| I�m ready to take on Museveni - Kategaya | ||
| By Solomon Muyita & Mwanguhya Chales Mpagi | ||
|
KAMPALA � Former Foreign Affairs Minister Mr Eriya Kategaya said yesterday he was ready to challenge President Yoweri Museveni in next year's presidential elections if the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) nominates him.
But Mr Kategaya also warned that the country would see a repeat of the crisis that followed Milton Obote's abrogation of the independence Constitution if the current "manipulation" to amend the 1995 Constitution continues. "I am not afraid to stand against Museveni," Kategaya said while appearing on Kfm's Sunday Straight to the Point talk show hosted by Desree Barlow. "If there is an organisation that says, 'come and lead us,' I will," Kategaya said. "The question of fearing Museveni, that one you should forget." Kategaya, also the former First Deputy Prime Minister, fell out with Museveni in 2003 after the president and his cabinet pushed a proposal to amend the Constitution and lift presidential term limits. Kategaya, who is now one of FDC's envoys, has since maintained that the no-term limits campaign was meant to pave the way for a third Museveni presidency under the new Constitution. The man who was for long widely considered Museveni's number two criticised the president for seeking to shift goal posts by manipulating the Constitution with a desire to stay in power. He said Museveni should not keep the country speculating about his intentions. Such speculation could lead to unrest, Kategaya added. Museveni said in his 2001 campaign manifesto that he was standing for his last term in office, having ruled from 1986. According to the Constitution the President can serve only two five-year terms in office, a provision the government opposes now. Museveni has not stated unequivocally that he will contest next year's elections, although it is widely believed that he will, if presidential term limits are lifted. Kategaya said the current manipulation of Parliament to endorse constitutional amendments, especially the clause to delete presidential term limits, was similar to that of Milton Obote who used Parliament to entrench himself in power. "I think we shall have a similar situation like we had in 1966," Kategaya said. Kategaya said the proposal to amend Article 105(2) of the Constitution to lift the presidential term limits was originally not one of the issues for constitutional review. "I am reliably informed that this is an import by this government to enable Museveni to stand," he said. Kategaya criticised the NRM's idolisation of Museveni. |
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