Third term small matter - Museveni
By Alex B. Atuhaire
President Yoweri Museveni Saturday again refrained from saying definitively whether or not he will seek a third term if the constitution was amended to allow that action."I cannot allow myself to be part of the speculation. That�s why I give a clear answer," he said while speaking on Capital FM�s Capital Gang talkshow.
"I shall follow the constitution, that�s clear enough. Let's first get the direction in which to move," Museveni said.
The Monitor's Chief-Sub-Editor, Bernard Tabaire, who is one of the show�s panelists specifically asked Museveni to say if he would not stand in 2006.
Museveni continues to speak in general term that he will �respect the constitution�.
Tabaire also wanted to know if Museveni would stand or not in the event that the constitution is amended to allow a third term for president. The question of whether he will seek re-election continues to pervade political discussion.
Museveni, who was speaking on phone from his Gulu base, said that talk about whether he should contest for a 3rd term was a "small matter" which should be dropped for more serious issues.
"This question of leadership, who leads is a smaller matter, a smaller matter indeed. The bigger question is who leads in what direction," he said.
Museveni's last of the two 5-year constitutional terms expires in 2006, subject to findings of the Constitutional Review Commission.
Speculation is rife that the Commission may come up with a position that Ugandans want the president to stay on for another term, which may lure him into overstaying.
Museveni warned former presidential candidate Col. Kizza Besigye against causing trouble in the country.
"It would be criminal for Besigye to create problems for his country. We have developed enough infrastructure to deal with any threat. There should be no worry," he said.
Museveni said Besigye is free to return to the country.
"There is no problem if he wants to return unless he has committed a crime as an individual! . His pe ople are here. Betty Kamya is here with her office, Sam Njuba is here so what is the problem?" he asked.
"Besigye cannot create problems here. If he does, he will be doing a big mistake," he said.
Museveni said that Joseph Kony, leader of LRA rebels was now a fugitive and was near his end.
"We are going to see off Kony for sure. That why I did not go for Christmas, I did not want to give him a chance," he said.
The President last year moved his base to Gulu to oversee army operations against the rebels who have caused havoc for the last 16 years.
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January 05, 2003 03:56:34
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