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President meets US & EU envoys President Yoweri Museveni has said that he is very happy with the outcome of the just concluded referendum. He said this today at his Rwakitura home in Mbarara district while briefing the US Ambassador and 3 European Ambassadors on a number of issues. The President told the US Ambassador Mr. Jimmy Kolker and the Ambassadors of Norway Mr. Tore Gjos, Mrs. Yoke Brandt of the Netherlands and Deputy British High Commissioner Mr. Charles Hamilton that the victory of the YES side represented a decision by the people of Uganda. He said the option of using Parliament to change the political system would have greatly offended the majority of the people of Uganda. He dismissed any suggestion that the turn-up was very low or that the people boycotted adding that the constitution allows a person to vote or not to vote. He said the most important thing is that the people were given an opportunity and those who took it up had decided to open up political space by voting YES. "As far as the outcome is concerned, I am home and dry", the President told the envoys. Commenting on the referendum results, on behalf of her colleagues, the Dutch Ambassador Mrs. Yoke Brandt also said the outcome was satisfactory. Meanwhile, at the same meeting, the President briefed the envoys on the security situation in northern Uganda. He said government remained open to any peaceful initiatives such as those spearheaded by former Minister Mrs. Betty Bigombe towards ending the terrorism. He said if Kony demonstrated any more seriousness, the army will be willing to offer a limited area of no operation to facilitate contacts between Kony and Betty Bigombe. The President also noted that the army has offered radio frequency contacts for Kony to make contact with government, Mrs. Betty Bigombe or anybody that he wishes to express his position. Mr. Museveni, however, noted that the army operations are moving on well and Kony and a few remnants remaining with him will be dealt with or captured if they do not take the offer of a peaceful solution. The President also said government will take more interest in improving humanitarian conditions in the Internally Displaced Peoples Camps (IDPCs). He said part of the solution is to encourage the people to produce their own food and generate their income to supplement relief assistance. He asked the international community to channel some of the their assistance to the people in IDPCs to help them engage in production. This, he said, should include provision of tractors and other forms of implements for mechanised agricultural production. President Museveni invited 1st Vice-President of Sudan who is visiting, to greet the envoys. Lt. General John Garang assured the envoys that the government of Southern Sudan that he will be heading, along with the national government, will give special support to the UPDF to wipe out LRA remnants from Southern Sudan in the shortest time possible. |
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