'Museveni scared of soaring opposition support'

 By Moses Walubiri

Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president Mugisha Muntu has ruled out throwing his weight behind anyone resorting to armed struggle to cause political change.

Addressing a news conference in Kampala at Party Villas, Najjanakumbi, Muntiu warned that such a move would be counterproductive in the long run.

The party boss is convinced that the opposition is chipping away at the support of the ruling NRM and “it’s a matter of time” before peaceful change of government is realized.

Reacting to a recent video footage that went viral of alleged ADF rebels training children in guerrilla war fare, the former army chief told journalists this morning that “removing this regime without changing the mindset of Ugandans” will only perpetuate “abuse of power.”

Muntu contends that “the current abuse of power” is due to failure by those in position of authority to control what he called “intoxicating influence” that comes with controlling the different instruments of coercion.

“There are few people in this country who have got the capacity of managing power that comes with controlling instruments of coercion like arms,” Muntu said, attributing what he labeled as “abuse of power in the country,” to the sense of entitlement people who shot their way to power feel.”

Muntu said if he were to have a change of mind about the issue years down the road, he would have to walk out of FDC as the party decided in 2005 to only pursue “regime change through peaceful means.”

Muntu was responding to questions about the impact of the recently enacted Public Order Management Bill (POMP) and whether the contentious piece of legislation which seeks to regulate public gatherings will not narrow down political space in the country.

Muntu believes President Yoweri Museveni is “running scared” as the opposition erodes his support in his traditional base in the West and Central Uganda.

The POMB has seen opposition politicians and human rights activists draw daggers at government over what they deem to be an attempt to stymie dissenting voices through rolling back civil liberties like freedom of assembly and association.

However, since its enactment, government has gone on the offensive defending the Bill with Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kutesa last week telling envoys that the piece of legislation only seeks to give police powers to “regulate” and not to “prohibit” public gatherings.