Investigate Mbabazi source of funds - NRM youth

L-R NRM Youth League National vice chairperson Justus Nuwajuna, NRM Youth League chairperson western Denis Namara, and NRM Youth League deputy treasurer Edwin Agaba address journalists in Kampala yesterday. PHOTO BY ABUBAKER LUBOWA

Kampala- NRM youth leaders led by their chairman Dennis Namara have said they will petition the party’s disciplinary committee to investigate former prime minister Amama Mbabazi’s conduct and source of money.

Addressing journalists at the NRM party headquarters on Kyadondo Road yesterday, Mr Namara accused Mr Mbabazi of working with the Opposition as they vowed to ask the party’s disciplinary committee to act.

“There is evidence that Mr Mbabazi is working with Opposition leaders [former FDC leader] Kizza Besigye, under their Democratic Alliance to divide the NRM into two. We are going to petition the disciplinary committee to take action and if they don’t, we shall use other mechanisms,” Mr Namara said.

He did not state what mechanisms they would use.
Mr Namara, who was flanked by members of his committee, including the League’s secretary general, Mr Robert Rutaro, accused the former premier of blackmail against party members, including the party chairman, President Museveni.

“Where is the money Mr Mbabazi is distributing coming from. In Kibaale, we have some people being sponsored financially by Mr Mbabazi,” Mr Namara said. He added: “We need to know where the money is coming from. Where do you get money to spend in villages, in towns as an individual when it is not from the party? If we don’t even have it as a party what about an individual who is saying he is Mr clean?”

Mr Namara said security agencies and all Ugandans must take interest in knowing where this money is coming from.

“How do we know it is not tax payer’s money,” Mr Namara asked.

Responding to the youths’ concerns, Mr Benjamin Alipanga, Mr Mbabazi’s spokesperson, dismissed the claims as unfounded.

“I don’t know where they have got the evidence. But what I can tell you is that no money has been distributed by the Mbabazi camp,” Mr Alipanga said in a telephone interview yesterday.

On engaging in Opposition activities, Mr Alipanga said: “What we know is that some Ugandans have come together to form a loose alliance but he (Mbabazi) has declared publicly (that he intends to stand for the presidency). He is NRM and remains so,” Mr Alipanga said.