Bukenya outlines his vision for Uganda

By Moses Mulondo 

• It is too late for me not to stand in 2016, says Bukenya

FORMER Vice President Prof. Gilbert Balibaseka Bukenya has outlined his vision which contains five point programmes which will swiftly revolutionize Uganda.

Speaking yesterday to journalists at parliament, the Busiro North MP dismissed allegations that he is in talks with President Yoweri Museveni.

“I have been away for more than a month establishing my campaign networks in the UK and in America but people have been spreading malicious propaganda that I am in talks with President Museveni. That is a lie. I have already made up my mind to stand for president in 2016 and I have reached a point of no return on that,” Bukenya said.

The Busiro North MP said whoever thinks he can give up on his plan to stand for president in 2016 is mistaken.

“If I was to get of the presidential bid, I would have done that 10 days after I announced it. But now I have done so much that I cannot retreat from this struggle which I have embarked on. I cannot disappoint my supporters. Having been a Vice President, the only office I can now go for is that of the President,” Bukenya elaborated. 

There have been media reports that Bukenya was in talks with President Museveni to be considered for either the position of Vice President, NRM Secretary General or Prime Minister.

“Such reports are only aimed at distracting my supporters because they have been worried thinking that Bukenya is giving up on his plan to stand for president. I will never accept any kind of offer to get me out of the race for presidency,” he explained.

Bukenya, who has just returned from America, said he is in the final stages of completing his book titled In the Corridors of Power which contains his vision for Uganda and the lessons he has learnt in the various public offices has so far held.

He said the book is currently being edited by Micthel Fauber, an American expert and will be launched in January during which he will officially unveil his vision for Uganda which he will implement when he becomes the president.

In what he has dubbed his five point programme, Bukenya said his number one priority will be agriculture.

“It is agriculture that will revolutionalize Uganda and I have already demonstrated the capacity to do it. Most of our economic problems will be solved by our exploits in agriculture,” Bukenya said.

Uganda’s upland rice growing pioneer said his other four key programmes include skills oriented education, health, promoting rights and democracy and infrastructure development.

He argues that the biggest blunder of president Museveni’s reign is privatization of the state which he said has greatly weakened the capacity of the state to drive the process of developing the nation.  

Criticizing the policies of the current government, Bukenya said he has unique policies for each of the five programmes which will in a small space of time develop Uganda.

“I have put all the details of these policies in my book and its launch in January will some sort of a mini launch of my 2016 presidential bid. I will move around the country popularizing my ideas and so many Ugandans will support me after hearing those ideas,” he said. 

The former NRM Vice Chairman for Buganda criticized his NRM party saying it is not functioning as a political party. 

“A normal political party should have collective decision making and be a strong institution that is above individuals. But any party controlled by one or a few individuals is destined for destruction. That is why so many people believe NRM will die when Museveni gets out of power,” Bukenya argued.

Making an assessment, Prof. Bukenya said the biggest weakness of President Yoweri Museveni is lack of delegation.

“President Museveni concentrates power around himself and this undermines the decision making process at all levels and it is the major reason for poor service delivery in the country. It is that weakness which has killed institutions in the country,” he observed.

He said he has already established his campaign teams in the UK and the United States of America who have already embarked on a drive to comb support for him.