Kyadondo East Member of Parliament (MP) and People Power Movement leader Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine has expressed discontent with President Museveni’s ban on relief aid programs by politicians.
While addressing the nation last night, in a televised address, President Museveni criticised actions by politicians to distribute food items to the population amid the coronavirus outbreak saying they are seeking for cheap popularity.
“They will be arrested and charged with attempted murder for exposing the public to risks of contraction of the novel coronavirus.” Mr Museveni warned.
In a Facebook post today morning, Bobi Wine believes the president is misguided and afraid of a hungry population. He acknowledged government position for showing concern by putting in place measures to control the spread of the virus.
“We maintain our position that the measures being put in place by the government to curb the spread of the virus are necessary- in any case most countries have already adopted similar measures, and we hope they will yield results in a short time.” Bobi Wine posted.
Bobi however said that Museveni government has largely focused on restrictions but has not put in place measures to make life bearable for the poor people of Uganda.
“President Museveni and his regime have deliberately impoverished our people. We have an economy where most of them live hand to mouth. Many of them are unemployed! Most families do not have savings to even take them for two days- they only work for today’s meal.” The singer cum politician ranted.
Bobi mentioned that People Power distributed food items to many impoverished people in Kamwokya, Kawempe, Kyadondo East Constituency and other parts of Wakiso, Luwero, Mityana, Mubende, and other places. According to him, the Pressure Group was going to roll out a chain of distribution (today) for food relief to all parts of this country through their coordinators.
“Now, afraid of the effects of a hungry population, Museveni, in yet another ridiculous move, banned our relief activities and declared that anyone who continues to give food relief would be charged with attempted murder!! This is an absurdity like no other. Our view is that if Museveni was not doing this for political reasons, he would have instructed the ministry of health to put in place standard operating procedures so that our efforts to help our people continue but in a manner that does not cause threats to health.” Boi Wine observed.
In his address, Bobi Wine also condemned ‘some elements within security who have made it their pleasure to beat and humiliate’ the people of Uganda.
He said that he has had to watch, with disgust, videos of LDUs and other elements brutalising people in the name of enforcing the measures instituted to curb COVID-19.
“We have also seen so many reports of extortion by security elements. This must stop. Pro-people security forces can work with civilian authorities to enforce the measures without resorting to extreme brutality. We pay security forces to protect us and not to torture us.”
