Museveni donations can’t fight poverty, says Besigye

Dr Kizza Besigye (R) addressing a congregation at Prince Vincent Kimeras burial home. PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER KISEKKA

What you need to know:

  • Monsignor Serverus Jjumba, Masaka Diocesan Vicar General, noted that for years now, the government made several promises to the people in area which it has not fulfilled to date.
  • Ms Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo, FDC deputy president for Buganda revealed that their party is preparing to commemorate all their fallen comrades in the struggle with an annual memorial lecture.

Former presidential candidate, Dr Kizza Besigye, has slammed President Museveni for his ‘growing habit’ of donating tax payers’ money to a selected few in the name of fighting poverty.
Dr Besigye noted that Mr Museveni’s intention has never been to fight poverty but he is rather doing so to serve his personal interests.

“Do you think the poorest people are found in Rukungiri? We all know where the poor are. But he keeps on donating to bribe people’s approval as he is very aware that Ugandans are fed up of his leadership,” Dr Besigye said.
He added that leaders who fight poverty put in place clear policies which benefit each citizen instead of moving around with sacks of money.
Dr Besigye made the remarks while addressing a congregation in Buwunga Sub County, Masaka District where he had gone to attended the memorial Mass of his former ally, Prince Vincent Kimera, who served as the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party vice chairperson before he died in 2006.

The four time presidential contestant added that Mr Museveni’s habit of donating sacks of money is very bad as all the funds which could be used to deliver services to the general public are diverted and given to selected individuals at the expense of the majority.

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Monsignor Serverus Jjumba, Masaka Diocesan Vicar General, noted that for years now, the government made several promises to the people in area which it has not fulfilled to date.

“Bukakata road which is used to transport fish which bring in foreign exchange, together with electricity irked [Vincent] Kimera when he was still the area MP (in Bukoto East) and government had promised to deliver on them,” Msgr Jjumba said.
Kimera was one of Besigye’s closest friends who is reported to have helped him beat the 24-hour intelligence surveillance to flee the country in 2001.
Ms Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo, FDC deputy president for Buganda revealed that their party is preparing to commemorate all their fallen comrades in the struggle with an annual memorial lecture.