Don't beg Movement on parties, says Bamwoze

RETIRED Bishop Cyprian Bamwoze (pictured right) has urged Ugandans not to beg the Movement government for political pluralism, reports Patrick Luganda. Bamwoze, who is the chairman campaign committee for Aggrey Awori, an aspiring presidential candidate, told The New Vision at his country farm in Nakimegere, Kamuli district, that the Movement had no right to ask Ugandans to beg for their political freedom. "Let them go to hell. No one should go to the Movement to beg for granting of political pluralism. Why need anybody to allow me how to behave in my house," said the former Anglican bishop of Busoga Diocese. He said political pluralism as a factor of democracy was much more than political parties. "It includes interest groups in civil society who will become politically active when the interests for which they stand are at stake," Bamwoze said. He said he told President Yoweri Museveni and all Ugandans 21 years ago that he was a development maniac. "On October 9, 1979, at Saint Andrews Church in Iganga, I told the congregation which included the current President of Uganda that I was a development maniac. If development is not political, then I want to know what it is," Bamwoze said. He said he was amazed at those who were surprised that he was actively supporting political activities in the country. He said he had been politically active and responded to needs of Uganda. Ends