NRM historicals speak out on Mbabazi presidency bid

By Wesley Spartan

Senior members of the National Resistance Movement that brought the government to power in 1986 have weighed in on former prime minister Amama Mbabazi’s bid to stand against President Museveni in 2016 elections.

Some say both Mr Museveni and Mr Mbabazi have dominated Uganda’s political scene for “so long” and are now behaving like they are the only competent Ugandans to lead the country.

Others welcomed Mr Mbabazi’s decision to stand against his former close ally, but doubted he can defeat President Museveni.

The NRM deputy chairperson for central region, Hajj Abdul Nadduli, said the contest between Mr Mbabazi and the President is “a political foolery”.

Do they think this country belongs to them? It’s wealth which is disturbing them. They are now looking for how to spend their accumulated money. This country does not belong to those two. 

Uganda is not their shirt that they can remove it anytime and put it on again as they wish. Some of them have amassed wealth and they are now at self-actualisation. Why should it be Museveni-Mbabazi affair? Let them not fool us,” Mr Nadduli said. 

Mr Nadduli, who participated in the 1981-86 National Resistance Army (NRA) bush war, warned that Ugandans are carefully watching the situation and would not allow “the clash of egos of the two individuals” to cause problems in the country. 

Like Hajj Naduli, another bush war fighter Maj Gen Benon Biraaro, the former UPDF deputy chief of staff, said the media have made Ugandans to “falsely believe” that it’s either Mbabazi or Museveni who runs the country. 

It will be neither of the two after 2016,” said Maj Gen Biraaro, who is now president of the 0pposition Peace and National Unity party.
In a calculated tone, Maj Gen Matayo Kyaligonza, a bush war hero and now NRM vice chairman for Western Uganda, welcomed Mr Mbabazi’s presidential bid but pledged to support Mr Museveni.

It’s healthy for our party. Mbabazi is free to compete for any elective office in this country because he has been steadfast. We welcome his decision because this is democracy. I don’t care whether Mbabazi stands or not... I still support the President,” he said.

Maverick Brig Kasirye Ggwanga said Mr Mbabazi has a tainted image because he has been named in corruption incidents.

He is not impressive because of Temangalo and Chogm scandals. But let’s wait and see. It’s still too early to make judgments,” Brig Ggwanga said.

Maj Gen Jim Muhwezi, the Information minister, another bush war historical member, chided Mr Mbabazi for premature “electioneering” before the Electoral Commission announces the timetable for presidential campaigns.