Museveni betrayed me - Matembe

POLITICS | MATEMBE

Former ethics minister Miria Matembe has lashed out at President Yoweri Museveni, accusing him of betraying her her.

Matembe said initially she was convinced beyond doubt that Museveni was the rightful person to save the country, but he gradually changed.

Matembe, while delivering a keynote speech to selected district leaders from the greater North in Gulu municipality on Friday, said all the promises Museveni made, including dealing with leaders who over stay in power and rebuilding the economy of Uganda have been brushed away.

Commenting on the controversial age limit motion which was recently tabled in Parliament, Matembe said the action taken is a clear indication that the Opposition does not have a voice, more so on issues that relate the President's stay in power.

"I advise Opposition MPs to stop going to Parliament so that it is made clear that we are in a single party system," she said.

The 1995 Constitution of Uganda abolished single party system and it only recognizes multi-party system of governance.

"Museveni is so scared that if a cat told him he would lose power, I am sure he would bring a machine gun to kill it," she said.

The event was organized by Uganda Women's Network (UWONET), with support from USAID.

Moris Odong, the Gulu municipality speaker, confessed to having a changed mindset towards women after the training

The two-day women caucus symposium that started on Thursday and ended on Friday was themed: Enhancing Women's leadership for gender equality and women's rights.

"We have over 150 MPs in Parliament, but they have all decided to betray us by supporting Museveni's stay in power," Matembe, who is also co-founder of UWONET, said.

PIC: Joan Giramiya from Zombo district asked for support and regular trainings for women empowerment

PIC: Moris Odong, the Gulu municipality speaker, confessed to having a changed mindset towards women after the training. (Credit: Arnest Tumwesige)

Rita Aciro Lakor, the executive director of UWONET, said if women come together under a caucus, it would give them a chance to put their concerns together, so that they are addressed by the district.

Lakor added that representation in district councils should be based on issues affecting the people.

Justine Ocen, the Pader district council speaker, commended the initiative by UWONET to organise district women leaders to form groups.

He said their concerns are captured in their caucuses, even when they cannot speak in council.

Ocen promised to provide technical and political guidance to his caucus, so they can reach out to sub-county leaders and guide them on the council rules of procedure.

Lillian Masia, the chairperson of Moyo women district caucus, said since they came together, a number of successes have been registered, including inclusion in the budget to procure special maternity beds for disabled women and provision of a breast feeding room for district civil servants with babies.

"We have also influenced the district to start the process of coming out with an education ordinance and also provide sanitary towels to our mature girls in primary schools," she added.

At the end of the symposium, the leaders formed a regional forum for sharing and identifying strategies on how to address critical issues that continue to impede effective participation of women leaders at local council level.