Kampala — Miria Kalule Obote, the Uganda People's Congress (UPC) presidential candidate, has called for a federal system of government throughout Uganda.

During her first press conference as party president, Miria Obote said UPC prefers the appointment rather than the election of Buganda's Katikkiro (prime minister).

"UPC is aware that the Katikkiro has both cultural and administrative or political functions. In light of this, we believe that the Katikkiro should be appointed by the Kabaka. UPC has confidence that the Kabaka would be in position to appoint a Katikkiro who commands the confidence of all political parties in the Lukiiko and the interest of Buganda and its Bataka (elders)," she said.

Miria hosted the conference at the party headquarters at Uganda House in Kampala, a day before she kicked off her countrywide campaign trail in Bugiri district.

Miria, a Muganda and widow of Dr. Apollo Milton Obote, who abolished kingdoms in 1967, regretted the clash between Obote and the late Kabaka Mutesa II but said, "We do not think it is useful to the healing and reconciliation process to dig further for other reasons of the misunderstanding."

On reports that the Luweero Triangle people would not let her campaign in their area because of the atrocities her husband's government committed in 1980-85, Miria said she would not be intimidated by a few people.

"I am a politician and I am not going to be intimidated. The people of Luweero are among the people we wish to reconcile with. We would like to set up a truth and reconciliation commission and if anyone knows who killed the people of Luweero, they should give that information to the commission," she said.