Mixed reaction over Bidandi party

By Alfred Wasike

VETERAN politician Jaberi Bidandi Ssali’s move to launch a political party has drawn mixed reactions across Uganda’s political spectrum.
While the NRM says that he should have stayed in the party, the opposition groups have welcomed him into their fold, saying it was overdue.

The former local government minister, who was a co-founder of the NRM, launched his People’s Progressive Party (PPP) on Thursday with a scathing attack on other parties, saying they could not deliver on democracy.

NRM’s Mary Karooro Okurut said, “Of course there is freedom in Uganda. But it was not a very wise decision. He should have stayed in his old home. When you start changing your diet in advanced age you can get political indigestion.”

DP’s Betty Nambooze said, “We welcome him very much. Of course the unanswered question is: why now? He is giving us a challenge that maybe the existing parties don’t give the answers he is looking for. He is welcome to join us in the struggle. What was he waiting for?”

She added, “Now that a very senior founder member of the NRM has started a party shows that there is something wrong there. Even when (Kizza) Besigye left, he started a party. It seems whoever gets annoyed in the NRM forms a party.”

FDC’s Wafula Oguttu said, “We don’t know the significance but it is okay. I don’t know why he did not join the existing parties but he is entitled to his opinion.”

CP’s Ken Lukyamuzi said, “He is very welcome to join us in the opposition. It is very nice to see such a senior member of the NRM leaving and forming his own party to criticise his former party. He has made a giant step and we welcome him.”

UPC’s Prof. Patrick Rubaihayo said, “Since he cannot find a party among the existing parties to join, he is entitled to starting his own. It is his right. It is okay with us.”