A group of opposition leaders in Ankole have started collecting money for President, Yoweri Museveni’s retirement package in 2021. The opposition leaders say they decided to start collecting money to give Museveni a retirement package in appreciation for his good service to the country.
Mr Museveni will be 76 years by the end of his official presidential term, which makes him ineligible to stand for the top top office in 2021 according to article 102b of the constitution.
The group led by Mweteise Bintabara, the Kiruhura District Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party, told journalists at Freedom Gardens in Mbarara on Wednesday evening that it is time for Ugandans to witness a peaceful transition of power.
He explained that the people of Kiruhura have engaged the president on various occasion to prepare for a smooth transition but this has only remained a dream. Wilberforce Ongomu Ahimbisibwe, the former FDC candidate for the Rwampara County MP seat, said as the opposition they will not sit back and watch the country slide back into anarchy.
He says they will appeal to all Ugandans interested in witnessing a peaceful transition to contribute at least Shillings 10,000 each to give President Museveni and his family to cater for his needs when he retires from office.
He however, didn’t explain how they intend to run the drive. George Karamira, the Ntungamo District FDC Chairperson, says president, Museveni who hails from the district, should be considerate go into the books of history for having led the country to a peaceful transition.
Retired Captain Didas Tugume, the Buhweju District FDC Chairperson, says he was part of the struggle that brought President Museveni to power and wouldn’t want the sacrifices they made during the war to go to waste.
Daniel Kafureka, the Mbarara District FDC General Secretary accuses legislators pushing for the scrapping of the presidential age limit from the constitution for putting their interests above those of the country.
He says the people of Ankole are tired and are interested in a peace transition as soon as possible. Sadat Kashaki, the Isingiro District FDC Youth Chairperson, says they have been waiting for a peaceful transition and would wish to see the president moving towards that direction. He says the time for Uganda to have a peaceful transition is now or never.
Dr. Stephen Menge, a Mbarara based veterinary doctor says that Ugandans would like to change their history, adding that he is willing to contribute Shillings 1 million towards the president’s retirement package.
Douglas Ibingira, a political activist in Kakooba division in Mbarara municipality they also plan to mobilize residents to isolate members of parliament who are pushing for the amendment of article 102 (b) of the constitution that caps the presidential age limit at 75.
