Besigye Has Hidden Agenda - Museveni
Milton Olupot
18 May 2011
Monitor
President Yoweri Museveni being sworn in after the recent elections.
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has said opposition leader Col. Kizza Besigye has a hidden agenda, disguised as a walk-to-work demonstration over the high cost of commodities including fuel.
The opposition has conducted close to a month of the walk-to-work demonstrations that have often resulted in clashes with the Police leading to death and serious injuries. Several opposition leaders have also been arrested and charged in courts of law.
Museveni, in a statement yesterday, said Besigyes walk-to-work demonstration is part of his treacherous
hidden agenda to cause destruction and ignite riots using alcoholics or hired groups.
I have been told of a man at Equatoria shopping mall who lost about $500,000 worth of goods. On the day, Besigye conducted his criminal circus on Entebbe Road, roadside fruit-sellers had covered their produce with tarpaulin, he said.
They were not selling in apprehension of looting. This will not continue. We are seeking everybodys understanding as we end this criminality using the law, Museveni added.
He said Besigye had tried to go to Makerere University because he wanted to link up with other rioters who had previously caused trouble by misinforming students that university fees had been raised when the matter had never been discussed.
Museveni said the Government had asked people to liase with the Police if they want to walk so that their walking does not interfere with the activities of other Ugandans.
According to the President, those who said the walk-to-work demonstrations were harmless were wrong.
Museveni said the Police were right to block the demonstrations as they had saved peoples property from being looted and destroyed.
He added that the protests not only scare away tourists and investors, but force the business community to close shops. Besigyes return from a medical trip in Nairobi, Kenya coincided with the swearing-in of President Museveni last Thursday.
Several of the foreign dignitaries who were here for the ceremony were reportedly inconvenienced.
-Source: Allafrica.com