Movement MPs support Museveni

MOVEMENT MPs yesterday supported President Yoweri Museveni's position on Besigye. In a statement on Wednesday, Museveni said Besigye was ill-disciplined and disruptive by unilaterally declaring himself a Movement candidate, reports Milton Olupot. Retired Col. Dr. Kiiza Besigye on Saturday said he would stand for president as a Movement candidate. He promised "full" democracy and to stamp out corruption in government. Museveni yesterday described Besigye as a liar out to cause problems to the Movement. He said, "Besigye has gone about his intentions in an ill-disciplined and disruptive way. "He has without consulting any organ of the Movement, launched himself as a Movement candidate although it is well-known that he is in close collaboration with multi-partyists." Elly Karuhanga (Nyabushozi) said Museveni had the right to respond to Besigye's allegations. He said Museveni heads the Movement and had a right to bring Besigye to order. "When there is an errant member in the family, it is upon the head of the family to bring such a member to order for the good of the family. I would expect a disciplined member of the Movement to go through Movement organs in a disciplined, mature way." Raphael Baku (West Moyo) said it was indiscipline for Besigye to declare himself a Movement candidate without consensus from the Movement. He said the consistent refusal by multipartyists to accept the Movement principle of individual merit, had developed two political blocks in the country. He said the Movement needed harmony among its members, but it is already a problem when it is divided. "This is a problem because you cannot get the legitimacy. People believe in the system and not in individuals," Baku added. Christine Aporu Okol (Kumi Women) said Museveni had a right to reply but he should have done it through the Movement Secretariat. Onyango Kakoba (Buikwe North) said it was too early for a war of words. Sam Njuba (Kyadondo East), who recruited Besigye into the NRA bush war in 1992, said there was no need for Museveni to respond to Besigye. He said it was not necessary for Besigye to consult before standing. "Under the Movement, the contests are on individual merit. Whom do you consult apart from the few who want you to contest. I hate the idea that the Movement is sponsoring candidates," he said. Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu (Army) Maj. John Kazoora (Kashari) and Lt. James Kinobe (Katikamu North) declined to comment. Multiparty MPs lashed out at Museveni, saying he was contradicting the Movement's so-called individual merit. They said Museveni was scared of competition. Reagan Okumu (Aswa) said, "Museveni is just being cheap. The man is standing on his own individual merit, why should he have to consult him. Is he the Movement? Besigye could have consulted other members of the Movement, and he is answering a silent call by many Movementists for change. I'm sorry they're going to expose their dirt themselves." Ken Lukyamuzi and Okullo Epak said Museveni was panicking and scared of Besigye. "The situation is slippery," Okullo Epak said.