Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine of Uganda’s main opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) has spoken out on the issue of talks with President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni.
The proposal for dialogue between the country’s opposition and Museveni’s government has been mooted for long, especially as a way of discussing the way forward for Uganda’s political transition.
With the country’s transitions in the post-independence era being chaotic, dialogue has been touted by those fronting it as one of the surest ways to peacefully transfer power from one leader to another.
In power since 1986 when he took over following a five-year bush war, Museveni has ruled the impoverished East African country for 36 years and the question of a peaceful transition from the country’s longest ruler remains key.
The only formal platform for dialogue between the opposition and government has been the Interparty Organization for Dialogue (Ipod). But NUP has refused to join this organization, saying that Museveni’s NRM is not committed to promoting democracy and human rights protection.
Now, Bobi Wine has emphasized that there is no point in meeting Museveni over tea since, according to him, the NRM leader is interested in ‘buying’ opposition politicians to join his government and ruling party.
The singer-turned-politician, who came second to Museveni in the 2021 presidential election, has made it clear he does not intend to hold talks with the head of government, state and ruling party.
“IPOD serves no purpose. IPOD is a tea meeting and I have no reason to sit and take tea with Museveni,” Bobi Wine told a local television show on July 30.
“Dialogue with Mr Museveni is about how much you can get and that is not our style.”
It should be remembered that even when NUP refused to join the Ipod, it reportedly received billions from the same organization. (Read Story Here).
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