{UAH} "You'll Not Destabilise My Gov't" - NOT THE PEOPLE'S GOVERNMENT BUT MUSEVENI'S
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8:20 PM |
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Museveni Warns NRM Youth: You'll Not Destabilise My Gov't
President Museveni has warned that whoever attempts to destabilise his government should prepare to face the might of the UPDF, officials said Thursday.
Museveni made the eyebrow-raising remarks while meeting the wrangling NRM youth factions at State House Entebbe on Tuesday.
"Let me warn you, I have spent a lot of time building this party (NRM). No one will cause chaos here. With this UPDF, I can finish you off in one day," charged Museveni at the heated meeting.
The President, who led a group of youthful guerrillas in the early 1980s to topple the government of President Milton Obote and the military Junta of the Okellos before taking over power in 1986, said he was so confident that his hold on power cannot be shaken by anybody.
"This UPDF you see here. This UPDF, we have built it. And I trust it," he added, as the youth looked on in shock.
Blow by blow
Sources, who attended the meeting aimed at reconciling the NRM youth leaders, said they first held small group gatherings on Monday morning at State House before meeting Museveni later in the evening.
"There was a plan to harmonise different positions of the warring NRM youth groups before meeting the President. However, when Museveni came to the hall, he briefed them for one hour and said he was too tiredto continue. He urged the youth to return on Tuesday afternoon," said a source.
Upon return, Museveni took two hours lecturing the youth on Pan Africanism, strategic bottlenecks derailing Africa's economic growth, the NRM ideology and benefits of regional integration.
Museveni later opened the floor for the youth to speak out their grievances but warned against selfishness.
Pro-Mbabazi mobilisers and Vice Chairperson for the NRM youth league for Northern Uganda; Omodo-Omodo did not waste time.
He told off President Museveni: "Your Excellency, I have told you so many times about my issues but you haven't sorted them out. I think that you hate me."
The comment sent ripples down the spines of NRM youth leaders and Museveni's Secretary Nakalema who was visibly uncomfortable with Omodo-Omodo's choice of words.
"Your Excellency," Omodo-Omodo went on, "In my culture, if you hate me, I also hate you. That's my point."
Sources say Omodo-Omodo was dropped from the list of Deputy RDC in 2010 and early this year.
"Omodo is frustrated because he doesn't have a job and feels he deserves the position of RDC. Twice he appeared on the list but was later removed for unknown reasons. He had even celebrated with friends at a bar in Kansanga," said a friend of the controversial youth leader.
"Since then, the man has been so bitter and determined to decampaign Museveni in all corners of the country."
Ego
Museveni did not immediately react to Omodo-Omodo's complaint but later in his address cautioned the youth against egocentricity.
"This culture of 'what about me, what about me?' has to stop. Leaders do not think about themselves but bettering the lives of the people they serve," advised Museveni.
Omodo-Omodo and Adam Luzindana recently embarked on a grassroot campaign to popularise Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi's alleged Presidential bid.
Mbabazi has consistently maintained he will not stand against Museveni in 2016 but quickly added that it is neither morally wrong nor illegal to harbour presidential ambitions.
But Museveni's strategists are yet to be convinced by Mbabazi's statements since his allies continue mobilisation.
During the State House meeting, the President clarified also that had it not been for his leniency, Omodo-Omodo and Luzindana would still be at Luzira Prison.
"I decided to let you free after meeting Hon Mbabazi here. Should anyone be arrested again for those acts, you will remain there (Luzira)," Museveni told the youth who were recently jailed for acts of bribery and abuse of office.
"No one will destabilise us. The UPDF is there," he added.
Besigye
The head-of-state further cautioned youth against speaking to the media on party issues. "Leave the media alone. Leave those papers."
Museveni also blasted former FDC leader Dr Kizza Besigye, saying he has no agenda for Uganda.
"I hear Besigye says I should go. What does he stand for? I stand for Pan Africanism and economic transformation ....what does Besigye stand for? What will he do when I have left?" he wondered.
Towards the end of the meeting, NRM Youth League Chairman, Dennis Namara said they had resolved to unanimously support Museveni in 2016 as the "party's supreme leader."
The NRM Youth League Publicity Secretary Alex Kaweesa would later urge "all those behind the President, put up your arms."
Only Omodo-Omodo and Luzindana snubbed Kaweesa's call.
Even at the Press conference at State House, it took the intervention of the Presidential communications assistant, Sarah Kagingo to plead with the duo to sit in front of the press instead of occupying the backseats.
Observers say Museveni usually employs the carrot and stick policy in dealing with political rivals, a trait that has enabled him retain power for decades.
It remains to be seen how he will react should Omodo and Luzindana press on with Mbabazi's campaigns.
On Thursday morning, the NRM youth were chauffeured to Rwakitura where Museveni is expected to sensitise them on poverty eradication schemes and benefits of commercial agriculture.
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