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KAMPALA � Mr Eriya Kategaya has said he will
actively oppose the candidature of Mr Yoweri Museveni, if the
President seeks another term in 2006.
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| Mr Kategaya appearing on the Andrew Mwenda show last
evening (Photo by John
Nsimbe). | Kategaya, a
former first deputy prime minister, a childhood friend and political
ally of Museveni for five decades, said he will openly support a
rival to Museveni should the President run in the 2006
election.
Kategaya, who was appearing on Andrew Mwenda Live show on
93.3 Monitor FM last evening, said he cannot rule out running
against Museveni for the presidency in 2006 �if people ask [him] to
stand�.
A
relaxed Kategaya said Museveni chaired a Cabinet meeting that
endorsed the third term.
�I have
the circumstantial evidence that Museveni is behind the third term.
He chaired the Cabinet meeting that endorsed the third term,�
Kategaya said last evening.
�The
Prime Minister, Prof. Apolo Nsibambi, had chaired the Cabinet a week
before Nsibambi then said that Museveni would chair the next meeting
that would endorse the third term,� Kategeya said.
Kategaya, a former first deputy prime minister, was dropped
in the last Cabinet reshuffle.
He has
been a strong critic of Museveni�s attempts to amend the
Constitution to remove term limits on the presidency.
The
move, dubbed the �third term project�, is seen by critics as
tailored to keep the incumbent at the helm as long as he
wishes.
The
removal of the term limit on the presidency was among a host of
proposals the Cabinet submitted to the Constitutional Review
Commission last October.
Kategaya said he was shocked to learn that Museveni intended
to manipulate the Constitution for selfish interests.
�At
times if people sing so many praises for you, you may think that you
are indispensable. I am looking at the history of this country. The
leadership in the past has never been trusted. If Museveni amends
the Constitution, it will be the same old cycle,� he
said.
�As
revolutionaries we shall be taken as selfish. I don�t think my
colleague should fall in that pit,� he said.
Kategaya said he will feel betrayed if Museveni seeks
re-election in 2006.
Kategaya dismissed claims that the country
cannot do without Museveni.
�That
is absolutely rubbish. I don�t see the rationale that if he goes we
shall have insecurity,� he said.
Kategaya said political turmoil is a result of lack of
strategic planning.
�We
only think of the daily bread not the future. Africa should move out
of this cocoon where the country depends on an individual,� he
said.
He said
he would respect the results of the referendum on the third
term.
�If it
is free and fair, whoever wins it, so be it,� he said. However he
promised to campaign against the third term if it is put to a
referendum.
He said
Museveni could remain Movement chairman in a multi party system and
play an important role. He, however, said the Movement should field
another presidential candidate.
Kategeya rubbished a caller who proposed that Museveni should
stay on until 2011 to complete his set goals.
Kategaya said that Museveni promised to finish his work and
hand over power peacefully in the 2001 election manifesto. �That
argument is self�serving. If I set out to do my work within a time
frame and don�t finish it, I should know that time is up,� he
said.
Kategaya also said he does not believe that one man can have
a vision for the country as Museveni claims.
�A
one-man vision is not a vision; I don�t believe him,� he said. �A
vision must be shared. I think it should be a Movement vision not
his.� | 
