Prime
‘Only God will unseat Museveni’
Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni . File photo
What you need to know:
- President Museveni, 72, came to power in 1986 through a guerilla war.
- Mr Museveni will be 77 years in 2021 and ineligible to stand because currently, the Constitutional age limit for President is 75 years.
Bushenyi. Minister without Portfolio Abdul Naduli has told critics of President Museveni’s long stay in power that God who made him President is the one to decide when he should go.
Mr Naduli was speaking at belated independence celebrations in Bushenyi held at Kizinda playground in Ishaka Town on Tuesday.
He said Mr Museveni was brought by God as Uganda’s liberator and the work he came to do is incomplete.
“Museveni is anointed by God to lead Uganda, according to what I have experienced with him from the time we met. I am two years older than him and you can see how energetic I am. The man is still strong but I have unfortunately seen some of you sharpen pangas [machete] and spears ready to kill him,” he said.
He added: “Don’t crucify Museveni like the Hebrews did to Jesus. He was born among them, performed miracles and did good things but they ended up crucifying him. Leave Museveni alone.”
He asked the people of Bushenyi to work hard for development for Uganda to achieve the middle income status. He also warned leaders against stealing government money, saying they will be prosecuted.
Closer look. Mr Abdul Naduli inspects lightning arrestors donated by Bushenyi Lions Club to schools in Bushenyi on Tuesday. Photo Zadock Amanyisa
Bushenyi District chairman Jaffari Basajjabalaba urged the residents to “jealously guard peace, unity and all development infrastructure ushered in by Mr Museveni and NRM government,” and work hard for their economic independence.
Last month, while addressing Front for National Salvation members in Rwanyamahembwe Sub-County Kashari South at the home of former western region chairman Edward Bashaija Mr Nadduli, Mr Naduli said he should be allowed direct access to the President to brief him about what he called “serious issues and developments” in the country.
The minister accused “some people” of keeping President Museveni in the dark of whatever was going on in the country for selfish interests.
The background
Coming to power. President Museveni, 72, came to power in 1986 through a guerrilla war.
Critics say. His critics and political opponents say the President, who will have ruled Uganda for 35 years when his current term expires in 2021, ought to have retired to allow other players with fresh ideas to drive the country.
Past and future. The 1995 Constitution provided for two terms for President but the law was amended and term limits removed in 2005.
Mr Museveni will be 77 years in 2021 and ineligible to stand because currently, the Constitutional age limit for President is 75 years.
