“Museveni must retire,” – says Winnie Byanyima
Winnie Byanyima, the wife of Uganda’s greatest opposition politician and a four time presidential candidate, Dr Kizza Besigye, says that the President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni must “retire”.
In an interview held at their (Ms Byanyima and Dr Besigye) home in Kasangati, Wakiso District with Select Media Houses, Ms Byanyima said that President Museveni is a “hero” but he has served his time and must “retire”.
“We must help President Museveni to have a safe transition, lead a safe transition and leave power as a hero that he is. He has done some great things and we need to help him to lead his country and his party to have a smooth transition,” Ms Byanyima informed the journalists.
Besides being the wife of the Uganda’s opposition politician, Ms Byanyima is also the Executive Director of Oxfam International.
Oxfam is an international confederation of 20 NGOs working with partners in over 90 countries to end the injustices that cause poverty.
“He (Museveni) has been our leader for a very long time and has shaped this country in many ways positively. He has turned the economy around. He worked with the movement to bring about some democratic changes,” Ms Byanyima informed.
“He,” she added, “put us on a path of stable governance. Now it is time for him, according to the Constitution, not to contest again. It is now time for this country to have another leader.”
Making these remarks while addressing the press on Thursday, Ms Byanyima said that she was speaking in her private capacity as a Ugandan citizen, not any otherwise.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has been the president of Uganda since 29 January 1986. He is the 9th President of Uganda and currently aged 73.
Recently, the Prime Minister, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda made an announcement that the government would soon embark on the Constitutional review process in a bid to lift the presidential age limit, an issue that has become a concern in Uganda.
According to Uganda’s Constitution under Article 102, it bars a person from contesting for presidency above the age of 75, says Winnie Byanyima.
However, if the Constitution is reviewed as most of the ruling NRM party members seek, the age limit on the presidency is likely to be removed from the country’s Constitution, as they (the ruling NRM party members) want it – analyzed Ms Byanyima.
Being aged 73 at the moment, President Museveni will be 77 in 2021 come the next presidential elections, which by the current Constitution, he will be ineligible for another term. But, if the Constitution is reviewed and the age limit is lifted, then he will be able to.
“It would be unfortunate for the Constitution to be amended to benefit just an individual,” Ms Byanyima expressed her thought.
“The people who are proposing the lifting of the age limit, are supporters and members of his political party, that is dominant in the parliament. He is always able to convene his party caucus and ask them to vote in a particular way or the other,” she explained.
Reporter: Shamilah Namuddu
