Prime
Byanyima calls for unity in Opposition
Joy. Left to right Anslem Besigye, Dr Kizza Besigye and Ms Winnie Byanyima collect gifts on behalf of the church during the thanksgiving service on Saturday in Mbarara Municipality. PHOTO BY ALFRED TUMUSHABE
What you need to know:
- Justification. Ms Byanyima says the Opposition should work together for the future of the nation
Mbarara. Oxfam International Executive Director and former Mbarara Municipality MP Winnie Byanyima has called on Opposition to unite and work together for the benefit of Ugandans and the future of the nation.
Ms Byanyiama, wife of Dr Kizza Besigye, former leader of Opposition party, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), was speaking at a thanksgiving and her 60th birthday celebrations at Byanyimas’ Green Cottages in Ruti Ward, Nyamitanga Division in Mbarara Municipality on Saturday.
“I am here for unity of our people; I’m calling on us to overcome our differences. Leave the small world of ‘I’m this religion; I am this tribe; think nationally and beyond,” she said.
Ms Byanyima added, “I’m sorry about the divisions in Opposition, I’m really sad; if we can come together and look for opportunities for our people; we don’t need to divide ourselves and lose opportunities, lets come together.”
She said the Whites are progressive because they put country first even when they suffer internal divisions unlike Ugandans and other Africans that focus on polarisations.
On jobs
Ms Byanyima also challenged Ugandans to pressurise government to create jobs for youth. She said she will not abandon the campaign for creating employment opportunities for young people.
“What hurts me is having educated people who don’t have jobs. In United Kingdom and America, the President gives report on jobs created monthly. Do we ask ours? What we do is clap and give them more votes,” Ms Byanyima said.
She added, “Youth don’t have jobs yet we don’t question leaders about that. Let’s ask hard questions such as where are opportunities for our children? Why are they not there? Let’s ask that every month; that’s my message. What I can’t abandon is to fight for opportunities for our children to get better life; I have also produced, you have seen my son.”
Dr Besigye, the four time challenger of President Museveni, said Ugandans should have hope that 2019 is ‘year of (political) action.’
He hailed Ms Byanyima for bringing up their son single handedly.
Dr Besigye said he lived with his son when he was in exile in South African for only one month, and learnt how tough it is to raise a child as a single parent. He was three years old then and he is now 19 years.
The ceremony planned for family members to express their gratitude to God.
Divisions
A group of FDC members led by Gen Mugisha Muntu broke away from the party in September last year. They have concluded arrangements to register another political party, Alliance for National Transformation. Gen Muntu said they disagreed on the strategy to bring change to Uganda.
Democratic Party (DP) and Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) have also had a bitter share of the internal intrigue which has led to parallel command centres.
Social Democratic Party founded by Mr Mike Mabikue was born out of disagreements within the DP.
Mr Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) is seen to be working independent of other Opposition players.
The December 12 summit of leaders of political parties under the Interparty Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD) was also another stage where opposition unity was tested. FDC boycotted the summit with the president Patrick Amuriat Oboi’s seat remaining vacant at the Munyonyo meeting.
