morality which is espoused by all religions that I know of. In Christianity, the Golden rule states, "Do to others as you would have them do to you" (Luke 6:31, Matthew 7:12). In Islam the golden rule states that, "None of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself". In the Bahai Faith, the golden rule is "Blessed is he who prefers his brother before himself". In Budhism, the golden rule is "Hurt not others in ways that you would find hurtful". In Judaism, the golden rule is "What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow man".
Accordingly, Simon Musoke and the alleged MISR library staff hate being abused. But they have perfected the art of abusing. Even sex workers are better behaved than them. I was kidnapped on the morning of Monday 25, November and went through hell. I found the books that I had including the readings for Sunday 24, and my Rosary at the MISR reception. Am I wrong to suspect that they belong to the dirty tricks unit?
As for Simon Musoke, he tells me he is a sociologist. Sociologists are supposed to be scientific. I am sure he knows that these people - the complainants have a mental virus but he sides with them. Yet he is a PhD administrator. I suspect that he has a mens rea for making life difficult for me even if I have started. On the 21, October I was tormented by the security guard of the law school under what he told me were "orders from above". I ran towards MISR for rescue but I found hell with Simon. I firmly believe that Simon will not give me a condusive environment to study.

I have all the rights to use MISR library. In fact, I am already a PhD student. The only difference is that we are in the period of holidays. Otherwise, upon admission, I think and maybe I am wrong that one
becomes a student immediately. Accordingly, if Simon Musoke is the one who admitted me, let him now dismiss me. If you, iconic Professor Mamdani together with your able team admitted me, I beg for a fair
hearing. As a human rights defender, I know the right to a fair hearing is a non-derogable right. On the basis of this letter which I am going to scan, I am filing a suit of libel against Simon Musoke.
And professor, before you listen to both sides (a legal principle of audi alteram partem), I can only feel safe and secure in the MISR library for it provides me with academic growth. Besides, Simon always
sends us regular correspondences, how does he expect me to respond to them?

On whether I am known to you, I was a member of the Prof Mamdani discussion group together with Simba Salie, Stephen Arojjo, Crispin Kintu Nyago, Mesharch Katusiime, Henry Kassacca and Enock Kiyaga
Mayanja among others. I also assisted Morris Nsamba to collect data for you as you were writing your book "Scholars in the Market Place".
As a student leader I led the student volunteers team at the CODESRIA General Assembly of December 2002 which was hosted at the International Conference Centre to honour you Prof Mamdani. Prof
Adebayo Olukoshi gave us the volunteers free membership but I also have my other academic home at CBR which you started. Should I be victimised because I know you?
Finally, I am reliably informed that my tormentors are not employees of MISR but of the University Library. I beg that they be transferred where their uncouth behaviour can be brooked. I also beg that Simon
restrains from his patronising and condescending attitude.

I have refused to be patronised by Kayihura, Otafiire - my area MP and Yoweri Museveni. I can only be patronised by the almighty God. Accordingly, I will never stop using the library until I have gotten express orders from you. And I am sure you cannot do that out of irrational emotions, impulse for you cannot be swayed by any wind to any direction.
Sincerely,
VINCENT NUWAGABA
+256702843552

IN SEARCH OF A REPLY REGARDING MY PhD FELLOWSHIP

I have written to you but have got no response. I wonder whether you have not read your mails since I started writing to you three or four days ago.
From what the Vice Chancellor Prof John Ddumba told me, you acted ultra vires to suspend my PhD. While that one alone was bad enough, you said my suspension was pending a graduate teaching staff meeting.
That meeting never took place. Accordingly, the said SUSPENSION IS VOID AB INITIO (null and void from the very start). This means I was never suspended and I am a student with the other eleven who have finished their first year of study.
Accordingly, I must report together with the other eleven in January 2015 to join 2nd year with my classmates. It means also that I will be entitled to arrears of all my stipend plus the ten million shillings that was disbursed to the rest. I will also be entitled to accommodation and meals expenses that I have incurred during my void suspension. At least non-discrimination is a key principle of human rights.

