{UAH} Uganda: Govt Moves On Bukenya, Recalls Car

Uganda: Govt Moves On Bukenya, Recalls Car

BY SADAB KITATTA KAAYA, 14 AUGUST 2013

Former Vice President Gilbert Balibaseka Bukenya has vowed not to drop his presidential bid despite what he sees as hostile reaction from the state. Bukenya told The Observer yesterday that the government was not only holding onto his privileges, but recently withdrew his official vehicle.

Bukenya says he is unfazed by what he described as state intimidation.

"Some people in my camp are being threatened; they are not threatened directly by the leadership or government but by hangers-on of the government, those that are looking for little money for their daily bread," he said.

Bukenya insisted that he would continue with plans to become president, repeating that he was in talks with various political players, including opposition politicians, on how to achieve his ambition. He also said he would not rule out a head-to-head race with President Museveni in the 2015 NRM primaries.

The former VP called for the disbandment of the Electoral Commission, arguing that it could never hold a free and fair election given its current composition.

"Before we go into the 2016 elections, we should have in place an interim independent electoral body with no connection at all to the executive," he said. "It should be composed of eminent Ugandans and peaceful donors to finance and control the elections."

Besides technical staff, the EC comprises commissioners who are appointed by the president but approved by Parliament. Bukenya, who served as vice president from 2003 to 2011, has since fallen out with the government although he remains an MP representing the ruling party.

Soon after he was dropped from cabinet, he was arrested and charged with offences related to the misuse of funds meant for the 2007 Commonwealth heads of state summit in Uganda. He was eventually acquitted but not before staying in Luzira Prison for a couple of days. Bukenya now says an official car allocated to him by virtue of his position as former Vice President was recently withdrawn under unclear circumstances.

The 8th schedule of Emoluments and Benefits of the President, Vice President and Prime Minister Act, which was passed by Parliament in 2009, entitles Bukenya to a monthly payment equivalent to 60% of his gross salary as a Vice President, Shs 300m (house purchase fund), a car and driver, medical care, two government paid security guards, a personal assistant and a Shs 700,000 monthly allowance to cater for electricity, water and telephone bills.

He is also entitled to two domestic staff, Shs 10m for furniture plus another Shs 5m for replacement of old furniture after five years. But Bukenya said none of these entitlements has ever been offered to him.

"They have withdrawn the vehicle which had been allocated to me, and I don't know its whereabouts but it doesn't concern me because I use my other vehicles," Bukenya said, without going into details.

"All the entitlements I'm entitled to as a former Vice President, none of them has ever been acted on ... so nobody should claim that he has ever given me anything," he added.

When contacted, government spokesman Ofwono Opondo said he was not aware of the withdrawal of Bukenya's official vehicle. He referred us to the ministry of Public Service. While deputy Prime Minister and minister of Public Service Henry Muganwa Kajura could not be reached for a comment, the junior minister Ssezi Mbaguta declined to comment.

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Gwokto La'Kitgum