By Wesley Spartan
KAMPALA.
Ministers at the weekend came out to slam former prime minister Amama Mbabazi, who declared his presidential bid mid-month, as unsuitable for the topmost office.
Ministers David Bahati (Planning), Muruli Mukasa (Gender) and Evelyne Anite (Youth) while addressing separate gatherings questioned Mr Mbabazi’s public service record.
“Mbabazi is not the change Ugandans want,” Mr Bahati told journalists after a fundraising at the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church in Najjanankumbi, a Kampala suburb, on Saturday.
The minister was in the company of Youth and Children Affairs minister, Evelyn Anite, NRM national treasurer Rosemary Namayanja, Kampala Central MP Muhammed Nsereko and Col Fred Bogere. A total of Shs30m was raised towards the purchase of land to expand the church premises.
Mr Mbabazi on June 15 released a video “My declaration” on YouTube, signaling his aspiration for the office of President. “It is abundantly clear that what Ugandans want now - what you want is not simply change in leadership but change of systems,” Mr Mbabazi said in his declaration.
But Mr Bahati said the former NRM secretary general has been part of the ruling party and is only trying to take advantage of the system.
“Ugandans need the change that President Museveni has brought in the economy, infrastructure, welfare and livelihood, and not taking advantage of the system,” Mr Bahati said.
However, Ms Josephine Mayanja Nkangi, Mr Mbabazi’s spokesperson said there are many inaccuracies in Mr Bahati’s argument.
“Mr Mbabazi was a prime minister for a few years but the NRM government has been here for 30 years. Therefore, he (Mbabazi) cannot be blamed for failing to bring reforms,” she said.
Yesterday, there was an assemblage of security forces and operatives deployed heavily along the Kampala-Entebbe highway and nearby suburbs, in anticipation of Mr Mbabazi’s return from abroad.
Mr Mbabazi was expected to arrive at Entebbe International Airport by 1pm on Sunday but had not returned by press time.
Right from Kibuye, on Entebbe Road, a contigent of regular police officers, Anti-riot police, Counter Terrorism personnel, Military Police and Traffic Police officers were deployed at every junction.
In a statement released on Saturday, Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura warned that a group of people planned to ferry people on Kampala-Entebbe highway on Sunday for a motive he described as unlawful.
Meanwhile, Youth Minister Ms Anite (Youth) while addressing residents of Kayunga at Kiwangula Primary School in Busaana Sub-county on Friday questioned Mr Mbabazi’s leadership credentials and tagged Mbabazi as a mere ‘conductor’.
“Our party chairman president Yoweri Museveni is still strong so we should give him more time to be in control of our bus. How can you give someone who has been a conductor to drive you when an experienced driver who has been in control of the bus for about 30 years is still around?”Anite asked.
Gender minister Muruli Mukasa who was attending the national governance conference when tasked by youth to explain why the ruling party loathes handing over power after 30 years said: “We shall quit when we shall quit and what will make us quit is the system.
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