Caleb Bahikaho
9 October 2008
Kampala — THE mistakes committed by President Yoweri Museveni and his government are making the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) stronger, according to its leader, Dr. Kizza Besigye.
"Those who were still in NRM are now coming and they are even stronger than those who started the struggle of fighting the dictatorial government," Besigye said.
The FDC president was on Wednesday sensitising people at Buyanja sub- county in Rukungiri district on the party's grassroots elections, which begin tomorrow.
The FDC boss, speaking in his home district, said most NRM supporters who fought FDC in Rukungiri during the past elections were regretting they did not support his party earlier. He did not mention any names.
Former Internal Security Organisation director Brig. Henry Tumukunde, who hails from the district, fell out with Museveni when he was charged in the court martial for creating ghost soldiers.
Former health minister and Rujumbura MP Jim Muhwezi also turned critical of the NRM after he was accused of misusing donor funds.
Besigye said Museveni's falling popularity was demonstrated by his declining election results. He said in 1996, Museveni got 75%, while in 2001, this dropped to 69%.
"Last time, when I was in Luzira Prison and he was campaigning, he got 58%, which means he must go this time without question," Besigye said.
He added that Museveni could not effectively fight corruption since he is president because of corruption.
"In the last elections, every sub-county received money and salt to vote for Museveni. How will he end corruption when he is the one pioneering it?"
He said the World Bank report indicates that every year, the Government loses sh500b to corruption. "I don't agree with this report because the army alone lost this money in a year. What about other sectors?" he asked.
He wondered how Gen. James Kazini, who used to receive a lower salary than him could build a gigantic hotel in Kasese.
Besigye said the income of civil servants had been stagnant for long when the prices of commodities had gone up. Kitanda LCI chairman Charles Bagairusya defected from the NRM party to FDC.
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