MPs attack Nsibambi over anti-Bidandi talk
By Mercy Nalugo
Some MPs from Kampala district yesterday attacked Prime Minister Apollo Nsibambi over his negative remarks about Minister of Local Government Jaberi Bidandi Ssali.The MPs: John Ken Lukyamuzi (Lubaga South) Michael Mabikke (Makindye East) Ssebuliba Mutumba (Kawempe South) and Nsubuga Nsambu (Makindye West) were addressing a news conference at Parliament.
They attacked Nsibambi and called him a political sycophant whom government is using a puppet.
Nsibambi was quoted in the state-owned New Vision Thursday saying Bidandi was politically undisciplined for igniting the debate on President Uyoweri Museveni�s succession (see story: Bidandi Ssali Indisciplined, Says Nsibambi, The New Vision Jan. 23). Nsibambi was further quoted saying Bidandi was seeking cheap popularity in discussing Museveni�s successor.
�You know in government there are three categories of people; the sycophant, puppets and stooges. The Prime Minister is playing both the sycophant and the puppet positions,� Mabikke said.
Bidandi recently said that Ugandans should stop agitating for a third term for the president because it would set a bad precedent for future leaders who may wish to change the constitution for their benefit.
�Minister Bidandi�s ideas are encompassing and nationalistic,� Mabikke further said.
Lukyamuzi said Nsibambi is running out of political ideas.
�If a whole minister can utter such words, one wonders which direction this country is going. Bidandi�s revelations are gaining momentum and Minister of Foreign Affairs James Wapakhabulo is in open support of Bidandi,� Lukyamuzi said.
Wapakhabulo was quoted in The Monitor saying it�s healthy to discuss Museveni�s succession (see story: Wapa Eyes Presidency, The Monitor Jan. 23).
�He is a bread winner and has gone far beyond what we expected of him. But one day he will say sorry,� Nsambu warned Nsibambi.
Mutumba said he was dismayed by Nsibambi�s remarks about Bidandi.
�The other time a whole minister was wondering wha! t he wil l eat if president Museveni left power. Eating is spoiling people. The educated ones who are well off are the greedy ones,� he said.
The MPs called on people to demonstrate public support for a federal system of governance on Feb. 28 when Buganda Kingdom government will submit its memorandum on the federal system to the Constitutional Review Commission.
January 24, 2003 10:53:35
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