Rugunda Backs Besigye On Walk To Work

SOURCE: THE RED PEPPER, 31 JANUARY 2012
http://redpepper.co.ug/welcome/?p=28122

Rugunda's thoughts might cause ripples in government circles

ICT Minister Ruhakana Rugunda has said Forum for Democratic Change leader Kizza Besigye has the right to walk-to-work. Rugunda said police should let the opposition leader hold rallies and also participate in the walk-to-work demonstrations that have rocked the nation.

“Besigye, like any other person has the right to demonstrate as long as he does not breach the peace,” Rugunda told Red Pepper in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the National Consultative Forum for Political Parties last Friday at Protea Hotel, Kampala.

“Every Ugandan has a right to demonstrate and it must be respected,” Rugunda said. The statement could send shockwaves since security chiefs have insisted Besigye must not be allowed to walk-to-work. IGP Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura has insisted that Besigye’s walk-to-work demonstrations are aimed at overthrowing President Museveni’s government.

The consultative meeting brought together different members from political parties in Uganda. It’s chaired by Rugunda who was deputized by FDC strongman Col. Amanya Mushega. Electoral commission was represented by Sam Rwakoojo and Badru Kiggundu while opposition was represented by Abed Bwanika among others.

The meeting, which kicked off at 11am ended late in the evening. Journalists were kicked out of the meeting after tempers flared among the politicians from the rival parties as they discussed the code of conduct of political parties.

Rugunda was a few years ago sent to United Nations as Uganda’s representative to the Security Council in what many thought was a move to cripple the liberal politician’s attempts to form a political base in Uganda. On his return, he was deployed at the less influential ICT ministry.