Daniel Edyegu
4 January 2009
Kampala — PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has said he has no time to socialise with members of the opposition who derail development.
Museveni said he would rather attend to the challenges facing Uganda and Africa than waste time with opposition members, who are unhappy with the progress of the country.
"I am an extremist, there is no doubt about that. I don't have two sides. You are not on our side politically - out. I have no time to socialise with people in the opposition. There are a lot of problems in Uganda and Africa that need redress. If I can't get time to even socialise with my own people, where do I get the time to socialise with the opposition?" he asked.
Speaking during the last funeral rites of former minister for foreign affairs, James Wapakhabulo, the President said he can only dedicate his tight work schedule to developmental issues.
The funeral rites were held on Saturday at Mafudu village, Sironko district. Several leaders, including the leader of the opposition in Parliament, Prof. Ogenga Latigo, attended the ceremony.
Last funeral rites of four other members of the Wapakhabulo family were also held. They were for Paulo Namawa, who was a senior Police officer, Dan Namawa, Moses Wambogo and Francis Wapakhabulo.
Museveni's comments were in response to remarks made earlier by Amanya Mushega, who spoke on behalf of Wapakhabulo's friends.
Mushega, the former Secretary General of the East African Community, described Wapakhabulo as an astute politician who associated with all people irrespective of their political affiliations.
"As chairman of the constituent Assembly, he conducted matters in a fair and balanced manner. He did not treat those in other political parties as enemies. As such, he easily ascended to become the speaker of parliament. He was simple, humble, but informed and firm," Mushega said.
"He was consumed by national issues and service delivery not just mere issues of Mbale where he came from. In fact to some of his close friends and colleagues, it was very difficult to tell whether he was from Mbale," Mushega said.
Museveni also paid glowing tribute to Wapakhabulo, describing him as a patriot, a nationalist and a pan-Africanist who, with other freedom fighters, were dedicated to people's and not personal goals.
He said Wapakhabulo was appointed to various senior government posts because he was not only devoted but also a person of substance.
Museveni recounted how he almost fell out with Wapakhabulo at Dar-es-salaam University in the 1960s shortly after they had formed the Uganda Students African Revolutionary Front, where he was elected chairman and Wapakhabulo a member.
He recalled that due to the commitment of its members, the pan-African student's group became the centre of admiration for many people including the late president of South Sudan, John Garang.
Wapakhabulo, popularly known as Wapa, died after a stroke at his home in Bugolobi, Kampala in March 2004.
He was also the second deputy premier, Mbale municipality MP and the national political commissar.
He steered the Constituent Assembly as chairman between 1994-95 before he later became the speaker of the 6th Parliament between 1996-2001.
Museveni said when he seized power in 1986, he invited Wapakhabulo from exile in Papua New Guinea to become the minister of cooperatives. He commended Wapakhabulo for his contribution towards the liberalisation of the coffee and cotton sectors in the country.
"The purchase of cotton and coffee was the monopoly of the Coffee Marketing Board and the Lint Marketing Board. Despite facing stiff opposition, Wapakhabulo pushed the idea of liberalising the purchase and sale of these cash crops."
In response to the request by the Budadiri West MP, Nandala Mafabi, to put up a school, hospital or road in memory of the late Wapakhabulo, Museveni said he would discus the issue with the widow.
Museveni urged Wapakhabulo's children to carry on the legacy of their father. "Life is about continuity. All of us will die. But what shouldn't die is continuity. So Wapakhabulo still lives on through his children."
Museveni thanked the in-laws of the late Wapakhabulo from Iringa in Tanzania for coming for the ceremony.
"Tanzania and Zambia stood by us in the struggle to oust bad regimes in Uganda," he said and asked the Tanzanian delegation to convey greetings from Uganda to the people of Tanzania.
The President said the Mbale-Magale-Bumbo road would be tarmacked and electricity extended to the area.
David Lumumba Wamboga, the heir to the late Wapakhabulo, was introduced to the President during the ceremony. He commended the Government for helping the family.
Those who attended the ceremony included the deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, former Vice-President Specioza Kazibwe, the minister for the presidency, Beatrice Wabudeya, the Sironko district chairman, Wambi Kibale and MPs Fred Bukeni and Wilfred Kajeke.
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