President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has no kind words for the outgoing 10 Parliament because of frustrating his budgets which eventually stalled developmental projects.
The President said he was very polite to “that Parliament” because he never wanted to clash with some MPs who are also members of his party- the Resistance Movement.
Otherwise, he reminded those MPs that he has the capacity to say no to anyone. And his “no is a no.”
He made the revelation on Wednesday at Kyankwanzi.
The 10th Parliament headed by Speaker Rebecca Kadaga has on several occasions been on collision path with the Executive over what would be termed as “unnecessary and excessive budgets.”
At some point last year President Museveni called MPs traders after they selfishly allocated 10 billion to themselves, a statement that raised dust among legislators.
Museveni’s comments incensed Speaker Rebecca Kadaga who threatened to expose sensitive government expenditure allocated to State House.
But to Museveni, “all those games are now over. When we need money we shall get it and do what we want to do. And nobody will stop us.”
Museveni told incoming MPs at Kyankwanzi as he closed the two weeks retreat that he has capacity to say no to any one, only that he never wants to bring political problems to himself.
But now, “those games are finished.”
Museveni, while opening his speech commented on race for new Speaker saying Parliament doesn’t run this country.
He said the issue of Speaker will be discussed by NRM caucus and it fails to reach a consensus it will be put to referendum.
There has been hope that NRM will decide to front a candidate for Speaker after discussions at Kyankwanzi between Hon Rebecca Kadaga and her deputy Jacob Oulanyah.
However, Oulanyah who attended the closure of Kyankwanzi conference received a wild cheer from the MPs as Museveni recognized his presence.
As to whether the cheering was a veiled signal that he is the chosen candidate, it remains unknown.
Museveni reminded all those attempting to undermine his authority that he is serving Uganda in two capacities; “a repeatedly elected President and leader of Resistance Movement” a party in power.
