Museveni statue divides Gulu leaders

GULU. The erection of President Museveni’s effigy at the entrance of the newly commissioned Gulu Main Market has split Gulu Municipality leaders and traders.
The market that was commissioned by the President on April 28 has at its entrance an effigy of him in a yellow shirt and a hat flashing the NRM party thumbs-up sign. The statue was made by the NRM youth in the district.
However, some district leaders said the statue is an early campaign strategy and implies that the market belongs to the ruling party.
They instead want Mr Museveni’s statue replaced with that of an elephant, a symbol of Acholi traditional heritage, or a famous Acholi leader.
Mr Moses Abonga, the Laroo Division chairperson where the market is located, told Daily Monitor on Monday that the facility does not belong to the NRM and there is no need for Museveni’s sculpture.
“This is a sign of early campaigns and showing supremacy that the market belongs to NRM party. We are having plans of putting up an elephant statue instead of that of Mr Museveni,” Mr Abonga said.
He added that erecting the statue at the market entrance is purely political, considering that the general elections is next year.
Mr David Ocaya, a retail shop owner, concurred with Mr Abonga.
“Our leaders seem to have been compromised by the ruling party, there are so many symbols they can place at the market such as a shield and spear that symbolise Acholi culture,” he said.
However, Gulu Municipality Mayor George Labeja dismissed claims that the statue was for campaigns and a sign of supremacy.
“Mr Museveni is the President and can have his effigy erected anywhere and it should be respected. I don’t see any problem with it,” he said.
Mr Labeja, however, disclosed that the statue of two elephants will also soon be erected at the main entrance of the market. It is estimated to cost Shs27 million.
Gulu Main Market was built at a cost of Shs28 billion and will accommodate 4,400 vendors.

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