Babu tells Museveni, Mbabazi to stop early 2016 campaigns
Capt Francis Babu (L) with Soroti Municipality MP Mike Mukula (R) at the NRM delegates conference at Namboole stadium last year. PHOTO BY JOSEPH KIGGUNDU
Kampala- Captain Francis Babu has asked President Museveni and former prime minister Amama Mbabazi to stop early presidential campaigns.
Capt Babu, a member of the Central Executive Committee (CEC), the second highest decision-making organ of the ruling NRM, told Daily Monitor at the weekend that the road to 2016 elections should be levelled for all people interested in contesting for the various political offices.
According to Capt Babu, it is premature for President Museveni and Mr Mbabazi to be hanging their posters portraying their intentions to stand in 2016 before the Electoral Commission (EC) announces campaign dates.
He also said he had warned police against arresting Mr Mbabazi’s supporters.
“I am not happy with the arrests of people donning T-shirts bearing the faces of Dr Kizza Besigye and Mr Mbabazi. I have told police that the method they are using is wrong. They should not arrest people but instead ask them to stop putting on those shirts until the time is ripe,” Mr Babu said in an interview.
He added: “I have even told President Museveni not to put up campaign posters. I am not like others. When I talk to him, I don’t go about singing it. All people should follow the rules. The rule is for all of us. Stop putting campaign posters. Hold on until EC declares.”
Last week, the police, when asked why they were defacing posters of Mr Mbabazi over engaging in early campaigns but left posters of Museveni hanging in different areas, Mr Fred Enanga, the police spokesperson, said: “The President is the Fountain of Honour and he enjoys absolute immunity for whatever actions and enjoys structural advantages. You cannot just pull down his pictures under whatever circumstances.”
Mr Mbabazi announced his intention to run for president in 2016 early this week but Capt Babu has asked him to wait for their NRM grassroot campaigns which start next month ahead of the National Conference to elect the party national leaders in October.
