Talk in private, public tells Museveni, Kategaya
By Elias Biryabarema
Dec 31, 2003
|
KAMPALA � Some members of the public have deplored the current argument between President Museveni and his former comrade Eriya Kategaya. A big number of those we talked to about the sharp public differences emerging between the two men supported Kategaya but said that his criticism should not degenerate into personal attacks. �I agree with Kategaya,� said Mr Sam Njuba, the deputy chairman of the opposition Reform Agenda. �Any right thinking member of the public knows it�s Museveni pushing for the third term.� Writing in the Sunday papers, the President said that Kategaya was insulting him by suggesting that he (Museveni) initiated the third term debate for selfish aims. Museveni wrote in response to Kategaya�s recent remarks, the most critical yet, making clear that he opposed the third term idea. In the remarks on Monitor FM last week, Kategaya said that if Museveni ran again in 2006, he would support the President�s rival. �Kategaya, as a long time key figure of our politics, and inner member of the Movement in its ups and downs, should be given a keen ear by the President,� said Mr Sam Sekityo, a 55-year-old engineer in Kampala. However, Sekityo said it was not prudent for Kategaya to go public with his views. �It was better they talk privately together,� he said. Workers MP Charles Bakkabulindi agrees. �Since he is a historical he can get an opportunity for private discussion,� he said. Senior UPC official James Rwanyarare differed, saying that �in matters of public affairs there�s nothing private�. He said that Kategaya�s views are a result of bitter disillusionment. Said Rwanyarare: �He thought they were running a dynasty where Museveni would hand over to him and then he perhaps hands over to Mushega. He has seen it�s not happening and started claiming a moral high ground.� Ms Margaret Komugisha, a trader in Kampala, said that the sharp parting of ways between the two historicals could doom the Movement and the country�s post-2006 political stability. �Let Museveni listen to Kategaya and they reconcile,� she said. Museveni and Kategeya went to primary school through university together, and have been in the political struggle hand-in-hand for decades. Museveni dropped Kategaya from Cabinet in May. The move was widely seen as punishment for the former minister�s outspoken opposition to amend the Constitution, effectively clearing the way for Museveni to run for what is widely called the third term. |
� 2003 The Monitor Publications
Yahoo! Messenger - Communicate instantly..."Ping" your friends today! Download Messenger Now