There are two faculty staff in the Dep't of Political science who warned me in advance that once I enroll for that programme I must not speak otherwise I would be discontinued before reaching midway. I thought such a thing could not even happen in modern day prisons. I thus applied to prove for myself.

If it is true that once one speaks what is unpalatable to you they face harsh consequences, then the PhD programme violates freedom of expression, freedom of conscience, freedom of thought and freedom of speech. I learnt from you in the early 2000s that a university is supposed to enhance critical thought. Benjamin Disraeli defined a university as a place of liberty, a place of light, a place of learning. I doubt whether one can learn in a situation where their conscience is in captivity.
Diversionary tactics of referring to psychiatrists were debunked by Dr Sylvia Nshemereirwe. But you also well know that in autocratic societies, mental hospitals are abused to effect torture on critics. That is what Germany under Hitler used mental hospitals for and that's what Russia under Stalin did. I doubt whether you know the works of Michelle Foucault.Otherwise, you would know that people who think beyond the average in any society are the ones dragged to mental hospitals. I thought you were smarter than what you have proved me to be.

Exactly, I have always been dragged to mental hospitals because I am critically critical of the social injustice that has beset our society. You personally told me that you admitted me because you found out I was critical. I hope you will not victimise me when I become critical of you.

You must have read our constitution. Kindly revisit article 44 which outlines non-derogable rights. Torture to which I was subjected by Simon Musoke and denial of a right to a fair hearing violates inviolable rights. Since you are a celebrated scholar ranking number nine as a world's public intellectual, you must be aware of that. Kindly, let the golden rule that I have often told you about be your guiding principle.
Sincerely,
Vincent Nuwagaba
+256702843552

BLOCKAGE FROM USING THE MISR LIBRARY

Blockage from accessing MISR Library Inbox
Add star Vincent Nuwagaba<vnuwagaba@gmail.com> Tue, Nov 11, 2014 at 6:50 PM
To: Mahmood Mamdani <mahmood.mamdani@columbia.edu>, "pavc@admin.mak.ac.ug" <pavc@admin.mak.ac.ug>, ar <ar@acadreg.mak.ac.ug>, kalawyer1 <kalawyer1@yahoo.co.uk>, kayihurakale1 <kayihurakale1@gmail.com>, okellogwang <okellogwang@gmail.com>, buyinza <buyinza@rgt.mak.ac.ug>, principal <principal@chuss.mak.ac.ug>, mmusoke <mmusoke@mulib.mak.ac.ug>, Irene Mbawaki <agogongu@gmail.com>, baryajadv <baryajadv@yahoo.com>
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Dear Prof Mamdani,

I have been shocked today as I was going to the MISR library, I was blocked by the policeman who attempted to manhandle me. The policeman's name is Oketcho. I was told that the administration of MISR does not allow me inside the library because I am not a registered student. I was shown a communication on the noticeboard to that effect but it was not signed by any of the administrators that I know.

I know that the topmost manager at MISR is you Prof Mahmood Mamdani and in your absence it is the acting director Lawyer Kafureeka.
I am an admitted student with a fellowship letter signed by the MISR PhD administrator Simon Musoke. You yourself held my hand last year in December handed me over to Irene and told her that I should be allowed to use the library until next year in January when I report for classes in January 2015 since you had irregularly given away my place to a lady who hitherto had not qualified.

I am not the one who refused to register myself neither did I refuse to report for classes. I was blocked.
I need an explanation as to why the police should be placed at MISR to block me from accessing the library. And I pray that my status be clarified as fast as possible.
As we build for the future.

Vincent Nuwagaba
+256702843552

Robert Fungo Matanda If Vincent thinks has a case let him go to courts of law and Sue. But I think you can't be holding a provisional admission for 3 years and still claim to be a PhD student

Like · Reply · 1 · 28 January at 18:06

Samuel Oola Olara Our education system has become floppy and unkempt. Look for resources and fly abroad for a world class intellectual dispensation and only return to bulwark against the perennially gomless African academics who are largely an appendage of tyrannical regimes.

