{UAH} Besigye: I Quizzed Mbabazi on Fallout with Museveni

Besigye: I Quizzed Mbabazi on Fallout with Museveni

Col Kizza Besigye

By: Kim Aine

•  Sep 26,2015
•  1095 Viewed
• 4 Comments

Dr Kizza Besigye has spilled more secrets of his tense deliberations with his fellow presidential aspirant, Hon Amama Mbabazi, saying the former Premier's fallout with President Museveni was not based on the need to tackle issues of good governance and accountability but a mere quarrel.

"I asked Hon Mbabazi a straightforward question during our meetings. Hon Mao is here. I asked him 'what was the cause of your fallout with Mr Museveni?'" revealed Besigye.

Appearing on the popular Capital Gang radio show in Kampala on Saturday morning, Uganda's leading opposition leader said he was shocked by Mbabazi's response.

"Mbabazi told me that he fell out with Museveni because he (President) was undermining and fighting him," said Besigye.

The former FDC President further stated that Mbabazi also accused Museveni of "telling lies" and refusing to quit presidency in 2006 as earlier promised.

According to Besigye, Mbabazi said Museveni had promised to leave only to turn around and contest in the 2006 elections on grounds that he needed to finish unfinished business related with the East African integration.

Besigye said Mbabazi did not at any one time mention any of the vital issues related with the struggle for accountability and good governance; the need to check high levels of poverty and empowering people to determine their own destiny.

Besigye said basing on Mbabazi's response, he could not "take the risk" of allowing him to carry the flag of TDA which is fighting for freedom, respect of human rights and equitable distribution of resources.

He said there was no contradiction of Mbabazi's entrance into TDA but that, "The only contradiction is the flagship…that you are leading the struggle, that you are the face. Everybody must be scrutinised. I have been scrutinised. Leaders must be scrutinised."

Chimp Corps say the latest comments come at a time when Mbabazi is being accused of manipulating the TDA process to present himself as the coalition's flag-bearer.

Dishonesty

FDC spokesperson Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda made brief remarks during the talk show, condemning what he described as Mbabazi's "dishonesty".

He observed: "I didn't expect Mbabazi to accept nomination as TDA candidate when he knew it had collapsed. This kind of dishonesty drives me crazy."

However, Beti Kamya seconded Mbabazi's candidature saying, he appears to have the gravitas needed to overcome the obstacles of turning popularity into real victory.

She said Besigye has on several occasions tried to win presidency in vain and that someone better should be supported.

Besigye fired back, saying challenging what he called a 'dictatorship' was not a picnic.

"Those who tried to contest for presidency understand how unpleasant it is," said Besigye.

He singled out Kamya who he said had an operation in the middle of a presidential election campaign and that she is now returning to Rubaga to contest as an MP.

Mao is also expected to contest for MP in Gulu.

"You can't envy anyone who is leading opposition," said Besigye.

Opondo weighs in

In a twist of events, Besigye was backed by NRM's Ofwono Opondo who argued that the FDC candidate is in the 2016 presidential race for serious business.

He added: "Besigye is right to ask Mbabazi: 'what is your position on corruption; judicial systems…'"

Opondo concurred with Besigye that "we must deal with quislings in politics" in reference to Mao's conduct.

"What is Mbabazi taking to TDA? Is it electoral strength?" he wondered.

The government spokesperson said Mbabazi has a tainted record of electoral violence, citing a scenario where a man lost an eye at the hands of the brutality of Mbabazi's agents in the Kinkiizi West elections.

"This should be an issue for those fronting him," said Opondo.

He also challenged Mao to tell the country what he is bringing on the table considering the miserable performance of DP in previous elections.

In his conclusive remarks, Besigye blasted the Ugandan elite for spending time criticising what he calls a 'struggle', saying they should as well offer themselves to make Uganda a better place.

Besigye described as "insulting" the elite's claims that he is power hungry, adding, he could live anywhere on earth in comfort if he chose to do so.

 

He said standing several times against an incumbent should not be compared with someone clinging onto power for almost 30 years.