By Patrick Jaramogi
NRM flag bearer and incumbent Yoweri Museveni has come under attack from other presidential candidate for his remarks that he didn’t attend the first ever live presidential debate because he considered it a ‘high school debate’.
Apart from the seven presidential candidates- Prof. Barya, Eng. Elton Joseph Mabirizi, Maureen Kyalya, Amama Mbabazi, Dr. Abed Bwanika, Dr. Kizza Besigye and Maj. Gen. Benon Biraro, only Museveni was absent at the well-attended maiden presidential debate that was held last Friday at the Kampala Serena International conference centre.
But during a press conference at his Rwakitura home at the weekend, NRM candidate and incumbent Yoweri Museveni said he had shunned the debate because he was busy. “Debates were activities for school children,” he said. Though the inter-Religious council and the Elders forum that organized the debate have lined up another debate on February 10 Museveni said he would not attend because his rallies end of February 16, just two days to polling date.
Other candidates react
Maureen Kyalya, a former presidential aide on poverty affairs lashed out at his former boss for being disrespectful. ‘How can he say that the debate was for high school. He thinks he so much above all Ugandans and only answerable to God. Museveni is not God,” said Kyalya.
PDP Candidate Dr. Abed Bwanika said Museveni was a coward who feared to debate in the open. “He must know that as a leader is he accountable to the citizens and that day would give the citizens a chance to quiz him and account for the 30 years he has been in power,” said Abed.
President Museveni
Independent Pastor Engineer Elton Joseph Mabirizi supported Museveni’s absence saying he was right not to come. “It was his choice and it’s his opinion to say that the debate was for school children. But who doesn’t fear to get embarrassed? I am sure he would be asked why he is still contesting after 30 years and he would have not ready answer for that,” said Mabirizi.
FDCs Kizza Besigye described Museveni’s talk of the debate as being for high school as acts of “cowardice”.
Joshua Kitakule the secretary General The Inter-Religious council, the organizers of the debate said President Museveni was entitled to his opinion but said they would not be swayed by his remarks. \As the organizers we are pleased with the reaction of the population after the debate. It has given them (voters) more insight on who is best in articulation of issues that affect the masses,” he said.
He said despite Museveni’s remarks, they are going on with preparation for the next presidential debate due on February 10 next month.