By Richard M. Kavuma
June 12, 2003
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The former deputy Prime Minister Eriya Kategaya has said that President Yoweri Museveni is behind the proposal to amend the Constitution to remove term limits on presidential tenure. Mr Museveni asked the Movement's National Executive Committee meeting in March to lift term limits for any president. Mr Museveni says that he does not want the so-called 'third term' for himself but for any future president. But Mr Kategaya, who was also the minister for Internal Affairs until he was dropped last month, does not buy into the president's argument. "That was ingenious but not correct," Mr Kategaya said on Tuesday. Mr Kategaya was speaking on the WBS Television show, Issues at Hand. He wondered how the then minister for the Presidency Gilbert Bukenya could campaign for the third term without the blessing of President Museveni. Mr Bukenya, appointed vice-president in the reshuffle that saw Mr Kategaya dropped, said recently that he was the one who started the third term campaign. Mr Kategaya was one of the three key ministers who had openly opposed Mr Museveni's attempts to remain in power beyond 2006, when the president's second elective term expires. The President sacked all three (Mr Kategaya, Ms Miria Matembe and Mr Bidandi Ssali) in the 23 May cabinet reshuffle. Looking relaxed in a flowered shirt, Mr Kategaya said that he might consider standing for president if the people so wished. "It is not for me to say that 'let me stand for president' or not. If people say so, then we can discuss it," he said. "It depends what comes out. If I find it necessary, I'll stand: if not I won't." Mr Kategaya also defended the bishops' right to guide their congregations on political issues. The bishops, as leaders of people and citizens of Uganda, have a stake in the affairs of the country, he said. President Museveni on Saturday warned bishops against getting involved in politics. This was after the bishops from all mainstream churches urged Mr Museveni to abandon his plans to amend the Constitution. Mr Kategaya, however, declined to answer questions whether he was 'in' or 'out' of the Movement. "I have not said 'I am out'," was all he said. For his last word on the show, Mr Kategaya said: "Let us remember that Uganda is bigger than any of us." The security and peace of Ugandans should prevail over personal interests, he added. |
� 2003 The Monitor Publications
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