Like · Reply · 2 · 29 January at 20:25

Samuel Oola Olara What is happening to Mahmoud now a days? Has the juju and

Unlike · Reply · 2 · 29 January at 20:25

Samuel Oola Olara Clouded his minds?

Unlike · Reply · 1 · 29 January at 20:25

MISR FELLOWSHIP

I hope all is well. I would like to know whether you could have talked to Dr Okello Ogwang in regard to my fellowship. Meanwhile, I have never received any communication from the Post-Graduate Coordinator Simon Musoke. I am pretty sure that those that were admitted have already been communicated to.
This time if I am disregarded I am more than ready to drag this matter to the courts of law. I am very sure that my friend Ladislaus Rwakafuuzi can give me pro bono. I have been quiet but I cannot sit on my rights. I am reliably informed that up to this day, my money still comes.

Meanwhile, there is one student who was allegedly recruited by Prof. Mamdani without applying. Another French student was also recruited irregularly for the fellowship is meant for African students. I would beg that you get in touch with both Okello Ogwang and Mahmood to establish exactly what my fate is. I am very sure that with your input, things will work out.

Regards,
Vincent

A response to the students and staff at MISR, as well as an email list from Prof. Peterson.

Rot at MISR
Add star Vincent Nuwagaba<vnuwagaba@gmail.com> Tue, May 3, 2016 at 8:51 PM
To: brucekabaasa <brucekabaasa@yahoo.com>
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Chairman,
This should give you a hint on what takes place at MISR.
Noosim Naimaisiah

April 20 at 2:36pm · Kampala ·
Prof. MAMDANI sent a press release on the unfolding events at MISR: http://www.misr.mak.ac.ug/…/why-management-makerere-institu…

Wednesday 20th April 2016
A Response To Professor Mamdani’s Press Release
Firstly, I would like to state firmly that I, along with a number of other students are in full support of saving the PhD program at MISR, which we agree is in peril. The terms of this salvation though, have to be seriously understood given the academic and political conditions at MISR. Given the serious nature of allegations and counter allegations, this letter, along with all other letters, petitions and signatures from both sides of the debate will be put online, just as Prof. Mamdani has done, so that our positions are clear, and injustice can be defined and judged on this scale.

I write in response to Professor’s Mamdani’s press release yesterday that sought to justify the uncooperative response of the management at MISR on the matter of an investigation into MISR sanctioned by the
Vice Chancellor (Prof. Ddumba Ssentamu) of Makerere University.

