Rugunda discusses Museveni-Mbabazi rift in the US

By Wesley Spartan

Prime minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda recently met the Ugandan community in Boston where he discussed his predecessor’s alleged presidential bid and President Yoweri Museveni’s succession and the development back home. The two issues emerged during a question and answer session, minutes after the premier addressed the gathering on the state of development in Uganda, at a town-hall meeting at Boston Marriott Newton on May 26.
Dr Rugunda had made a stop in Boston after attending the Bamasaba and Twegaite community conventions in Washington, DC and Minneapolis respectively. Although well attended, some community members skipped the meeting, viewing it as part of the ruling NRM’s campaign strategy to make inroads into Boston, the largest diaspora constituency, ahead of the 2016 general election.
On the issue of the rift between Museveni and former premier Amama Mbabazi, Rugunda dismissed media reports of a plan to appoint Mbabazi as vice president so he could drop his undeclared presidential bid. When asked about the social media rumour that there was a plan to arrest his predecessor, Rugunda reminded the gathering that no Ugandan was above the law if one engaged in activities that contravened the laws of the land. He however added that he did not think and see why Mbabazi would be facing imminent arrest.
On Museveni’s succession, the prime minister said that it was up to Ugandans to use their vote to determine the outcome of the next election, reminding his listeners of Museveni’s achievements and that “he has not reached the legal age limit of 75”.
DO NOT TAKE PEACE FOR GRANTED
Rugunda reminded his audience of Uganda’s turbulent past and how LRA rebel leader Joseph Kony was now defeated, rendering northern Uganda largely peaceful. He also pointed to the defeat of Allied Democratic Front (ADF), a rebel outfit that had operated in the Rwenzori Mountains under the leadership of the recently-arrested Jamil Mukulu.
Citing the ongoing conflict in South Sudan where towns oscillate between rebels and government, Rugunda reminded those present “not to take this peace for granted”.
He praised the sacrifice of the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) for flushing Al Shabaab, extremists out of Mogadishu and the surrounding towns, rendering the country peaceful.
INFRASTRUCTURE
On infrastructure, Rugunda outlined the projects the country was undertaking, reiterating government’s commitment to construct feeder roads to cover the entire country.
“Areas considered inaccessible with longer travel times in the past are now easily within reach,” he said.
Rugunda said government planned to construct an international airport in Hoima district, located in the oil-rich Albertine region as a way of opening up the region for trade and investment. He also outlined power projects that government was currently undertaking, expressing optimism that “Uganda was now working toward an independent power sector with Bujagali now operational and Karuma soon to join the grid as well, producing 600 megawatts of power”. He added: “With the help of our American friends, geothermal energy is another area that is slowly but steadily growing in Uganda.”
On healthcare, Rugunda revealed that government planned to build an international hospital at Lubowa. He was full of praise for private healthcare providers, particularly Dr Ben Mbonye of Nakasero Hospital and Dr Ian Clarke of the International Hospital Kampala (IHK) for their contribution in bridging the gap in the health sector.
The premier announced president Museveni’s plans to visit the Boston community in September. Dr Rugunda assured the Ugandan community in Boston that he would follow up the demand to have a consulate in the town with the biggest concentration of Ugandans in North America.