{UAH} Amama: Museveni uses and dumps -museveni the user

Amama: Museveni uses and dumps

Written by EDRIS KIGGUNDU & MARK BAGUMA

Last Updated: 15 July 2015

Amama Mbabazi with President Museveni

NRM presidential aspirant meets youths, draws campaign strategy

NRM presidential aspirant Amama Mbabazi has warned a group of NRM youths allied to him to be wary of working with President Museveni, his former ally, who he seeks to replace as president in next year's general election.

Speaking to the youths on July 13 at his country home in Kihiihi, Kanungu district, a day after the burial of his elder brother Enock Bahemurwabusha, the former prime minister and NRM secretary general, urged them to stick with him, saying President Museveni cannot be trusted to take Uganda to the next level.

"We cannot afford to have a president who is not honest in his dealings. He only deals with people just for convenience and, after, he dumps them," Mbabazi reportedly told the youths who belong to an organisation named NRM Poor Youth Forum.

"As youths, you should be careful when dealing with him [Museveni]," Mbabazi added.

The youths who attended the meeting include Thomas Kategere, Adam Buyinza Luzindana, Isa Kato and Shakur Walusimbi. Kato and Luzindana in separate interviews confirmed attending the meeting but declined to reveal what was talked about.

It was the first time Mbabazi was using fairly- strong language publicly to describe Museveni, a comrade of 43 years before the two fell out last year over the former's presidential ambition. Sources that attended the meeting told us that Mbabazi spoke with a lot of conviction in his voice. His wife, Jacqueline, attended only part of the meeting, the sources said.

Last month, Mbabazi declared he would seek to become president of Uganda in next year's election. However, the state has not reacted kindly to his declaration. Last week he was stopped by police in Njeru, just outside Jinja town, as he made his way to Mbale –on the first leg of his eastern tour to consult NRM delegates.

He was detained at Kira Road police station in Kampala for 12 hours. With the death of his brother, which came on the day he spent in police detention, Mbabazi suspended his consultation meetings and went to Kanungu for the funeral.

In the meeting, Mbabazi reportedly told the youths that Museveni had "used and dumped" people like Jaberi Bidandi Ssali, Aggrey Awori and Omara Atubo because he feared a possible challenge from them.

Mbabazi also said that many people in key state institutions such as the army are frustrated with Museveni's leadership. He cited the example of Gen David Sejusa, the former coordinator of intelligence services, who has now turned into a harsh critic of the establishment.

At the same meeting, Mbabazi also signaled he may run on another ticket other than NRM. He said he doubted the NRM election for a presidential flag bearer would be free and fair. He also said he had been treated harshly by the police and some senior party members.

STRATEGIES

A significant part of the three-hour meeting with the youths was dedicated to discussing strategies required to take on Museveni. Sources told us that the meeting agreed that the NRM Poor Youth Forum should embark on massive recruitment of poor youths in all villages across the country. Sources said Mbabazi asked the youths to draw up a detailed programme that could be funded.

Luzindana, who is back in the Mbabazi fold after a period of hobnobbing with Museveni, reportedly told the former premier that their target is to register at least four million people by October. These people, Luzindana said, will work as mobilisers of Mbabazi's bid.

It was also agreed that football tournaments dubbed Amama Mbabazi Football Tournament be organized in all districts. All the teams participating in the tournaments are to be fully facilitated while the winning team would benefit from startup capital in addition to trophy.

The NRM Poor Youth Forum members further agreed to organize wealth creation meetings in all districts to discuss measures to boost people's incomes and productivity. There was also a suggestion that a youth brigade be formed to counter the paramilitary groups associated with Museveni.

Mbabazi, however, warned that this could lead to more violence.
 
NO SURRENDER

In another meeting with his supporters at his Kihiihi home on Monday, Mbabazi said it is unfortunate that the government is using state machinery to persecute him.

"Even if the government arrests me daily, I will continue with my aspirations and since the ideas are already out, nobody is going to block them at all," Mbabazi said.

As a lawyer, Mbabazi added, he will follow the laws of Uganda but warned individuals who are being used to persecute him that time will catch up with them sooner rather than later. Mbabazi also lashed out at the courts for sitting on many important cases.

"I know of many cases which court has not handled and when time comes I will take up the matter with them," he said.

Mbabazi further said he will continue with his countrywide consultations irrespective of the risks and launch a manifesto that will detail the new initiatives he intends to implement as president. Speaking at the same function, Kanungu district LC-5 chairperson Josephine Kasya said the people of Kanungu are ready to be united in support of the change that is coming.

"We must remain united because if we get divided, other regions will take advantage," she said.

The Kanungu district youth chairman, Andrew Agaba, said the youth in Kanungu have already resolved to rally behind Amama Mbabazi. This meeting was chaired by Ally Rugomwa, a prominent NRM supporter in the district.

Reacting to the events in Kanungu, Frank Tumwebaze, the minister for the Presidency, said in an email message that Mbabazi should stop peddling lies about the president.

He said: "If Mbabazi is running out of what to tell the people, then he should just keep quiet. We all know that Museveni has mentored many people including Mbabazi; who has Mbabazi ever mentored?" 

--
Disclaimer:Everyone posting to this Forum bears the sole responsibility for any legal consequences of his or her postings, and hence statements and facts must be presented responsibly. Your continued membership signifies that you agree to this disclaimer and pledge to abide by our Rules and Guidelines.To unsubscribe from this group, send email to: ugandans-at-heart+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com or Abbey Semuwemba at: abbeysemuwemba@gmail.com.