Former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi has vowed to defy Police on his planned upcountry Presidential consultations. Mbabazi who was addressing a Press conference at his Kololo residence that was aired live on NTV on Monday indicated that the Police has no power to stop his consultations adding that he had written to the Electoral Commission (EC), local government authorities and the police indicating that the consultations would be carried out in accordance with constitution.
“I’m a stickler to the rule of law. My team of lawyers have written to the police and Electoral Commission about my scheduled country wide consultations and we should have a meeting to harmonize the contentious areas because our rights and freedoms shouldn’t be interfered with or curtailed by the police” Mbabazi stated.
He added: I’m hoping that the Police will not come with their ‘Katemba’ to disrupt our consultative Meetings.
Mbabazi also agreed to the opposition’s idea of the Democratic Alliance adding that now is the time to put aside their differences and work for the common good. He also rubbished the Kyakwanzi resolution that popularized President Museveni’s sole candidature arguing that ring fencing positions is alien to the history of the NRM.
“Ring fencing positions in the NRM runs counter to the democratic principles that we fought for and democracy should start in our own house the NRM’’ he stressed.
Mbabazi also revealed that though the NRM has done great things for the country, it hadn’t achieved a peaceful transition of power and that the strong economic and fiscal policies the NRM has championed for the last 30 years are in danger of being eroded.
“People across the country are beginning to feel the tension about elections. There is a lot of anxiety among the investors that isn’t necessary at all. Change in Uganda has come after violence and this is what I want to end” he stressed.
He continued: It is time for Uganda to join nations like Tanzania that hold routine elections that aren’t characterized by fear and anxiety.
He promised to fight corruption, improve the quality of life of Ugandans and revive government institutions that are declining due to bad Governance.
The former NRM party Secretary General bashed his opponents within the party who have continuously labeled him a traitor who should be executed.
“My loyalty is absolute though not to individuals but to the people and constitution of the Republic of Uganda. I’m also loyal to the NRM revolutionary values that I fought for as a young man” he added.
He stressed: Traitors are those who rejected the values that we fought for during our armed struggle.
On whether he is still talks with the President, Mbabazi revealed that their friendship has endured through wars, peace and exile though he was quick to add that a yes Man is no friend.
“A true friend says not what his comrade wants to hear, but rather what he needs to hear” he said.
