I back Besigye, says Runumi

By Darious Magara DR Francis Runumi, the Kabale LC5 chief, has said he does not support President Yoweri Museveni bid for re-election. He said, "I support Dr Kiiza Besigye and I believe its my right to support any presidential candidate as long as I believe that he has the capacity to deliver." Runumi said this recently in an interview with The New Vision in response to the paper's report that he had crossed to Museveni. The New Vision recently reported that Runumi, who had been reported to be Besigye's supporter, had switched his support to Museveni at a Rwakitura meeting. "I strongly oppose and in the strongest possible terms, the allegations that I have switched to Museveni's camp," Runumi said. He said there are other leaders in the Movement like Besigye who have unique leadership skills. Kabale district councillors and opinion leaders met the President recently at his Rwakitura home where Runumi presented a memorandum on their behalf. But Runumi said, "I signed that document as a district chairman who was performing an official duty, but it was not an expression of my personal feeling. I did not do it with a peace of mind simply because I did not participate in the drafting of this document and I don't subscribe to the information therein." He said the memorandum had been made in a meeting chaired by the area RDC, Lt. James Mwesigye, and was to be presented by the district speaker, Adison Kakuru. He added, "I just signed for courtesy and like any other person who went to Rwakitura but who had not been involved in the drafting of the document." Runumi said he would not support a multiparty candidate. He blamed Museveni for being close to the likes of Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda who he alleged spoiled the President's image. "Museveni would be an unequalled leader if he had no strong ties with wrong people," he said. Kabale councillors who were contacted said Runumi is not principled and that if he did not support Museveni, he should not have attended the meeting. Ends