By Ssemujju Ibrahim Nganda
April 2, 2003
The Movement National Executive Committee sitting at National Leadership Institute Kyankwanzi on 26-28 March and Movement National Conference at the International Conference Centre, Kampala were willing to give Mr Museveni even what he had not asked for. Or had he?
Officially, he wanted the Defence budget increased. They overwhelmingly supported him. He wanted to free political parties; nobody refused. When he spoke of lifting the two-term limits for a president he got more than he had bargained for: He had wanted a committee appointed to look into the matter, but the delegates preferred not to waste valuable time. He could have it.
NEC and NC delegates speak
- I love you Mr President and you are the only who can solve the problems of Karamoja. The people still love you – Mr John Roberts Rex Aachila, MP for Jie County on third term.
- The people of Lira want the Movement to remain the only system and they want you to rule forever — Mr Sam Engola (Movement chairman, Lira district).
- How come we keep losing to [Cecilia] Ogwal in Lira? Mr Engola responds by saying that the opposition rigs elections — Mr Museveni.
- Your Excellency, you should leave power when you are still loved. I love and that is why I am telling you. I don’t fear you and I must tell you the truth. The Movement is no longer the original one. It was good for the first nine years but it degenerated with the 1996 elections. Kalangala Action Plan was there terrorising people in Mbarara and I had to ring Lt. Gen. Salim Saleh and other top military officers. There is violence now and corruption.
It is we who are corrupt. There is lack of political will at the highest level to fight corruption. Parliament censures ministers and you appoint them to key positions. We don’t respect institutions.
When we are moving against corrupt people they appeal to you. I am now moving against a corrupt district chairman. Don’t intervene.
You should retire as a statesman. I don’t want the Constitution to be changed. You must relinquish power when people still love you — Ms Miria Matembe, Minister for Ethics and Integrity.
- Some people are life MPs but they don’t want us to lift the term limit — Mr Bwambale Rujumba on behalf of UPDF veterans.
- A good leader doesn’t have an expiry date — Mr Nasser Shaft Mukwaya, Youth representative.
Our view was to remain with the Movement as the only system but since some members said we open up, political parties be given freedom but via a referendum.
On third term: It should be open and let the people decide who to lead them through the vote — Ms Agnes Obbo, National Women Council.
'The Movement is like a river. It is like the road coming from Jericho and Jerusalem. We don’t want a limited term of office especially for you. We want you to continue, we shall give you. What about Democratic Party (DP) how long has Ssemogerere been there? The 17 years are like three years — Rev. Fr. Peter Matovu.
The term limit should be open after all there is an article which talks about the age limit — Ms Florence Nayiga Ssekabira, PWD.
The ban on parties should be lifted and Movement should left solid to compete with parties. The limit to presidential terms should be removed for the masses to decide — Mr Santo Opio, private sector/business community.
I helped all these parties from the 1940s. You are a wonderful military man. If I compare you with Amin, I give 95% and Amin 75%. Mr Bidandi Ssali and Mr Kirunda Kivejinga were expelled from UPC when they were youth. If there are people advocating for parties the two should not — Mzee Daniel Odeke. The old man received not only Mr Museveni’s handshake but the greatest applause and won a smile from First Lady Janat Kataha
** Some people call the third term a sad term but we still need your guidance – Ms Namayanja Mariam Kiwanuka, Movement Media Mobilisation (ebimeeza) group.
You have succeeded in taming the army, which had become an uncontrolled beast. I congratulate you upon making the army a professional one not of thugs and thieves.
Multiparty supporters should not be allowed to form a coalition like NARC in Kenya — Mr Godfrey Binaisa, former president.
© 2003 The Monitor Publications
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