Museveni appeals on NRM party leaders

By Mary Karugaba & Moses Walubiri

President Yoweri Museveni has appealed to NRM supporters to have pity on their leaders and reduce pressure exerted on them by the population.

Likening the leaders to a bicycle placed under the scorching sun for a long time, the President said the leaders need relief otherwise they will die of heart attacks.

The president however did not mention the type of pressure that the population is currently exerting on the leaders.

“Just like the way you remove the bicycle from the scorching sun and put it in the shed, the leaders should also be shown pity. The pressure you put on them can result into death. They need some relief otherwise, the pressure will reduce on the number of their days,” he said.

“Don’t put too much pressure on them so that they serve the country a little bit longer,” he said.

He was addressing hundreds of mourners who turned up for the funeral prayers of Internal Affairs Minister Gen. Aronda Nyakairima who died of acute heart attack on Saturday last week.

The president noted that it was a pity that Aronda died from a condition that could have been prevented had it been diagnosed in time.

“It is a pity that he died at an early age of 56 years.  He had many years ahead.  He has died from something that would have been prevented if it had been diagnosed on time,” he said.

However he said unlike some officers who die at 20, 40, Aronda has died at least at a time when his children are teenagers

He said the then National Resistance Army now Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has lost many solders but their memories and their contribution will not go away.

Quoting Jesus Christ and Muhammad, the President said although they died long time ago, their works still continue.

During the prayers, Aronda’s father in-law James Kahoza criticized the President for retaining corrupt individuals in government.

“Aronda hated politics of division and corruption. Mr. President, if you want to honor him, try to implement what he would have wanted to see. Eliminate corrupt individuals who are practicing politics of division,”Kahoza said.

“I don’t need to explain to you but you know it,” he said as his wife tried to stop him. “I am being harassed and told to stop,” he reported causing laughter.

Responding to Kahoza’s statements the President said “Kahoza leaves in Jerusalem but you don’t know what is happening.’

The President explained that the problem of corruption is caused by politicians who turned politics into careers.

“After the bush war, the revolutionists handed over to the civilians who are now taking politics as a career and not for development. Aronda represented the revolutionists,” he said.