Mbabazi Is VP Material - Museveni

By Grace Matsiko in Kihihi, Kanungu PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni yesterday asked the people of Kinkizi West, Rukungiri district to vote for Amama Mbabazi because he is Vice President material. Addressing a rally at Kihihi town yesterday, Museveni said Mbabazi was among the top 10 politicians who can lead the country even after he has retired. "When I retire we shall call a Movement conference to look for someone who can be a President, a Prime Minister, Vice-President, Speaker. "When it comes to Vice President, we start looking at Kigongo, Kategaya, Wapakhabulo, Rugunda and Mbabazi," he said. Museveni accompanied by his daughter Diana added, "If you remove Mbabazi and replace him with James Musinguzi, what will happen? You would miss that opportunity. Mbabazi is among the first 10." Musinguzi attended Museveni's rally accompanied by his wife, Dr, Peace Bagorogoza. At one point, Musinguzi shouted out, "I'm here your Excellency," causing laughter. The President replied "Yeah, yeah, yeah. I have seen you and I'm saying this in good faith. I'm not backbiting you." Museveni said Musinguzi was in the UPM and participated in the past struggles of the Movement but that in the last presidential elections his eyes looked in a different direction. Present were Kanungu and Rukungiri RDCs, Kamara Mahani and Mary Kemerwa respectively, and Kinkizi Bishop John Ntegyereize. Museveni said he was going to remove Mbabazi from Foreign Affairs to another ministry, to enable him concentrate on his constituency. "Mbabazi is not a thief, he is not a drunkard, he is honest, but he is lazy. He can't watch his people. He should stop being lazy," Museveni said. Museveni said he particularly went to Kinkizi to advise people to vote for Mbabazi, adding that he will be going to other parts of the country to canvass support for Movement candidates. "Even if a candidate sleeps in Parliament, as long as this person wakes up in the middle of the motion and votes for the Movement that is the person we should look for not one who will try to tear the Movement," he said. He said Musinguzi should wait for the next five years to have his political vision right. He appealed to the voters to forgive Mbabazi for his shortcomings in the constituency. He said one of the reasons was that he was constantly involved in redeeming Uganda's image abroad. He said Paula Turyahikayo had heeded his call and stepped down in favour of Winnie Matsiko as a way of getting rid of Winnie Babihuga. He said MPs dishing out money will be arrested. He particularly warned Babihuga and Musinguzi who had allegedly been dishing out money. When contacted after Museveni's speech, Musinguzi said what the President said was as a result of lies told to him by Mbabazi. He said the President was balanced and did not damage his reputation. As journalists were interviewing Musinguzi, the DPC Rukungiri, Charles Adoa and members of the PPU came and stopped them. Ends