Bidandi sacked
May 23, 2003
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni yesterday dropped his longest-serving local government minister Jaberi Bidandi Ssali and First Deputy premier Eriya Kategaya in a Cabinet reshuffle.
By Felix Osike
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni yesterday dropped his longest-serving local government minister Jaberi Bidandi Ssali and First Deputy premier Eriya Kategaya in a Cabinet reshuffle.
“I am no longer a minister. I am out as a result of a cabinet reshuffle,†he said at his office on the third floor of Uganda House.
The New Vision found him clearing out his desk. He said he received a call from the President’s private secretary yesterday morning informing him of the reshuffle.
Bidandi said his exit from cabinet could not have resulted from his differences with Museveni over the proposed constitutional amendments including one to lift
the two-term limit for the president.
“Unfortunately that is the picture that is going to be painted but I don’t think it is because of that. This is a normal cabinet reshuffle involving many others,†he said.
He said he would remain a member of the Interim National Executive Committee of the newly founded National Resistance Movement (NRM) organisation. Al Hajji Moses Kigongo heads the committee and the organisation is due to be registered soon.
Bidandi said he had no regrets over his views.
“I think I have done my best and made the best contribution to the country. I will continue to participate in the setting up of the Movement organisation, “ he said.
He said he would continue opposing the third term proposal.
“The question is not whether Museveni comes back but amending the constitution to lift the two term limit,†he said adding, “Differing with the president does not mean I am fighting him. We differed in opinion.â€
Asked about his next course of action, he said, “Fortunately for me, I am not going to the streets. I will continue to contribute from wherever I will be and at whatever level I find myself including local council one (LC1) or any branch of the Movement.â€
Bidandi has served as minister since NRM took power in 1986.
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni yesterday dropped his longest-serving local government minister Jaberi Bidandi Ssali and First Deputy premier Eriya Kategaya in a Cabinet reshuffle.
“I am no longer a minister. I am out as a result of a cabinet reshuffle,†he said at his office on the third floor of Uganda House.
The New Vision found him clearing out his desk. He said he received a call from the President’s private secretary yesterday morning informing him of the reshuffle.
Bidandi said his exit from cabinet could not have resulted from his differences with Museveni over the proposed constitutional amendments including one to lift
the two-term limit for the president.
“Unfortunately that is the picture that is going to be painted but I don’t think it is because of that. This is a normal cabinet reshuffle involving many others,†he said.
He said he would remain a member of the Interim National Executive Committee of the newly founded National Resistance Movement (NRM) organisation. Al Hajji Moses Kigongo heads the committee and the organisation is due to be registered soon.
Bidandi said he had no regrets over his views.
“I think I have done my best and made the best contribution to the country. I will continue to participate in the setting up of the Movement organisation, “ he said.
He said he would continue opposing the third term proposal.
“The question is not whether Museveni comes back but amending the constitution to lift the two term limit,†he said adding, “Differing with the president does not mean I am fighting him. We differed in opinion.â€
Asked about his next course of action, he said, “Fortunately for me, I am not going to the streets. I will continue to contribute from wherever I will be and at whatever level I find myself including local council one (LC1) or any branch of the Movement.â€
Bidandi has served as minister since NRM took power in 1986.