PROF. G. BUKENYA NEEDS SERVICES OF A PSYCHOLOGIST TO SAVE HIM FROM COMMITTING POLITICAL SUICIDE

Bukenya: I will be part of united force to remove Museveni from power

Prof Bukenya addresses his supporters at his home in Kakiri.

PHOTO BY DOMINIC BUKENYA 

By STEPHEN KAFEERO

Posted  Tuesday, June 24  2014 at  01:00

In Summary

Prof Bukenya said: “I’m not scared of being kicked out of the NRM because that is the best they can do and any way I will not go for any disciplinary hearing.” Prof Bukenya said he did not want Uganda to go into anarchy or violence.

WAKISO

Former vice president Gilbert Bukenya has said he will join a united Opposition to generate a momentum that will oust President Museveni from power in 2016.

Prof Bukenya, who deputised Mr Museveni for eight years, said he is prepared for all the consequences that come with challenging the status quo.

“I undressed in August last year when I said that I would run for President,” Prof Bukenya said illustrating that he had resolved to challenge the President. “I don’t fear being killed.”

He said his trips to the USA, Colombia, Canada, Denmark, South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya and Britain would be evidence to all that he is a presidential aspirant. “(In those countries) I also undressed! So you should stop wondering whether I will stand for President because I made that decision a long time ago,” he said.

Prof Bukenya was speaking to more than 50 people who stormed his residence in Kakiri, demanding assurance whether he will stand in 2016 presidential elections or not. Bukenya said he crossed the Rubicon in August 2013 when he announced that he would stand.

A month after Prof Bukenya was dropped as vice president, he was on June 16, 2011 charged in the Anti-Corruption court for alleged fraud in the procurement of luxury cars, which were used to transport dignitaries during the 2007 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Later the Inspector General of Government dropped the charges.

Since then, Prof Bukenya has been critical of government, occasionally criticizing its excesses. Last month, Prof Bukenya sent ripples down the political spine when he travelled to Luweero and campaigned alongside opposition leaders for DP’s Brenda Nabukenya, in the Woman MP by-election. Ms Nabukenya defeated NRM’s Rebecca Nalwanga, in a district considered as NRM’s cradle.

Prof Bukenya told his supporters that he was due to make a decision in three weeks on which group to ally with to defeat the incumbent in the 2016 presidential elections. The excited youth burnt dry banana leaves (ssanja) a symbol for “another term in office” that was used by President Museveni when term limits were erased from the Constitution in 2005.

“There are those asking which colour I will come in 2016, but I haven’t made the decision because all the political parties have factions. So I wonder which one I should ally with, that is why I am for unity because we are divided,” Prof Bukenya who has not yet relinquished his NRM membership observed. He said his target is to recruit at least 60,000 people in every district.

“We shall reach a time when NRM organizes a function and they cannot have more than 50 people,” he said. The Busiro North MP also warned of an impending governance crisis due to political patronage. “What has spoilt governance in this country is giving out money to people but not showing them how to make it. ”

On statements attributed to President Museveni that Prof Bukenya will face the disciplinary committee of NRM for campaigning for an Opposition candidate, Prof Bukenya said: “I’m not scared of being kicked out of the NRM because that is the best they can do and any way I will not go for any disciplinary hearing.” Prof Bukenya said he did not want Uganda to go into anarchy or violence.

sdkafeero@ug.nationmedia.com