Uganda:
Besigye Attacks Museveni in New Article
After a pause to rest and recharge, Dr Kizza Besigye has reemerged with a harsh dossier calling for the impeachment of President Museveni for allegedly sabotaging the development of Uganda's energy sector. In a two-page article published in today's The Observer, the former FDC president says Museveni's hand is pervasive in all the scandals that have dogged the sector, from the first attempt to build Bujagali hydro-power dam in the late 1990s to the current procurement saga surrounding Karuma dam.
"MPs should revive the impeachment proceedings against the "president" under Article 107 (a) and (b). They should start by drawing up the many, very clear, and incontrovertible charges of abuse of office and misconduct (including acts of commission and omission) as provided for in the Constitution," Besigye writes.
In March this year, two opposition MPs tried and failed to raise an impeachment motion against Museveni for what they called economic crimes that had led to financial hardships in the country. Aruu County MP Odonga Otto and Lubaga South's John Ken Lukyamuzi had hoped to use the motion to make a strong statement about fighting corruption.
But Besigye warns that without Parliament taking a critical stance over Museveni's conduct, Ugandans will continue paying heavily for the huge scandals in the energy sector. He notes that the subversion and corruption evidenced in the energy sector vividly displays Museveni and his regime's "unpatriotic and perfidious intentions."
Besigye notes that over the years, government has entered into contracts with foreign firms to develop various power projects. But these agreements, he notes, have remained a secret to the public. This has given rise to corruption and bribery and in part, it accounts for the power crisis in the country over the years.
He says Uganda has vast renewable energy resources such as solar, geothermal and wind, which government has deliberately refused to develop. Besigye's article appears to be a direct response to Museveni's persistent criticism of the opposition that it sabotaged earlier efforts to develop power projects.
Besigye writes: "There's [will be] no end in sight to the power crisis in Uganda unless a more accountable, transparent and patriotic government takes charge."
Currently Uganda has an installed capacity of 814MW of hydro electric power although accrual generation is estimated at 500MW. According to Vision 2040 launched last week, government's target is to generate at least 42,000MW, within 30 years, to spur economic growth.
- The Observer (Kampala).
After a pause to rest and recharge, Dr Kizza Besigye has reemerged with a harsh dossier calling for the impeachment of President Museveni for allegedly sabotaging the development of Uganda's energy sector. In a two-page article published in today's The Observer, the former FDC president says Museveni's hand is pervasive in all the scandals that have dogged the sector, from the first attempt to build Bujagali hydro-power dam in the late 1990s to the current procurement saga surrounding Karuma dam.
"MPs should revive the impeachment proceedings against the "president" under Article 107 (a) and (b). They should start by drawing up the many, very clear, and incontrovertible charges of abuse of office and misconduct (including acts of commission and omission) as provided for in the Constitution," Besigye writes.
In March this year, two opposition MPs tried and failed to raise an impeachment motion against Museveni for what they called economic crimes that had led to financial hardships in the country. Aruu County MP Odonga Otto and Lubaga South's John Ken Lukyamuzi had hoped to use the motion to make a strong statement about fighting corruption.
But Besigye warns that without Parliament taking a critical stance over Museveni's conduct, Ugandans will continue paying heavily for the huge scandals in the energy sector. He notes that the subversion and corruption evidenced in the energy sector vividly displays Museveni and his regime's "unpatriotic and perfidious intentions."
Besigye notes that over the years, government has entered into contracts with foreign firms to develop various power projects. But these agreements, he notes, have remained a secret to the public. This has given rise to corruption and bribery and in part, it accounts for the power crisis in the country over the years.
He says Uganda has vast renewable energy resources such as solar, geothermal and wind, which government has deliberately refused to develop. Besigye's article appears to be a direct response to Museveni's persistent criticism of the opposition that it sabotaged earlier efforts to develop power projects.
Besigye writes: "There's [will be] no end in sight to the power crisis in Uganda unless a more accountable, transparent and patriotic government takes charge."
Currently Uganda has an installed capacity of 814MW of hydro electric power although accrual generation is estimated at 500MW. According to Vision 2040 launched last week, government's target is to generate at least 42,000MW, within 30 years, to spur economic growth.
- The Observer (Kampala).
