Multipartyists not happy with Besigye candidacy

MULTIPARTYISTS have dismissed Col. Kiiza Besigye's bid for the presidency saying his decision to stand on individual merit will perpetuate what they termed as the monolithic Movement system of governance, reports John Eremu. Both UPC factions under Lira municipality MP Cecilia Ogwal and Dr. James Rwanyarare yesterday demanded a full return to multiparty politics. While welcoming Besigye's move as good for democracy, they said political competition must be institutionalised because individual merit politics could not guarantee the interests of the population. "Individual merit politics is dangerous because you end up creating an institution based on one person like Museveni who is the President, the chairman of the Movement conference, the chairman of the army council and the Minister of Defence. This one-man system is dangerous," Ogwal said. Rwanyarare and his deputy, Mr. Henry Mayega, said they were not excited by Besigye's bid because there was no difference between him and Museveni as long as competition was not on party basis. "We are still waiting to study his manifesto," Rwanyarare said. "As of now, it is the same old story of monolithic Movement system. "Unless Besigye declares that if he wins political parties will be free, we will not see him as different from Museveni," he added. However, Gulu municipality MP Norbert Mao welcomed Besigye's candidature describing him as a person of courage and integrity. "He is not a protest candidate but a principled person," Mao said. "As an individual, I welcome his candidature and over the next few days I will be carrying out consultations on his alternative view for the country. I salute his courage," he added. He, however, said Besigye's decision and the recent decision to quit politics by some Movement bigwigs like First Deputy Prime Minister Eriya Kategaya, local government minister Jaberi Bidandi Ssali and Nyabushozi MP Elly Karuhanga, signified problems in the Movement and Uganda. Ends.