Besigye warns Museveni on threatening competitors
FDC presidential candidate Kizza Besigye addresses a press conference at his home in Kasangati, outside Kampala, yesterday. Photo by Abubaker Lubowa
Kampala- Forum for Democratic Change Presidential candidate has warned President Museveni to stop what he described as a habit of threatening his opponents in the 2016 presidential race.
Dr Besigye who was addressing the media at his Kasangati home ahead of his campaign tours in Acholi and West Nile sub-regions said the president should be called to order that he is in this race as candidate Museveni.
“I think he is disgracing the office of the president by using executive powers to intimidate, harass or even threaten his competitors. There is a vice president who should and can exercise executive functions. There are departments of governments that have outright authority to act if there is breach of law in anyway,” Dr Besigye said.
While campaigning in Bugisu sub-region recently, Mr Museveni demanded Dr Besigye’s arrest for allegedly inciting people to encroach on Mt Elgon National Park.
Similarly, while addressing the press at Mbale State Lodge last Sunday, President Museveni promised to personally deal with the “thugs” who beat up his supporters in Ntungamo recently. The warning followed violent clashes between independent presidential candidate Amama Mbabazi and pro-Museveni supporters in Ntungamo.
Besigye said any breach of the law, does not warrant the head of state to enforce the law even in ordinary situations when there is no elections.
“So really, this question of candidate Museveni threatening his opponents must stop and I think it is a matter that should be condemned by all fair-minded people and all Ugandans,” Dr Besigye said.
