Uganda’s opposition is still surviving because of NRM’s mistakes

President Museveni has said Uganda’s opposition is still surviving simply because of small flaws and mistakes by his ruling National Resistance Movement party.

Museveni made the remarks on Wednesday during the Inter Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD) summit at the Speke Resort Hotel in Munyonyo.

He said that the opposition is riding on the mistakes and flaws by the NRM to garner support among the population.

“You opposition are surviving because of mistakes of our(NRM) leaders who don’t implement our programmes. If they were implementing, you would not survive,”Museveni said.

“Yes, we need to wipe out the opposition because you miscalculate. You allow the NRM to answer all the problems of Uganda.”

He however made a disclaimer saying he is not wishing bad about the opposition before adding that it was not a threat but rather an observation, calling upon to participate in the development of the country.

Museveni said that opposition politicians have abrogated the role of  taking part in solving the country’s problems like poverty but only focus on politics and seeing him out of power.

“Instead of talking about transition and small things, why don’t you deal with prosperity? If you participated in the development of the country, you would be good.”

Museveni added: “You should be discussing how to make families, companies and business people prosperous.”

According to Museveni, he is into politics not to be a ruler but rather to ensure prosperity and security of Ugandans and Africans at large.

Opposition parties ask for tolerance

Opposition parties that attended the summit including Uganda People’s Congress, JEEMA and Democratic Party asked that the summit should be used as an opportunity that would ensure tolerance from government towards them.

Democratic Party president Norbert Mao said the dialogue should lay a foundation for future meetings to discuss issues in regards the future of the country.

“Today we don’t know where we are heading but we have started with the journey. We have started first step and we are no longer going to quarrel about foam but substance,” Mao said.

“Let it be said by future generations that when faced with test to choose between chaos and dialogue, we chose the latter.”

JEEMA president Asuman Basalirwa said the main objective of the summit is ensuring they get assurance in regard respect of fundamental human rights and freedoms.

“We came here to achieve only one objective of getting assurance and commitment that this process will be one whose outcomes will be respected. We are here to get assurances that this country will have ensure human rights, freedoms of association as enshrined in the constitution are respected,”Basalirwa said.

“Some of the colleagues are not here because these freedoms are not respected. From today onwards, no activity, rally by registered political party should be blocked by police. Political opponents should not be taken as enemies.”