|
NEW VISION - 11TH OCTOBER 2003
I may stay in power if pushed � Museveni
By Anne Mugisa
President Yoweri Museveni has said that those agitating for his early retirement should show what vision they have for the development of the country and Africa.
Museveni, who was reacting to questions from East African lawyers, said he may change his mind about retirement because agitators make him believe they are only interested in taking turns at leadership instead of facing real issues.
The President was speaking at the annual meeting of East African lawyers at Entebbe.
�The more you talk about my staying in power the more I may change my mind about leaving because it makes me wonder as to why you are interested in my leaving yet you are not showing a vision for the future,� Museveni said.
�People are only talking about their turn instead of articulating the vision for Uganda. The issue is not turns or chances, the issue is the future for Africa.
�We are not interested in turns, we are talking about the vis
ion for
Uganda and Africa. All you hear is the turn for so and so and the turn for so and so.
�The problem is not my retirement because I can do it anytime. The problem is the vision and challenges...,�
He said Africa�s problem has been its intellectuals and its leaders who are not critical of what is pushed down on them by the rest of the world.
He said he wrote the letter for which he has been accused of betraying Africa during the World Trade Organisation meeting in Cancun, Mexico.
He said he was opposed to lifting of the trade quota which India and China enjoy in December next year because Africa will lose even the little that it has.
Museveni said the more developed nations in the Third World like China and India will swamp the international market and Africa will not stand a chance.
�Those who are saying Museveni has betrayed Africa, my instructions are in writing and signed by me, we shall see who has betrayed Africa. I want the
quotas
to stay until 2008. I will be tried by history, to judge who is a traitor and who isn�t,� he said.
He said globalisation should force Africa into regional integration so that they can have blocs with bargaining power.
Ends
Published on: Saturday, 11th October, 2003 |
|
Email this article to a friend |
Do you Yahoo!?
The New Yahoo! Shopping - with improved product search
