'Opposition using Parliament to its advantage'

By Francis Emorut  

The NRM youth league have accused the opposition for having a hidden agenda to overthrow the government through Parliament.

The young Movementists told a news conference Friday in Kampala that the opposition is using the NRM rebel MPs to achieve their goal.

They cited 190 MPs who signed the petition that urged the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, to recall the Parliament for a special seating to debate the oil deal.

The chief petitioners were Theodore Ssekikubo (NRM Lwemiyaga) and Abdu Katuntu (FDC Bugweri).

Addressing journalists on the outcome of oil debate in Parliament, the youth league from the central region noted that the law makers had targeted the ministers named in the deal in order to paralyze the Government.

The named ministers are Sam Kutesa for foreign affairs, Hillary Onek for internal affairs who are alleged to have received bribes from Tullow Oil and the Premier Amama Mbabazi’s daughter Nina Rukikaire.

All the named ministers have denied the bribe allegations.

Adam Buyinza Luzinda, the NRM youth chairman, Kampala region said the rebel MPs were also targeting Mbabazi who also holds the post of secretary general of the ruling party.

“We have learnt with shock and disbelief that some MPs, whatever their motives are fighting to drag our secretary general into this mess,” Luzindana said.

William Seruyinda, chairperson NRM central region pointed out that the NRM rebel MPs were  mounting pressure to have the secretary general of the party replaced.

“The oil debate is just a disguise but the real issue is about succession struggle,” Shakur Walusimbi, the coordinator Friends of NRM remarked.

The young movementists however, observed that it was in the interest of this country that the oil transactions are scrutinised adequately.

Parliament resolved to halt oil transanctions until the necessary laws are in place, asked Government to present all oil agreements it executed with Oil companies and to review all Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs) executed for the purpose of harmonising with the law and others.

The NRM youth league commended the chairman of the Party, President Yoweri Museveni for speaking out about the oil in Uganda saying the country will not lose money in oil deals.

They asked Kadaga not to allow herself to be dragged into partisan politics but to act professionally.It was attended by NRM women league members Lillian Kamagara and Joy Owembabazi