Professor Mamdani claims that the Vice Chancellor lacks the moral authority and objectivity to set up a committee to investigate MISR for a number of reasons. The first is because of Prof. Ssentamu’s close family relations with Dr. Stella Nyanzi. Aside from the fact that this relation has clearly not been helpful at all to Dr. Nyanzi, as she has laid the complaints of her contract and her stand off with Prof. Mamdani to no avail for over four years now, it has also not been helpful to the allegedly ‘insubordinate’ (to quote Prof. Mamdani)
graduate students at MISR. It was at Stella’s protest at MISR that I first saw the Vice Chancellor. This is also the case with some of my colleagues. The only one who has gone to seek redress at his office on
the discriminatory terms of the withdrawal of his scholarship has not had his case acted on, and remains a private student. In fact, the process of trying to get a hearing from the higher bodies at Makerere
has become next to impossible. The matter of wrongful academic evictions was constantly deferred back to the MISR management, against whom these very students were making an appeal. I will elaborate
further on the process that led to the loss of scholarship of three students with email evidence to this effect.
However, I would like us to look closely at the issue of ‘moral authority and objectivity’ and how it operates at MISR. I will cite a few cases to exemplify this. The first one is the fact that the Assistant Director of Finance and Administration at MISR, Dr. James Ocita, is in the advisory committee of a 5th year student who is his brother. This is according to a paper given to the 5th years in a meeting with Prof. Mamdani and Dr. Lynn Ossome and a subsequent email dated 29th February 2016 from the Phd Administrator. Now, Prof. Mamdani was fully aware of this relationship, but chose (our supervisors are chosen for us, without discussion or negotiation) to have the Assistant Director supervise his own brother. The second is the kinship relation between the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Okello Ogwang with the Assistant Director, Dr. James Ocita and his brother, a 5th year student at MISR. There not only exists a kinship relation, but Prof. Okello Ogwang remains a Research Fellow at MISR, as well as a close friend to the director. The effect of this relationship was made evident to a devastating effect. On February 4 2016, a number of students wrote to the DVC, Prof. Ogwang, to ask that a certain student at MISR, Sabatho Nyamsenda, be restrained for his political speech at MISR. All this is available on email. The response from the DVC was immediate. In less than 24 hours, on Feb 5 2016, he had written to Prof. Mamdani, the director, copied to the student as
well as CHUSS (College of Humanities and Social Sciences) to enquire on the matter and ask what Prof. Mamdani was doing about this student who needed to be restrained! On the 8th of February, 2016, a group of students sent a detailed petition to the DVC office and copied the Director and MISR and CHUSS on the political problems at MISR. To date, there has been NO RESPONSE from the DVC’s office! If these are
not cases of operating nepotism and impunity, then pray, tell me, what is? Of course, we also know that Dr. James Ocita is in a relationship with one of the students at MISR and also that Prof. Mamdani rented
out a section of MISR buildings to Maisha Film Lab, a company owned by his own wife! If I have fabricated any of these relationships, then please correct me.
One of the many cases, leading to political tension at MISR was the loss of scholarship of three students at MISR. Two of these students are supposed to be in their 4th year, doing field work, and one is in his second year, doing course work but they lost their scholarships in January 2016. This decision was made by an Academic Board where the attendant members and the teaching staff were new at MISR. They had only arrived at MISR in January 2016. As such, they could not possibly know, at that time, what the standard of work at MISR was. So, those papers of those whose scholarships were revoked were poor, in comparison to what other papers? How can a newly constituted academic board be responsible for making decision of such serious a nature without a full awareness of what the standard of academic work at MISR is, which would among other things, include being acquainted with the works of a big section of students? It came to light however through email correspondence on January 19 2016, that though the student representative at MISR at the time was not allowed to sit in the meetings of academic matters concerning the aforementioned students, one of the students at MISR was very aware of the on-goings of the Academic board, as he told us in an email. This happened, despite the fact that Makerere regulations support student representation at every level of decision making. Therefore, the student representative at MISR was illegitimately kept out of these meetings, whilst another student was privy to the on-goings of this very board!

The reasons given for the dismissal of these students was that the quality of their work was poor and that there was no linguist in the case of one of the students and therefore no one with the requisite skills to supervise his work. However, it is important to note firstly, that these students were working on their proposals without a supervisor! The email correspondence between these students and Prof.Mamdani clearly indicates at the very least, a lack of support, on his part for these students. Secondly, in the case of lack of linguistic expertize, it is pertinent for it to be categorically stated, that this student applied to MISR with this very same research topic. Why then, was he admitted to the program? There has never been any teacher with linguistic skills, and the guidelines on supervision at Makerere states that it should be possible for students to have supervisors outside of MISR. However, the rules operate very differently at MISR.
We are not allowed to seek supervision elsewhere, which is devastating because all the teachers in our first, second and third year have left, and aside from Dr. Florence Ebila who was appointed last year and the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Okello Ogwang, whose courses have been taken up by Dr. James Ocita, everybody else (Dr. Adam Branch, Dr. Pamela Khanakwa, Dr. Giuliano Martinielo, Dr. George Bob-Milliar, Dr. Antonio Thomas, Dr. Anneeth Kaur Hundle, Dr. Mauel Schwabb) has left in seriously acrimonious circumstances with Prof. Mamdani. Given how small the teaching staff at MISR is and how hostile
the environment has become for most of the teachers who chose to leave, along with the number of frustrated students who have fewer choices, we ask, what is to be of us? When people speak about saving
the MISR program, is it in negation of all the other lives of teachers and students that have been relegated to its backwaters, if not completely eradicated from MISR? For I write, as a most deeply concerned student, as someone who most seriously upholds the tenets of the existence of MISR and as someone, among many others, who wants to save MISR from the reign of fear that prevails. I have no vested interest in the MISR program failing (It would be at a great cost to me, as I am in my 5th year!) as well as to everyone else who has invested their energy, their intellect, their time, and their passion to be here. What I am saying though is that I will not be quiet in the face of this continuous injustice and that I SUPPORT MISR WITHOUT
INJUSTICE AND FEAR.

