Screen candidates for HIV, says Besigye

Nov 23, 2000

PRESIDENTIAL aspirants should be screened for the HIV virus and other diseases before nomination, Col (Rtd) Dr. Kiiza Besigye said yesterday.

PRESIDENTIAL aspirants should be screened for the HIV virus and other diseases before nomination, Col (Rtd) Dr. Kiiza Besigye said yesterday. Felix Osike reports that Besigye told The New Vision that including such a provision in the law would end the slanderous statements being made about the health status of some candidates. "The Presidential Elections Bill is still in Parliament. Let them make it a prescription that we all be screened not only HIV but for other diseases that they feel can cause worry that a candidate may not be nominated. I have no problem," he said. Other aspirants are Aggrey Awori (Samia Bugwe) and Al Hajji Nasser Sebaggala. The Bill to regulate the presidential elections is being debated in Parliament. Responding to calls about his health status on WBS television on Tuesday night, Besigye said he wanted to put the matter to rest. "The law has not been passed. It should be included now so that we put to rest this question about AIDS, he said." He said he was ready for the test as long as it is included in the law. He said he was ready to discharge his duties as president. Besigye said the subject of debate should now be on the issues raised and programmes being offered by the aspirants rather than the diversionary tactics by the Movement hard-liners. "If we wanted to comment on one another's health, I would be better placed because I was his (Museveni) doctor for many years. How can anybody talk about health to a doctor. I was the doctor in that group for years," Besigye said. He said a media network had been formed to malign aspiring candidates. He said a non-practicing journalist linked to State House and operating from the International Conference Centre, Kampala heads the media group. He also revealed that several unemployed youth have been recruited to disorganise candidates during TV and radio talk shows, through unfriendly calls. Ends.

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