Resist government threats, Mbabazi tells teachers

Kibaale- Former prime minister Amama Mbabazi has rallied teachers not to succumb to threats from government officials to abandon their demands for a 10 per cent salary increment.

“If you teachers decided to let the struggle go, it is upon you because the increment was every financial year to channel a percentage,” Mbabazi said.

He was speaking to hundreds of people as a chief guest at the wedding of Buyaga West MP Barnabas Tinkasimire at Muhorro Playground in Kibaale District yesterday.

Mr Mbabazi said during his reign as prime minister, the government agreed to increase teachers’ salaries by 50 per cent and there is no reason why the remaining 10 per cent should not be given.

Negotiations between government and Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) have failed to end the one-week strike over the 10 per cent salary increment.

Mr Mbabazi asked the electorate not to vote leaders who fail to fulfill promises made during campaigns. He cited the Kigumba- Kyenjojo Road which had been planned for tarmacking by the government.

“I am really surprised that you continue to support leaders who have not met the demands made. It’s a caution for you to take lessons whenever voting,” Mr Mbabazi said.

Mr Mbabazi pledged that with the revival of his relationship with MP Tinkasimire, he will add his voice to advocate the speedy tarmacking of the Kigumba-Masindi-Kyenjojo Road.

“Roads in Bunyoro should have been tarmacked yesterday since it’s the rich region blessed with natural endowments like oil, but because you vote well here compared to Kabale and Kanungu where I come from, such leaders think all things are okay,” Mbabazi said sarcastically.

He said he decided to grace the wedding party of Tinkasimire because of the latter’s confidence in articulating issues of national importance.

“It’s true when I was [NRM] Secretary General, we did not agree with all the four outspoken MPs but I can confidently say I am with them in all endeavours,” said Mr Mbabazi.

He promised to testify in any court once approached and defend the NRM rebel MPs since they are still bona fide members of the party.

Mr Tinkasimire, Mr Theodore Ssekikuubo (Lwemiyaga), Mr Wilfred Niwagaba (Ndorwa East) and Mr Muhammad Nsereko (Kampala Central) were expelled from the NRM on accusations that they were undermining the party.

They were later dismissed from Parliament by the Constitutional Court but they have since appealed to the Supreme Court where their case is still pending.
“No one should block them in this registration. I am ready to tussle it in court because they are NRM and it’s me who designed the constitution of NRM,” Mr Mbabazi said.

Other issues
Mr Tinkasimire wedded Ms Tusiime Sandra and took marriage vows at Muhorro Catholic Church. The vows were presided over by Apostolic Administrator of Hoima Catholic Diocese, Bishop Lambert Bainomugisha.

Mr Theodore Ssekikuubo was the best man while Mr Niwagaba was the chairperson of the organising committee of the wedding party.

Mr Mbabazi also questioned why government has delayed to grant Kagadi a district status.
Several district leaders including the Local Council 5 Chairperson George Namyaka and Resident District Commissioner Samuel Kisembo did not attend the party.

Mr Mbabazi promised to tell Ugandans his plans for 2016 elections in the “next few days”.
“I have kept many people guessing on my next step, but now I tell you confidently that in not more than a month I will be declaring my intentions or ambitions,” Mr Mbabazi told a cheering crowd.

Mbabazi's sacking

Mr Amama Mbabazi was singularly sacked from Cabinet in September last year amid speculation that he was planning to stand against President Museveni in the presidential race in 2016.
President Museveni later said he sacked Mbabazi because he was carrying out divisive politics within the party. Mr Mbabazi has not declared openly that he will stand for presidency next year but there are sufficient indicators to suggest he will.

He has been meeting with Opposition politicians and or associating with them publicly.

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