Allow me also, to speak of the context of the political conditions at MISR. Prof. Mamdani has accused Dr. Nyanzi of vandalization (throwing of paint on the doors and outside walls of HIS office), and her alleged insults and intimidating MISR staff and students in the course of her protest on Monday. Firstly, we all have the right to protest against what we deem to be unjust. When people anywhere protest, they use means that will bring attention to their cause, as they are always the weaker ones. Take the case of the strikes at Makerere, and more significantly, the Rhodes Must Fall movement in South Africa. Prof. Mamdani, are you condemning Dr. Nyanzi, as well as the Rhodes Must Fall movement for occupation of public office, temporarily defacing what they see as the source of their oppression like the Rhodes Statue, or your office?

Also, we were also made aware of the fact that under your direct order, the office of the erstwhile accountant at MISR, Mr. Perez, was BROKEN INTO when he was not there, and many things taken, without a court order, or warrant! How can this action legally be explained?

With regard to politics at MISR, one of the most critical things I would like to state is on the continuous intimidation of students at MISR. For the students who were here in 2014, you will recall that, at a meeting where Prof. Mamdani was responding to a petition we had written to him, when I spoke against his responses, I was asked to SHUT UP AND SIT DOWN! Subsequently, emails were circulated where I was
called a prostitute who sleeps with teachers and students and I was continuously publicly scorned and harassed.

He has to date, never said anything on this issue, even though he was copied on all these emails.
When the president of the student union at MISR (who has also been very politically active) received an SSRC award, among 6 other candidates at MISR, Prof. Mamdani wrote to SSRC to say that the student has not completed his bibliography and consequently not got an approval to proceed with his comprehensive exams. In a show of open bias, Prof. Mamdani gave a glowing letter of recommendation to a student (who was also a recipient of the SSRC grant in the same class, who at the time had also not got an approval to proceed with his Comprehensive Exams.

After this incident, this student leader was asked to apologize in writing, and under serious pressure and intimidation from both Prof. Mamdani and Dr. Lyn Ossome, he did. Prof. Mamdani categorically told
him to his face that he is an adult and that he should know that there are consequences to his political actions! After this Dr. Lyn Ossome continued to pester this very student for an amendment of the apology, in effect, to apologize for all his political action at MISR. At this point, the student leader refused to do this! Not surprisingly, he was told that he has to re-write his whole bibliography and debates leading up to his comprehensive exams, even though, even a cursory reading of the available papers of the students in his class sent on email show clearly that his paper was in very good academic standing in comparison to others, that have been approved.

