Movement to clean up Mengo
May 31, 2005
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has warned his detractors at Mengo that their days are numbered.<br>Making his first comments after the regional tier (government’s compromise for Mengo’s demand for federo) was passed by parliament on May 20, Museveni said opportunists had maligned him and government d
By Henry Mukasa
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has warned his detractors at Mengo that their days are numbered.
Making his first comments after the regional tier (government’s compromise for Mengo’s demand for federo) was passed by parliament on May 20, Museveni said opportunists had maligned him and government during the process.
“Mengo issues have been disposed of. Those who have been at Mengo will not return unless they are voted. Their days are over.
The Movement is going to liberate Mengo and cleanse it of emisege (wolves). The Katikkiro
and Lukiiko representatives will be elected. His Highness the Kabaka will appoint 15% of Lukiiko as cultural members,†Museveni said.
Speaking in a mixture of Luganda and English at the launch of phase II of the Wakiso district head offices yesterday, Museveni sounded bitter that his restoration of the kingdom had not been appreciated.
“Some people were saying we would not conclude well Mengo’s demands. There were wolves riding on Mengo’s back. They said the Movement gave us byoya byanswa (hot air). I asked, ‘if the Movement gave you hot air, who restored the Kabakaship?’ Was he reigning during Obote’s regime?†he said.
Donning his trademark hat and basking among hundreds of cheering supporters, Museveni said critics at Mengo acted like “a person who cuts a branch he is seated on.â€
“They (wolves) hid in Mengo fighting the cure of Uganda’s problems. They annoy. They are detractors,†he said as fans, mostly women, cheered.
Prime Minister Prof. Apolo Nsibambi, local government minister Prof. Tarsis Kabwegyere, LC5 chairman Ian Kyeyune, RDC Francis Lukooya, MPs and religious leaders welcomed the President. Before inviting Museveni to speak, Nsibambi led people in chants of, “Museveni abeewo (stay).â€
“We want beneficial leadership. You have benefited Ugandans. Stay on to benefit people further,†Nsibambi told Museveni as he gave him a hearty handshake.
Esther Babirye, who composed a pro-third term song, Museveni tumuwe ekisanja and pupils who sang praises for the president received sealed envelopes.
Museveni compared the Movement to a train on which all Ugandans were travelling from hardship to the Promised Land. He said at independence in 1962, no political party garnered majority votes but 80% Ugandans now support the Movement.
He said those campaigning against the Movement were blind and should stand warned.
He said for the regional tier motion to be passed in parliament, the Movement appealed to the Bakiga, Karimojong and Adjumani MPs, who do not cherish kingship.
He caused laughter when he said while the motion for passing the regional tier needed support of 196 MPs, 246 voted for it, of which 218 were Movement supporters.
“Some multipartyists, 26, like Lukyamuzi, joined us. But no credit should be given to Lukyamuzi because it was already done,†Museveni mused.
He handed over 10 heifers to farmers and commissioned a sh20.4m micro-finance scheme. He praised his deputy, Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, as being a good Movement fighter.
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has warned his detractors at Mengo that their days are numbered.
Making his first comments after the regional tier (government’s compromise for Mengo’s demand for federo) was passed by parliament on May 20, Museveni said opportunists had maligned him and government during the process.
“Mengo issues have been disposed of. Those who have been at Mengo will not return unless they are voted. Their days are over.
The Movement is going to liberate Mengo and cleanse it of emisege (wolves). The Katikkiro
and Lukiiko representatives will be elected. His Highness the Kabaka will appoint 15% of Lukiiko as cultural members,†Museveni said.
Speaking in a mixture of Luganda and English at the launch of phase II of the Wakiso district head offices yesterday, Museveni sounded bitter that his restoration of the kingdom had not been appreciated.
“Some people were saying we would not conclude well Mengo’s demands. There were wolves riding on Mengo’s back. They said the Movement gave us byoya byanswa (hot air). I asked, ‘if the Movement gave you hot air, who restored the Kabakaship?’ Was he reigning during Obote’s regime?†he said.
Donning his trademark hat and basking among hundreds of cheering supporters, Museveni said critics at Mengo acted like “a person who cuts a branch he is seated on.â€
“They (wolves) hid in Mengo fighting the cure of Uganda’s problems. They annoy. They are detractors,†he said as fans, mostly women, cheered.
Prime Minister Prof. Apolo Nsibambi, local government minister Prof. Tarsis Kabwegyere, LC5 chairman Ian Kyeyune, RDC Francis Lukooya, MPs and religious leaders welcomed the President. Before inviting Museveni to speak, Nsibambi led people in chants of, “Museveni abeewo (stay).â€
“We want beneficial leadership. You have benefited Ugandans. Stay on to benefit people further,†Nsibambi told Museveni as he gave him a hearty handshake.
Esther Babirye, who composed a pro-third term song, Museveni tumuwe ekisanja and pupils who sang praises for the president received sealed envelopes.
Museveni compared the Movement to a train on which all Ugandans were travelling from hardship to the Promised Land. He said at independence in 1962, no political party garnered majority votes but 80% Ugandans now support the Movement.
He said those campaigning against the Movement were blind and should stand warned.
He said for the regional tier motion to be passed in parliament, the Movement appealed to the Bakiga, Karimojong and Adjumani MPs, who do not cherish kingship.
He caused laughter when he said while the motion for passing the regional tier needed support of 196 MPs, 246 voted for it, of which 218 were Movement supporters.
“Some multipartyists, 26, like Lukyamuzi, joined us. But no credit should be given to Lukyamuzi because it was already done,†Museveni mused.
He handed over 10 heifers to farmers and commissioned a sh20.4m micro-finance scheme. He praised his deputy, Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, as being a good Movement fighter.