HOWEVER MUCH MUSEVENI EVADES SUCCESSION DEBATE, ONE DAY HE WILL GO

Museveni evades succession debate

By Yasiin Mugerwa

Posted Thursday, January 19 2012 at 00:00

In Summary

NRM members thought now was appropriate time to know about the President’s succession plans but Caucus spokesperson said it was not on the agenda.

President Museveni on Tuesday sidestepped an attempt by some lawmakers to get him to shed light on the future of NRM after him.
Legislators led by Theodore Ssekikubo (Lwemiyaga) wanted the President to open the discussion on the succession question reminding him about the constitutional age limit for a President.

However, he chose to remain silent on the matter which continues to simmer in political discussions inside and outside of Parliament.
Sources at the ongoing NRM Parliamentary Caucus retreat in Kyankwanzi told Daily Monitor that President Museveni, who is also the ruling party chairman, excused himself and reportedly went to the washrooms— asking his Secretary on Political Affairs, Mr David Mafabi, to answer the question.

“The President is our chairman and we cannot continue pretending that the age won’t catch up with him. The earlier we discuss the succession question the better,” a member, who requested not to be named in order to speak freely, said.

“It was annoying for the President to dodge this debate and go to the washrooms. It was out of order for the President to ask his junior to respond on his behalf.” Mr Mafabi reportedly asked MPs “where do you want him to go? the President is here”.

But when contacted, the NRM Caucus spokesperson, Ms Evelyn Anite, denied reports that the President dodged questions on his successor, adding that the matter came as a by-the-way and he was not under any obligation to respond.

“The issue of succession was not on our agenda, it only came up when the President was talking about subversion. The President’s view is that instead of clamouring for leadership positions, members must serve Ugandans first. His view is that you cannot lead without understanding party ideology and he emphasised this matter.
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There are MPs who have been in Parliament for 15 years but they are still asking about the NRM ideology.” Under Article 102 of the Constitution, a person is not qualified for election as President unless that person is 35-years-old and not more than 75 years of age.

Responding to calls by the former Prime Minister Kintu Musoke to disband cabinet over corruption accusations, the President only said: “That was Mzee Kintu’s opinion” and left the matter at that.

President Museveni also repeated what his critics have described as a never-ending song on the fight against corruption in his government.
The President told his audience that the fight against corruption is legitimate and reiterated that the NRM government will fight and defeat corruption.

Meanwhile, 15 professors from Makerere University gave lectures focussing on banana processing, electric car manufacturing and livestock production.

ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com