Babu denies seeing Besigye

Oct 15, 2004

STATE minister for housing Capt. Francis Babu has denied meeting Col. Kizza Besigye during his recent visit to South Africa.

By Hamis Kaheru and John Kakande

STATE minister for housing Capt. Francis Babu has denied meeting Col. Kizza Besigye during his recent visit to South Africa.

Speaking to The New Vision on Thursday, Babu said President Yoweri Museveni sent him to South Africa to represent him at the October 9 Independence Day celebrations organised by Ugandans, but he did not see Besigye.

Babu said he travelled to South Africa on October 8 and returned home on Sunday 10. He said he presided over the independence celebrations for Ugandans in South Africa. He was accompanied by Patrick Mugoya, the deputy High Commissioner to South Africa.

Babu said although Besigye had been invited to the celebrations by the organisers, he did not turn up. “I was informed that Besigye rarely attends public functions,” said Babu, adding that while at the function he told the Ugandans that Besigye should be invited “like any other Ugandan citizen.”

“A message was sent to him (Besigye),” added Babu, saying that a Ugandan professor whose name he could not recall, telephoned Besigye to try to convince him to attend the celebrations.

Ugandans in South Africa earlier said Babu met Besigye on October 9, at an undisclosed venue. The uhuru day was marked at Halequin Club in Pretoria.

Sources said Babu reportedly said at the function that he had just met Besigye before the afternoon function. He reportedly said he was sent by Museveni to talk to Besigye.

Reform Agenda secretary for international affairs Dr Chris Kibuuka represented Besigye at the fete. Kibuuka reportedly said the two men met.

Babu said the Ugandans raised issues relating to the economy, politics and security. Ugandan students complained of unfair treatment by the South African High Commission in Kampala.

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