The Minister for ICT and National Guidance has weighed in on the ongoing debate about the opposition MPs who recently meet President Museveni.
Commenting about the matter, Baryomunsi blasted what he termed as myopic thinking that opposition members can’t meet with the president.
"Why would you fear meeting the president even if you are opposition? We have promoted a distorted democracy in Uganda and allowed a disloyal opposition to dominate and push positions of extremism and radicalism,” the minister said.
He added, “In multiparty dispensation, belonging to different political parties doesn’t necessarily mean you are enemies. You are all vying to lead the country but maybe you believe in different routes on how you can achieve it. Political parties are like vehicles that somebody might board a bus, lorry or bus or ride a boda boda and all are seeking to reach Kampala. You might bypass each other on the way but doesn’t mean you must throw stones at each other.”
Last week, 17 opposition figures met the President at State House Entebbe to discuss political tensions, national stability and what he termed the plight of young political prisoners.
The meeting, held last week, has sparked debate within opposition ranks. It was led by Mawokota South MP Yusuf Nsibambi of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and included legislators from different political parties.
They included Okot Bitek (Kioga County, FDC), Moses Kabusu (Kyamuswa County, PFF), Roland Ndyomugyenyi (Rukiga County), Fred Kayondo (Mukono South, DP), Richard Lumu (Mityana South, DP) and Ssebagala.
In an earlier interview with NBS Television, Nsibambi said the engagement focused on easing political tensions following a heated post-election period and promoting unity for national development.
“The talks were about easing political tensions and promoting unity for development and stability,” Nsibambi said.
He disclosed that the delegation raised concerns about hundreds of political detainees and urged the President to consider granting pardons to those imprisoned over political activities.
The MPs also called for an independent investigation into the continued detention of Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, the Buganda Deputy President of the National Unity Platform (NUP) and Member of Parliament for Butambala County.
However, Nsibambi’s decision to meet the President without broader consultation has drawn criticism from sections of the opposition, with some accusing him of acting unilaterally and undermining collective positions.
Responding to the criticism, Nsibambi maintained that he acted in his individual capacity as an elected representative.
“No one sent me. I am an elected MP, and I will engage with whoever I believe is necessary for the good of my constituents and the country,” he said.
Baryomunsi insisted there is no reason for the opposition not meeting the president.
“He is the president of the country and has won the election. Maybe the opposition want to push ideas to the president. If we are to build durable democracy, we must build culture of tolerance and mutual respect so that if I am NRM and you are opposition, there should be space for us to meet.”
