Otafiire to media: Stop harassing Mbabazi

 

KAMPALA - Justice and constitutional affairs minister Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire has said the press should stop what he termed as “harassing” former prime minister Amama Mbabazi.

 

A tough-talking Otafiire mid-this week told journalists, at the Uganda Media Centre that Mbabazi’s private life has been invaded by the media, an act he equated to harassment.

 

Otafiire had called the press to speak about the 19th annual sector review of the Justice, Law and Order Sector (JLOS) scheduled for October 30, but he started the interface by criticizing the media harshly over penetrating the private life of Mbabazi, who he described as “my rival, friend”.
 

 

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Former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi (left) with his predecessor Ruhakana Rugunda. PHOTO/Eddie Ssejjoba

 

 

“You have reached a stage where you have stopped being journalists and you have become tormentors of my friend Mbabazi. It is no longer reporting, it is harassment.

 

Mbabazi may have issues with the National Resistance Movement party and the Government, but he is entitled to privacy. Hon. Mbabazi is my rival, but I sympathise with him, especially the way you fellows are harassing the man.

 

Talk about his public life but do not invade the man’s private life. People are entitled to a private life. We are public figures who are in office because of elections.

 

We are not public figures who are maintained at public taxpayers’ expense. There is a difference. The Queen of England and the prime minister of England are different categories of the public. So, please respect people’s privacy because when they go to court, you people will have to answer. ”

 

In 2010 during the NRM national delegates’ conference, Otafiire contested with Mbabazi. Mbabazi won with 5,694 votes.

 

Otafiire got 1,256, while other contenders such as former vice-president Prof. Gilbert Bukenya got 903, Prof. Elijah Mushemeza 190, Apolo Kibibi 41 and MP Theodore Ssekikubo polled 23 votes.

 

Mbabazi took leave with effect from October 20, amidst accusations from some party leaders that he was engaged in underground manoeuvres to stand as a presidential candidate.

 

In September, President Yoweri Museveni replaced Mbabazi with Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda as Prime Minister.

 

On December 15, NRM will convene the national delegates’ conference.