Locals boo minister over Mbabazi

Masindi. Residents of Masindi District heckled the State Minister for Agriculture, Prof Zerubabel Mijumbi Nyiira, who was promoting President Museveni’s 2016 sole candidature at a funeral on Saturday.
Prof Nyiira, who started his speech with an eulogy and expression of sympathy to the bereaved family, later told mourners not to bother searching for an NRM 2016-presidential candidate as Mr Museveni would be unopposed.
“Do not stress yourselves, let us support President Museveni as a sole candidate for NRM party,” Prof Nyiira said at Apuuli Ruhaka’s funeral in Pakanyi Sub-county. Ruhaka, 52, was a prominent businessman in Masindi Town.
The remarks did not go down well with the mourners as they interrupted the minister’s speech chanting: “What about [Amama] Mbabazi?”
A puzzled Prof Nyira remained transfixed for some minutes, holding the microphone.
An elder, Mr Abdallah Sserunkuma, and Masters of Ceremonies, Mr Barnabas Byarugaba, pleaded with the mourners to listen to the minister in vain.
The crowd became more rowdy and demanded that Prof Nyiira, also the Buruli County MP, stops speaking and sits down.
When the hecklers could not relent, the minister surrendered the microphone. As he walked to his seat, residents clapped as a sign of their triumph.
Mr Mbabazi was sacked as prime minister in a lone Cabinet reshuffle on September 18. It is perceived that he was shown the exit over his supposed presidential ambition.
Earlier, mourners had refused to give Prof Nyiira a seat when he arrived at about 5pm.
The minister had to stand for more than five minutes before Mr Godfrey Musindi, the Masindi Municipality Councillor, surrendered his seat to him.
Asked about the incident, the district NRM vice chairperson, Mr Ateenyi Kanaginagi said: “The district executive has nothing to do with the sole candidature of Mr Museveni. It is the Central Executive Committee to decide.”

Mourner speaks out
One of the mourners, Mr Robert Kiiza, told Daily Monitor after the burial that it was not right for Prof Nyiira to talk about President Museveni at such a ceremony.Mr Kiiza accused the government of failing to tarmac the Kigumba-Kyenjojo road, among several promises made to Bunyoro region.

Masindi delegates Clash

Last Wednesday, the President’s supporters reportedly exchanged bitter words with those believed to be pro-Mr Amama Mbabazi in a closed meeting in Masindi presided over by the Minister of Presidency, Mr Frank Tumwebaze.
A senior party official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the chairperson of district NRM Entrepreneurs’ League, Mr Charles Mugyemano, accused the district speaker, Mr Ronald Kyomuhendo, of mobilising for Mr Mbabazi.
The accusation degenerated into a brawl as Mr Kyomuhendo reportedly threatened to slap Mr Mugyemano. It is said Mr Tumwebaze called for calm and told bickering officials he had not come to discuss Mr Mbabazi, but party issues.
When contacted yesterday, Mr Tumwebaze said: “The meeting was very successful and I delivered the President’s message of increasing household income. Like other meetings, there were some quarrels but the President has urged all party leaders on unite.”

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