Third term might cause crisis - Ssemo
By Ignatius Ssuuna
June 21, 2004
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KAMPALA � The Democratic Party (DP) has warned of a political crisis and a possible military coup if President Yoweri Museveni is allowed a third term. Mr Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere, the DP President General, said by calling for Museveni�s return after 2006, pro-third term advocates were creating an impression that peaceful transition of leadership in Uganda could only be attained through violent means. He was addressing DP delegates at a planning workshop at Pope Paul Memorial Community Centre in Lubaga on Saturday. �It is not only DP working against the third term project, but even the army oppose it secretly. If Ugandans become obsessed with the third term, those who don�t want it in government may be forced to think of a coup as the last alternative,� Ssemogerere warned. Ssemogerere�s allegations about the military could not be independently confirmed. He said Ugandans had given Museveni enough time to change leadership peacefully, but many people had given up hope with the recent events that attempt to amend the Constitution to hand Museveni life presidency. �Many people say Museveni�s time was up. If he plays his bad tricks and comes back, some people may become impatient and become violent,� Ssemogerere said. The workshop was aimed at examining the life of the DP with a view to identifying challenges and opportunities, which confronted the party in the past 15 years. Ssemogerere said Museveni had done despicable things to Ugandans and they should punish him by denying him votes. He cautioned Ugandans against endorsing dictatorship in the country. He said Museveni�s attempt to amend Article 105 [2] through a referendum demonstrates that the democratisation process promised by the Movement government had always been an illusion. �Now who says Museveni is different from Amin or Obote? They both tried to tamper with the Constitution,� Ssemogerere wondered. �I pity those who wear banana leaves (ebisanja). They will cause this country untold suffering,� Ssemwogerere said. The leaves have become a symbol for the supporters of the third term. Ssemogerere alleged that people who demand for the third term were bought by State House to justify Museveni�s comeback and deceive Ugandans that he was still popular. He warned that the higher the level of opposition to the third term, the higher the level of oppression and repression. |
� 2004 The Monitor Publications
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