Museveni should go in 2006 - Rukikaire-Monitor 7/02/2003
By Richard M. Kavuma & Alex B. Atuhaire
Another historical member of the Movement has said President Yoweri Museveni should respect the present Constitution and stand down in 2006.Matthew Rukikaire, from whose home the National Resistance Army (NRA) bush-war was launched, has opposed calls for a constitutional amendment to allow Museveni a third term.
Rukikaire is a former Constituency Assembly delegate and MP for Kabula South, Rakai. He also served as state minister for Finance. He has since retired from elective politics.
Rukikaire said Thursday that the Movement and all people of goodwill shouldn�t consider the third term issue.
He speaking on the premier talk show, Andrew Mwenda Live on 93.3 Monitor FM.
�Those people are somewhat politically indisciplined,� Rukikaire said referring to the third term proponents.
�Let us respect this Constitution which has been painfully developed.�
Rukikaire joins ministers Jaberi Bidandi Ssali (Local Government) and Eriya Kategaya (Internal Affairs) who have called for a debate on pluralism.
Bidandi warned that agitating for a third term for Museveni sets a bad precedent.
It was from Rukikaire�s house at Makindye in Kampala that a truckload of the National Resistance Army (NRA) pioneers left to attack Kabamba on February 6, 1981.
Recalling the incident 22 years on the day, Rukikaire said he had sent his wife and children abroad three days earlier to free the house for the fighters.
Rukikaire firmly said that now is the time for an open debate on opening up Uganda to multi-partyism.
He said the Movement should constitute itself into a political party and fairly compete for power with others.
�My views are clear,� he said.
�My clear inclinations are towards opening up and having a pure pluralistic society. I would stand up to be counted.�
He said this would be the best way to galvanise the Constitutional Movement into a political one.
Rukikaire disagreed with exiled former presidential candidate col. K! izza Bes igye who said last year that Uganda was ripe for war.
He said there may be problem areas but these could be rectified without reverting to war.
�I would like to have an open debate with Besigye to see if he can convince me that we are ripe for war,� he said.
February 07, 2003 11:28:02
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