{KABALE. The Go Forward independent presidential candidate, Mr Amama Mbabazi, has denied claims that he was part of the schemers who have been stealing the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) votes to deny the party flag bearer, Dr Kizza Besigye, victory in the previous elections.}
“I have never fought Dr Kizza Besigye although we disagreed politically. It is not true that I participated in stealing his votes. May be it was done at the tally centres where I was not present. What I can remember is that I failed to agree with Dr Kizza Besigye on the single candidate strategy under The Democratic Alliance. But the doors for alliance are still open,” Mr Mbabazi said.
He was responding to questions by callers into a talk-show on Voice of Kigezi FM in Kabale town on Thursday night. Mutemba Ndegye, a Rukungiri resident, and Mr Andrew Kanyima from Rukiga county and Peter Ruhonwa in Rubanda told Mbabazi that all the troubles Dr Besigye is going through were perpetuated by Mr Mbabazi and asked him to make a public apology about it. Mr Mbabazi did not apologise but continued answering a barrage of questions from the callers. He also denied accusations that he and President Museveni have “eaten” Uganda to the bone during the NRM’s 30-year reign. “Eating Uganda? How?” Mr Mbabazi wondered.
The callers also asked him why he decided to challenge the government only after he was sacked from cabinet as prime minister. They requested Mr Mbabazi to support the FDC candidate for the presidency because what he is saying now has been Dr Besigye’s agenda since 2001.
Mbabazi said it would be wrong to think that he opted to contest for the presidency after his dismissal from the government. He argued that his dismissal came nine months after the Kyankwanzi retreat that endorsed President Museveni as the NRM’s sole presidential candidate because they might have known what was going on.
“There was no way I could oppose the government I was serving but that does not mean that I agreed with everything that was being done,” Mr Mbabazi argued.
He did not respond to the demand for a public apology for being part of Dr Besigye’s tormentors when he was still in government.
Mr Mbabazi said the coming of Kenya’s deputy president, Mr William Ruto, to campaign for President Museveni shows that the President no longer has strong support on the ground.
“Mr Ruto is not a bad person but coming to campaign for President Museveni is against the law. Calling foreigners to campaign for NRM in Uganda shows that President Museveni is worried about his support among Ugandans.
Mr Mbabazi threatened to deal with Kabale deputy resident district commissioner, Mr Denis Nzeirwe, for blocking people from attending his rallies in Ndorwa County.
“Who is Nzeirwe to block people from attending my rallies? Who is he to intimidate my supporters? Those destroying my posters in Kabale town shall be dealt with because they are not above the law,” Mr Mbabazi charged.
He reiterated his pledge to increase salaries for the police, army, prisons and teachers and construction of staff houses.
On Wednesday, Mr Ruto joined Mr Museveni on his campaign trail in Kapchorwa district and went on the podium to canvass support for him.
SOURCE:DAILY MONITOR:[Mbabazi denies stealing Besigye votes in the past->http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Mbabazi-denies-stealing-Besigye-votes-past/-/688334/2992860/-/m77a3t/-/index.html]
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