{UAH} The Observer - An insider points at Mbabazi, Kadaga, but Bukenya not on list

http://www.observer.ug/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29836:an-insider-points-at-mbabazi-kadaga-but-bukenya-not-on-list&catid=34:news&Itemid=114

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The Observer - An insider points at Mbabazi, Kadaga, but Bukenya not on list

News

Sunday, 26 January 2014 23:14

Written by Alon Mwesigwa

In a revealing conversation, an NRM insider has said three people in the ruling party are being taken seriously as potential challengers to President Museveni  in 2016.

The three ambitious members, the cadre said, have complicated an already ticklish situation in the party.

"We have never had such a situation before," the NRM cadre said. "The situation in the party is tense. The party will [perhaps] sit and talk to them and they leave [Museveni to stand again]. We think this [2016-2021] will be his [Museveni's] last term," the official, a former MP and trusted NRM cadre, said.

The conversation happened last week when this official, who we have chosen not to name because he was not speaking on record, was travelling from Luweero to Kampala with two NGO officials. Although The Observer journalist was in the same vehicle, it seems the cadre was unaware.

This official, who often travels with Museveni, was in Luweero to talk to residents about the party's achievements. Asked by the NGO officials to name the politicians eyeing the president's seat, the cadre refused, but ultimately ruled out former VP Prof Gilbert Bukenya.

"Bukenya cannot rule Uganda and he knows it," the cadre said.

"The president knows about these people but he has not talked about them. The man [Museveni] has even started campaigning."

The cadre's description of the contenders fitted two of the usual suspects – Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi and, Speaker Rebecca Kadaga. While Mbabazi has said he has interest in the seat, he maintains he can only run if approved by the party. Kadaga has been asked by some members of the public to stand – but she has remained on the fence.

The NRM cadre added that Museveni did not want to leave power because he wants to first be sure that after leaving, his family and relatives would be protected.

"He knows it that he is old. But he has seen all the presidents we have had the way they have ended," the cadre said, adding: "Some [former presidents] have died in exile while others are buried there. Some have been arrested while others are poor."

Indeed, while presiding at the elevation of Finance Trust to a bank last week, Museveni said many had told him that he was old but he insisted that he was still energetic enough to lead the country.

Trusted army

The party cadre added that while the president kept the 1986 top army officers in the force, they were no longer in senior command positions.

"It is the unit that his son leads which is tasked with protecting the president," the cadre said. "Why do you think the president keeps the army in Parliament? He wants them to feel they have power and are in charge. If you just leave them out, they can become a [renegade Gen David] Sejusa."

The president's son, Brig Muhoozi Keinerugaba heads the Special Forces Command, in charge of the president's security. Uganda has 10 army representatives in Parliament, and a precedent was last year set, of making serving officers ministers. According to the NRM insider, this is done to make them feel included in the governing processes.

New MPs

This cadre also revealed that the NRM loves to have new MPs in Parliament because they are not likely to question the party's position and they talk less. New MPs just clap their hands, bang seats and are always there to vote for the party's position.

"The party wants MPs whom you ask to jump and they ask how high.The new MPs belong to that category," the cadre said. "The party is likely to support new MPs to come in than those seeking a third or fourth term. The more they stay [in Parliament], the more they become confident."

Some legislators are branded rebel MPs not because they are not disciplined but because they are ambitious and are looked at suspiciously.

"The rebel MPs read books. They ask questions and they are ambitious. The party doesn't want such MPs," the cadre said.

Last year, NRM expelled some of its vocal MPs, labelling them rebels for always opposing the party line. They included Theodore Ssekikubo (Lwemiyaga), Barnabas Tinkasiimire (Buyaga West), Muhammad Nsereko (Kampala Central), and Wilfred Niwagaba (Ndorwa East).

Beggars

The cadre  said NRM functionaries were tired of Ugandans because they have turned into all-time beggars – especially whenever they meet officials from the ruling party.

The moment Ugandans realise you are from NRM, the cadre lamented, they think you have money and they follow you until you give them money. This came after a number of youths in Luweero followed the cadre to the vehicle, asking for money, which the cadre claimed not to have.

"Even when it's Christmas, some people call you to ask for Christmas [gifts] and you wonder what they had been doing for the last 12 months to ask for Christmas from other people," the cadre said.
amwesigwa@observer.ug

The Observer - An insider points at Mbabazi, Kadaga, but Bukenya not on list
http://www.observer.ug/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29836:an-insider-points-at-mbabazi-kadaga-but-bukenya-not-on-list&catid=34:news&Itemid=114