MUSEVENI READY TO DISCUSS FEDERO
Mar 30, 2003
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni yesterday called for a debate on the federal type of government advocated for by some Ugandans.
By Felix Osike
and Grace Matsiko
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni yesterday called for a debate on the federal type of government advocated for by some Ugandans.
Addressing the Movement’s National Conference (MNC) delegates at the International Conference Centre in Kampala, Museveni called for a compromise position on the federal system.
“I don’t want to oppress anybody. I want everybody to get what he/she wants within a compromise formula, which will not get problems for others. I am ready to discuss with others about this issue,†he told the MNC delegates.
The MNC is the highest organ of the Movement.
“I have not met the Buganda kingdom Katikkiro (Joseph Semwogerere) of recent but I think I am going to meet him to discuss these
issues,†he said.
He said African nations should, in future, be able to negotiate with western countries as a block and that he was looking forward to a political federation for Africa.
The president introduced the subject as one of the issues he wants the over 3,000 delegates to consider.
He said the form of federo agreed on, must take into account the greater African integration and that the federal arrangement must have well defined powers at every level.
Ssemwogerere recently presented to the Constitutional Review Commission the views of Buganda demanding for federo and Kampala City to be included in Buganda.
The kingdoms of Bunyoro and Busoga also called for a federal form of government.
Outside the conference hall, a group of protesters displayed placards denouncing the National Executive committee (NEC) for freeing parties and demanded for the continuity of the Movement system.
“The Movementists say mzee you’re fighting rebels, but also “poverty†so another war in lower cadres†one placard read.
Another read, “The Movement volunteers will not allow multipartyâ€. The peaceful protesters almost turned rowdy in a bid to attract the President’s attention as they chanted patriotic songs but were warned by the Presidential Guard Brigade personnel.
Museveni said the question of the northern rebellion would be ended soon. “The understanding in defence has been a big mistake and we are not going to repeat it,†he said. He said the army lacked better equipment because of donor resistance to increased defence expenditure. “We are solving all these weaknesses in the army and some of the equipment which we didn’t have has been acquired.
Following a complaint from some delegates that they could not understand English, the official language for the conference, ministers, Oryem Okello, Andruale Awuzu and the director general External Security Organisation, David Pulkol, were made translators for Luo, Lugbara, Ateso and Akarimojong speakers respectively.
The function was attended by diplomats, religious and cultural leaders among others. The president arrived at the Conference at 11:00am accompanied by the Movement vice-chairman Al Hajji Moses Kigongo and the National Political Commissar Dr. Crispus Kiyonga. Ends
and Grace Matsiko
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni yesterday called for a debate on the federal type of government advocated for by some Ugandans.
Addressing the Movement’s National Conference (MNC) delegates at the International Conference Centre in Kampala, Museveni called for a compromise position on the federal system.
“I don’t want to oppress anybody. I want everybody to get what he/she wants within a compromise formula, which will not get problems for others. I am ready to discuss with others about this issue,†he told the MNC delegates.
The MNC is the highest organ of the Movement.
“I have not met the Buganda kingdom Katikkiro (Joseph Semwogerere) of recent but I think I am going to meet him to discuss these
issues,†he said.
He said African nations should, in future, be able to negotiate with western countries as a block and that he was looking forward to a political federation for Africa.
The president introduced the subject as one of the issues he wants the over 3,000 delegates to consider.
He said the form of federo agreed on, must take into account the greater African integration and that the federal arrangement must have well defined powers at every level.
Ssemwogerere recently presented to the Constitutional Review Commission the views of Buganda demanding for federo and Kampala City to be included in Buganda.
The kingdoms of Bunyoro and Busoga also called for a federal form of government.
Outside the conference hall, a group of protesters displayed placards denouncing the National Executive committee (NEC) for freeing parties and demanded for the continuity of the Movement system.
“The Movementists say mzee you’re fighting rebels, but also “poverty†so another war in lower cadres†one placard read.
Another read, “The Movement volunteers will not allow multipartyâ€. The peaceful protesters almost turned rowdy in a bid to attract the President’s attention as they chanted patriotic songs but were warned by the Presidential Guard Brigade personnel.
Museveni said the question of the northern rebellion would be ended soon. “The understanding in defence has been a big mistake and we are not going to repeat it,†he said. He said the army lacked better equipment because of donor resistance to increased defence expenditure. “We are solving all these weaknesses in the army and some of the equipment which we didn’t have has been acquired.
Following a complaint from some delegates that they could not understand English, the official language for the conference, ministers, Oryem Okello, Andruale Awuzu and the director general External Security Organisation, David Pulkol, were made translators for Luo, Lugbara, Ateso and Akarimojong speakers respectively.
The function was attended by diplomats, religious and cultural leaders among others. The president arrived at the Conference at 11:00am accompanied by the Movement vice-chairman Al Hajji Moses Kigongo and the National Political Commissar Dr. Crispus Kiyonga. Ends