Rukungiri movt raps Besigye

THE Rukungiri District Movement Committee yesterday criticised presidential aspirant Col. Kiiza Besigye for "not consulting" before declaring his candidature for the presidency. Alfred Wasike reports that the committee chairman, Rujumbura MP Brigadier Jim Muhwezi, rang The New Vision late last evening and said the committee met in Rukungiri town. He said it pledged to support President Museveni's candidature in presidential elections next year. Muhwezi, who chaired yesterday's meeting, said, "There were 45 members in the meeting. Forty-two voted for His Excellency's candidature. One voted against, one abstained and I think one had walked out by the time of the vote." He said the meeting was a precursor to the Movement National Executive Committee and the Movement Conference meeting due soon. Muhwezi said the members criticised the way Besigye declared his bid. "Many members said 'Besigye is our son, we like him but he should have consulted us and we feel he did not do consultations.' The members felt that since this is President Museveni's last term, they want a peaceful change. They felt that Besigye should have waited," Muhwezi said. He said, "By the way Besigye is one of my constituents in Rujumbura. He is one of my supporters and he even nominated me during the last elections. But the meeting reached a consensus that President Museveni's candidature should be supported." He said a proposal to hear Besigye's side of the story was rejected. He said the district Movement committee is composed of the chairman (Muhwezi), the Resident District Commissioner, the District Council, LC3 chairmen, the subcounty Movement chairmen, representatives of the business sector under the Uganda National Chamber of Commerce & Industry and a representative of war veterans. Muhwezi recently said after discharge from the army, Besigye had a right to vie for any office. Ends.