Despite repeated denials by the opposition, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has insisted that some member states of the European Union (EU) are backing sections of Uganda’s political opposition with the intention of destabilising the country.
President Museveni specifically accused the National Unity Platform (NUP) and elements within the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) of harbouring what he described as “evil intentions” against both his government and Uganda.
Speaking during a media briefing on Tuesday as he concluded his campaign activities in the greater Masaka sub-region, Museveni claimed that some Western countries are unsettled by Uganda’s development strides and future prospects, prompting them to allegedly use opposition politicians to disrupt the country.
Museveni made the remarks shortly after receiving a group of parliamentary candidates from the National Unity Platform who had withdrawn from the race ahead of the forthcoming general elections. The candidates who pulled out include Godfrey Bainogisha (Ishaka Municipality), Mackline Kabugho (Busongola South), John Twino (Ntoroko County), Alish Amin Kanu (Lower Madi), Gloria Aciro (Woman MP, Madi-Okollo), Gadi Karamadi (Ruhama County), and Sam Koojo (Bunyangabo County), among others.
According to Museveni, his interactions with opposition politicians who have recently defected to the National Resistance Movement (NRM) revealed that many initially joined opposition parties unknowingly. He claimed that upon discovering what he termed as “evil plans” against the country, some chose to abandon the opposition.
The President went on to highlight what he described as the NRM’s tremendous achievements in driving Uganda’s socio-economic transformation through its seven-pillar ideological framework.
He said that by prioritising national security, improving social services and infrastructure, promoting agriculture, creating jobs, and generating wealth, among other interventions, Uganda has registered significant progress in economic growth and stability.
Museveni further challenged Ugandans to embrace the campaign for the East African regional federation, arguing that regional integration would expand markets for agricultural produce and increase earnings for citizens.
He noted that East African Community member states stand to achieve greater development and technological advancement by working together, and called on Ugandans to support his push for regional federation for the broader good of the region.
Separately, the President warned against what he described as selfish individuals involved in illegal land evictions, saying his government is preparing to take tough action against them.
Meanwhile, the National Unity Platform presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi, has consistently dismissed claims that his party receives foreign backing to destabilise the country.
Kyagulanyi argues that the allegations stem from fear within the ruling establishment over Ugandans’ desire to reclaim power after nearly four decades of what he describes as misrule by the incumbent regime.
On the campaign trail, the NUP party president has continued to frame his political challenge to the NRM as a peaceful struggle for political transition and the realisation of what he terms a “new Uganda.”
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