Some National Resistance Movement legislators are irked by remarks their chairman, President Yoweri Museveni, made on the perceived succession battle within the ruling party, saying they need reforms.
Museveni, while meeting party task force officials from Buganda region on Thursday last week, noted that he would only retire after identifying a successor with focus and with a similar ideology to his.
Now some MPs are vexed by Museveni’s comment, referring to it as ridicule to other capable Ugandans who can hold the same position.
Lwemiyaga County MP Theodore Ssekikubo says that Museveni, who has been the party chairperson since 1981, is responsible for the infighting. He accused the president of being involved in self-perpetuation in the guise of a patriotic and benevolent leader.
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Raphael Magyezi, the Igara West MP and his Igara East counterpart Michael Mawanda, observe that the party needs reforms to build and nurture leadership. They contend that the current structures in the party symbolises Museveni’s failure since none of the individuals, according to the president, qualifies to be the next NRM chairperson. The two blame Museveni for immobilising the party structures which are only active during election years.
Magyezi says that the party is already experiencing ideological contradictions where districts are dished out along tribal lines, and expanding administration in the new districts at the expense of the service delivery.
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The 1995 Constitution stipulates that a person is not qualified for election as President unless that person is not less than 35 years and not more than 75 years of age.
Democratic Party President Norbert Mao says that the citizens have the authority to decide who succeeds who, saying that Uganda is not a Monarchy.
In May, President Museveni was quoted as saying that he will retire when he turns 75 years. At the next elections in 2016, Museveni will be 72 years, way below the 75 years which is the limit.
There have been internal wrangles with the NRM with some observers linking them to a subtle battle to succeed Museveni. Mike Mukula, the NRM Eastern Region Vice chairperson, is so far the only official within NRM that has publicly declared his interest. Others being mentioned to be in the succession queue include the First Lady Janet Museveni, Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi and the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga.
