Besigye Insists: Elections Will Never Remove Museveni from Power

Opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye has reiterated his argument that elections will never lead to the fall of President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni’s National Resistance Movement (NRM) from power.

Addressing reporters at his People’s Front for Transition (PFT) or Red Card Front presser, Besigye emphasized his stance on electoral democracy in Uganda, rallying Ugandans to use peaceful options to remove Museveni.

“Elections will not force the junta out of power,” said the opposition kingpin.

“The country is faced with the challenge of coming up with key interventions.”

His statements came after the National Unity Platform (NUP) claimed it had been rigged out in the Kayunga LCV byelection held last week.

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Besigye also detailed the extent of the crisis Uganda was currently facing. He also suggested interventions. These include: the need for an education fund for all children in government schools to cushion parents from the financial pressures; a policy for child mothers borne out of the two-year lockdown; and a comprehensive improvement of the health sector as opposed to supplementary budgets. There must be a special fund to deal with the improvements in the health system, not just a piecemeal supplementary

The former FDC president also proposed decent payment for government employees and called for an end to huge salary gaps.

He noted that it didn’t make sense for some officials to earn as high as Shs50m per month when others are taking home peanuts.

The seasoned politician also talked of proposals for stimulus packages and recovery plan.

“There must be an urgent stimulus package that tackles taxation. When you put very taxes, tax avoidance becomes very high but consumption also falls. But if you lower taxes although you get little, you end collecting more due to high consumption,” said Besigye.

“There must be a special fund for private schools. We’re telling a lie by telling teachers to just go back to teach and earn what they were earning before only for them to strike later. We must step the remuneration of teachers to match the inflation.”