The deputy secretary general of Uganda’s ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party, Richard Todwong, has told three-decade president Yoweri Museveni to deal with corruption or else the people will push him from power.
Speaking at Entebbe in a meeting hosted by members of the Inter-religious Council of Uganda to explore actions and strategies needed to fast-track the talks’ process, Todwong revealed some of the reasons why the NRM party will fall out of favour.
“Corruption, greed and nepotism are things that are making Ugandans more disgusted in the leadership of our party in government. I’m speaking to you this because I know. I have to be honest because my church told me to be honest. I have told this to the president. If we don’t control our greed and how we use public resources, then Ugandans will push us out of power,” he says.
“The hills of Kampala are expanding with buildings but schools, health centers are shrinking, so where do people get this money from and who are the owners of these structures we see around? They belong to ministers, commissioners, permanent secretaries, directors so people get disgusted,” he wondered.
Religious leaders underscored the need for citizens’ participation in the proposed national dialogue to be launched later this year.
Mr Todwong urged for the process not to be politicized, saying the processes always leaned towards transition of power.
According to him, President Museveni has been a key player in the politics of the region.
“And as we manage that process [of transition], there are people who see him (Museveni) as god and they are very interested in what takes place in Uganda. We need to manage greed. During the debate of transition, those in positions of leadership might want to collect as much as they can because it’s their last chance in power,” he added.
