President Museveni speaks on Gen. Sejusa, his convoy, big budget

By Samuel Ouga

KAMPALA - President Museveni on Saturday spoke out strongly on a range on issues ranging from politics, economy, energy and the military, when he appeared on the Capital Gang radio talk show in Kampala. 

He responded to a question concerning the high electricity tariffs in Uganda.

"We still have issues with electricity prices because of the distortion caused by the Bujagali project.  The concession for Bujagali power was not negotiated well.  We will sort it out," he said.

President Museveni engages the Gang in the 90s. (Photo credit: Daily Monitor archives)

The president pointed out how all the other power concessions agreed on charging less than what Bujagali power is charging per unit today. Bujagali power is currently charging 11 cents per unit.

Responding to questions about Gen. Sejusa, the president said; “Gen Sejusa has been making political statements. It’s illegal. It will stop. Sejusa will be dealt with. Not everything has to be said in the media. But you will see him handled.” Museveni said lawyers will handle the legal part as he handles politics.

The president said the party is reorganizing to make it more cohesive like it was before. He rubbished claims that the Namboole meeting was about Amama Mbabazi. 

He added that they had discovered many loopholes in the party leadership that needed to be changed.  He said some leaders within the party had so many commitments outside the party that prevented them from being effective.

President Museveni featured on the Capital Gang on Saturday

President Museveni also defended his current ravels using a big convoy.  “We are living in a turbulent part of Africa with lots of terrorism. That convoy is because of terrorism. Without terrorism I would not mind walking on foot…,” he said.

During the radio talk show one of the panelists tasked the president to explain why State House has a budget of over sh200bn.

“I am not a decoration president. I am a working president. Some of this money, when some actors are not doing their work, I do it myself… My budget is for intervening in areas where other actors don’t play their part. Some of these people don’t do their work in a satisfactory manner, what is the problem with me intervening?” responded the president.

“This budget that you are trying to make fun of is providing an alternative to service delivery in Uganda,” added president Museveni.

He also revealed that part of the UShs 200bn is used to support the operations of the Special Forces Command.

The president promised to study why oil prices remain high in Uganda while global prices are dropping and act.

On the subject of building an oil refinery in Uganda, Museveni said; “We will build our refinery in Uganda whatever the world price will be. We will build it.”

Asked on why he is not heading the call by some of his former bush war fighters, President Museveni shot back; “You see, this is part of the problem. You people keep quoting the Amanya Mushegas… do you think Kampala was captured by only Amanya Mushega and Besigye? There are many bush war fighters who don’t hear about.”

The president was asked by a radio listener if he admires Nelson Mandela who retired after serving just one term in office as president;

In a jolly-mood response, Museveni replied: “ You see, by the time Nelson Mandela came out of  jail he was already older than me and he was like a martyr. That’s why he retired.”

It is the second time the president is appearing on the Capital Gang radio talk show within a space of 4 weeks.