Kibirige Warns Museveni On 2006

By Joyce Namutebi FORMER presidential candidate Kibirige Mayanja has cautioned President Yoweri Museveni against what he called frustrating the aspirations of Ugandans by seeking another term of office in 2006. In a statement yesterday, Mayanja Kibirige also rejected the results of the recent presidential elections, which Museveni won with 69.3%. He said, "President Yoweri Museveni who has been declared winner, the onus is on him not to frustrate the aspirations of the people of Uganda to attain genuine democracy. Let me hope that when he completes his mandatory term, he will not manipulate the Constitution to seek another term." He congratulated former candidates Aggrey Awori, Francis Bwengye, Dr. Kizza Besigye and Karuhanga Chapaa for completing the race. He rejected the results, saying there were two million "ghost voters" out of the 10.6 million reflected in the final register. "The voters register was manipulated and inflated to reflect 10.6 million voters when two million were ghost voters," he said. "The results of the election, therefore, do not reflect the true will of the electorate. We find it impossible to accept them.," he said, adding that he found it immoral for any Ugandan to accept the results. He said there was overwhelming evidence of intimidation, loss of life, bribery, inflated voters register and malpractices by electoral officials. He said the cleaning of the voters register was so incomplete that some genuine voters were excluded. He said others received cards but were not on the register. He thanked Ugandans who supported him and called on them to avoid lawlessness. "As we plan for the political future of our country beyond March 12, peace and sober dialogue is our best way forward," he said. Ends