The third case is that of a student (Sabatho Nyamsenda) who has been politically active in the affairs of the student union as well as against the instances of injustice at MISR. There is a long thread of emails to this effect from January 2016, along with his other emails from 2014, which can be made available on request. The emails that he sent against the students who he said were abating injustice were used as the context for a letter that called him to a disciplinary hearing at MISR. You will note, of course, that another student, in August 2014, had written a letter to ONLY UGANDAN STUDENTS, calling all the NON-UGANDAN STUDENTS WOLVES and asking the Ugandan students to unite against them. If this is not a case of xenophobic provocation, then tell me, what is? However, to date, nothing has been said to this student, and in fact, he continues to enjoy high affiliations with the MISR academic board, as stated in his email.
Instead, on 8 February 2016, Sabatho was accused of 14 CRIMES emanating from his political involvement and public discussion through email with the MISR community. He was asked to respond IN WRITING to
these charges IN LESS THAN 24 hours, to plead GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY IN WRITING and informed that if he does not respond within this time he shall be rendered ‘liable for indefinite suspension from the university’. Not even in a court of law where someone is suspected of committing the most heinous of crimes is this kind of burden of proof placed on the suspect, or even, are the very same people who accuse
you the same ones who will convict you. Dr. Ossome wrote this letter as the chair of the Examination Irregularity and Appeals Committee (one that has no right to hold a disciplinary hearing) was to sit in
the hearing too! Because the student made a legal appeal, this prosecution was halted for a time.

Consequently, Prof. Mamdani and Dr. Lyn Ossome have also called Sabatho Nyamsenda to his office under the guise of an academic meeting (again, there are emails to this effect) and asked him to write a letter of apology, otherwise his job as a lecturer at Daresalaam university will be at stake, and that he will have a disciplinary hearing otherwise.

These are only a few of the cases, and I hope more students will be able to tell their story on the subjugation they have endured at MISR. What have we to say about the actions taken by this committee? What about the academic board? Are these not pure cases of bias, intimidation, discrimination and victimization of students? These are part of the reasons why there have to be investigations at MISR, on the moral authority and objectivity of Prof. Mamdani as well as his administrative assistants. I do agree with Prof. Mamdani, that no respecting academic will want to come to MISR if this situation continues, neither will any self respecting student want to apply to MISR when the conditions for your academic performance are based on your allegiance to Prof. Mamdani, and when injustice is the order of academic and consequently political operation.
What about the donors? This is a matter of great concern to many of the students whose livelihood through their scholarships is based on the continuous contribution of the donors. It would be pertinent at this point to hear from the donors, and their affiliation and contribution to the programme. Are these donations based on the person of Prof. Mamdani? Do they condone all his actions of injustice?

Typical to the administrative style of Prof. Mamdani as indicated on the last paragraph of his press release, he prescribes the approach that the university should take in reaction to Dr. Nyanzi, to MISR and to the students. Prof. Mamdani, it is not your prerogative to give the terms of the proceedings of a case that you are involved in. Such has been your practice at MISR, but this should cease.

The practice in public administration is that if there are genuine complaints of a public nature, an office bearer should step aside as investigations proceed. The action of stepping aside is fundamental to anti-prejudicial practice of public investigations. To avoid intimidation and distortion of evidence, we therefore ask that Prof.
Mamdani steps aside as investigations continue at MISR. We also ask that the offices that have shown bias in adjudicating MISR student cases, like that of the DVC Academic Affairs, and that of the Deputy Principal at CHUSS (who has reverted all cases of student dismissal back the Director of MISR, Prof. Mamdani) not be part of the committee that investigates the problems at MISR.

Prof. Mamdani clearly stated in his address to students in a meeting that the university is NOT A DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTION, but rather, a FUEDAL ONE. This public response was aired in a meeting where he was responding to a petition students had written to him in 2015, demanding representation on decision making boards at MISR. Does Makerere University agree with this approach? Do the donors uphold this approach? Do academics in the university and the public in general agree to this idea of the political structure of the university?

I therefore request, that an investigation into the problems at MISR by an unbiased team should continue, under the terms of that committee, and not those of Prof. Mamdani.
Long live MISR, long live Makerere University, and Long Live Democracy!
Aluta Continua!
Noosim Naimasiah
MISR student 5th year
Why the Management of Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR)
will not Cooperate with the...
The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. John Ddumba
Ssentamu, yesterday circulated a memo on the Makerere University
webmail setting up an Investigation Committee into MISR.
misr.mak.ac.ug

Page not found | Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR) - Makerere University

misr.mak.ac.ug

THE MOUTHPIECE: SAYING IT WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOUR