There is nothing wrong in getting money from NRM, says UPC

By Martin Kitubi      
                  
Uganda People's Congress (UPC) has said there is nothing wrong in receiving money from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) after all the government collects it from tax payers.

In a rather funny response to allegations that UPC could have received money from NRM to start what it calls a dialogue with government, Edward Seganyi, the secretary general of the party that received the reins of power at independence asked if there is anyone who does not need money.
 
"Who doesn't need money? We work every day to get money. The money NRM has is tax payers' money and one should receive it no matter how it comes," he said during the party's weekly press briefing in Uganda House in Kampala on Wednesday.

Seganyi added that individuals who leave their homes and hit the streets of Kampala and other towns to look for money every day should not be the ones accusing UPC of selling its soul for cash.

He claimed that UPC's attempt to engage NRM in a dialogue that could enable the party produce a president after Yoweri Museveni is a step in the right direction since the opposition is too weak.

Seganyi noted that the opposition, in its current shape, is too weak to defeat NRM.

"Who doesn't know we (opposition) are weak? All political parties are weak except NRM. If a political party fails to raise at least 50 seats out of over 400 in Parliament, then it is a failed party. That is why we are working with NRM," he said.

The party's national chairman, Lawrence Okae, explained that UPC's engagement with NRM is not yet formal, revealing that they will appoint a cabinet subcommittee that will raise issues to discuss with NRM.