Besigye ready for meeting
Jul 25, 2006
THE State House agenda for the meeting between President Yoweri Museveni and opposition leaders issued on Monday was yesterday greeted with cheers and jeers among the leaders, though all said they would attend the Friday historical meeting.
By Charles Etukuri
THE State House agenda for the meeting between President Yoweri Museveni and opposition leaders issued on Monday was yesterday greeted with cheers and jeers among the leaders, though all said they would attend the Friday historical meeting.
FDC President Kizza Besigye yesterday said he had received the agenda and that he would go for the meeting but was disappointed with the failure by State House to involve the party in drafting the agenda. “The agenda has clearly brought out Museveni’s patronising attitude of wanting to determine everything,†he said.
UPC Secretary General Peter Walubiri yesterday said they had received the agenda but termed it a weird one. “We did receive it though it was a weird one but we did not expect much from the President. We are not very happy but to save a bad situation, we have to attend the meeting. We don’t want the country to blame us, although many of the items on the agenda don’t make sense,†he said.
Walubiri said the time of the meeting was too short. “We are about five parties presenting our memoranda but there is too much time for lunch and for him to respond to our presentations,†he said.
He was optimistic, however, that if the President wanted national dialogue, the Friday meeting should be the first one aimed at achieving it.
Former independent presidential candidate Abed Bwanika and DP Secretary General Ebil Otto said they were happy with the agenda. Bwanika described it as sufficient, while Otto said, “The party was happy.â€
Sources yesterday said some opposition figureheads were planning a meeting to raise joint memoranda to present to the President.
Bwanika yesterday said he contacted FDC, saying this was necessary to ensure they addressed most of their issues.
THE State House agenda for the meeting between President Yoweri Museveni and opposition leaders issued on Monday was yesterday greeted with cheers and jeers among the leaders, though all said they would attend the Friday historical meeting.
FDC President Kizza Besigye yesterday said he had received the agenda and that he would go for the meeting but was disappointed with the failure by State House to involve the party in drafting the agenda. “The agenda has clearly brought out Museveni’s patronising attitude of wanting to determine everything,†he said.
UPC Secretary General Peter Walubiri yesterday said they had received the agenda but termed it a weird one. “We did receive it though it was a weird one but we did not expect much from the President. We are not very happy but to save a bad situation, we have to attend the meeting. We don’t want the country to blame us, although many of the items on the agenda don’t make sense,†he said.
Walubiri said the time of the meeting was too short. “We are about five parties presenting our memoranda but there is too much time for lunch and for him to respond to our presentations,†he said.
He was optimistic, however, that if the President wanted national dialogue, the Friday meeting should be the first one aimed at achieving it.
Former independent presidential candidate Abed Bwanika and DP Secretary General Ebil Otto said they were happy with the agenda. Bwanika described it as sufficient, while Otto said, “The party was happy.â€
Sources yesterday said some opposition figureheads were planning a meeting to raise joint memoranda to present to the President.
Bwanika yesterday said he contacted FDC, saying this was necessary to ensure they addressed most of their issues.