Banyakigezi want Rugunda to succeed Museveni

By Darious Magara and Patrick Murangira  

A section of Banyakigezi has asked Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda to succeed President Yoweri Museveni when he retires.

The group made the call uring the Banyakigezi convention in Kabale last week. The proposal was received with deafening cheers from the members at the convention.

According to Orumuri a local Runyankore/Rukiga weekly newspaper in this week’s issue, Eliab Mporera a farmer in Kabale, said Rugunda was the most suitable replacement for Museveni because he is clean and a good leader. Orumuri is a sister paper to the New Vision.

Rugunda who is the minister for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) was MP for Kabale Municipality for over 15 years and has served in various cabinet posts.

Mporera is reported to have said that Rugunda who was Uganda’s permanent representative at the UN represented Uganda’s interests well and his role in the peace talks with Joseph Kony.

But Rugunda never hinted on the proposal in his address to the convention but advised the Banyakigezi to work hard and fight maternal mortality and poverty that have caused underdevelopment in the region.

When contacted for a comment, Rugunda in a brief telephone Interview said was in a meeting and was constrained to discuss the matter.  

While opening the meeting, the Prime Minister, Amama Mbabazi said government has already earmarked sh5b to train more midwives to reduce maternal and infant mortality.

Mbabazi noted that government has given out ambulances in Kigezi sub-region to transport expectant mothers in labour.

The function was also attended by the Governor Bank of Uganda, Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebire who heads the Ugandan chapter.

 Kigezi comprises of the districts of Kabale, Kisoro, Rukungiri and Kanungu.