Museveni remark on walk- to-work is careless, says Besigye
SOURCE: THE DAILY MONITOR, 18 JULY 2011
Dr Kizza Besigye has described as careless President Museveni’s remark that the walk-to-work protests caused the double-digit inflation and high commodity prices.
He said the President’s remark portray him as an insensitive leader.
The FDC leader made the remarks on Saturday while speaking at a thanksgiving ceremony for the Leader of Opposition and Budadiri West MP, Mr Nathan Nandala Mafabi.
The FDC leader made the remarks on Saturday while speaking at a thanksgiving ceremony for the Leader of Opposition and Budadiri West MP, Mr Nathan Nandala Mafabi.
While delivering the State-of-the Nation address on June 7, President Museveni said the opposition-led walk-to-work protests was part of the causes of the double-digit inflation that have since led to escalating commodity and fuel prices countrywide.
Mr Museveni said the walk-to-work campaign is part of Dr Besigye’s treacherous agenda to cause destruction and riots. However, Dr Besigye said FDC has no hidden agenda and vowed to continue with the walk-to-work protests under a new phase to be re-launched soon.
He advised government to consult economists to find ways of ending the current economic crisis. Mr Bernard Mujasi, the Mbale district chairman, also an NRM member, said the walk-to-work protests is against high cost of living experienced by all Ugandans irrespective of political affiliation. The main driver of inflation, Mr Mujasi said, is food prices that are currently unmanageable.
“The price of sugar now is Shs4,000. Is it only the opposition supporters buying it? Petrol is Shs3,900 is it for opposition or even NRM,” Mr Mujasi asked.
However, the government insists the walk-to-work is a ploy by some opposition politicians to gain political capital.
However, the government insists the walk-to-work is a ploy by some opposition politicians to gain political capital.
Former Information minister Kabakumba Masiko in an interview with BBC’s Network Africa programme in May, accused the media of mis-reporting the walk-to work protests and “trying to show that Uganda is now ungovernable, is under fire (and) as if the state is about to collapse”.
Mr Mujasi on Saturday appealed to fellow leaders to redirect the nation to good governance and democracy. The walk-to-work protests saw the police and demonstrators engage in running battles.
Several people were arrested in connection with the demos which also led to the shooting of at least 10 people by security operatives, including a two-year-old baby in Masaka District.
Dr Besigye and Democratic Party leader Norbert Mao were arrested and subsequently charged with incitement to violence and obstructing traffic, among other charges.
However, the security operatives attracted widespread condemnation for their brutal arrest of walk-to-work protestors including Dr Besigye, who was sprayed with teargas and pepper. He was temporarily blinded and taken to Nairobi and later the US for treatment.
However, the security operatives attracted widespread condemnation for their brutal arrest of walk-to-work protestors including Dr Besigye, who was sprayed with teargas and pepper. He was temporarily blinded and taken to Nairobi and later the US for treatment.
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