Senior Reporter
The President of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) party, Gen. Mugisha Muntu, has urged opposition political parties in Uganda to devise new strategies to counter the financial influence of President Museveni before they suffer a fate similar to the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC).
Gen. Muntu made this plea while addressing party supporters in Bushenyi town at the conclusion of a week-long mobilization campaign aimed at strengthening party structures at the grassroots.
Highlighting challenges such as internal conflicts, mistrust, and suspicion within opposition parties due to interference, Gen. Muntu emphasized the need to think creatively to escape the financial entrapment set by the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and President Museveni.
After touring various regions of the country, Gen. Muntu expressed concern over critical issues like the shortage of drugs in hospitals, corruption in legal institutions, government agencies, and the deteriorating state of schools. He warned that the nation was on the brink, describing citizens as sitting on a time bomb while leaders remained concealed.
Drawing parallels with the fate of the Uganda People’s Congress in Ankole region, Gen. Muntu urged opposition parties to adopt proactive measures to avoid succumbing to financial pressures orchestrated by Gen. Museveni.
“Before we share the fate of parties like UPC and DP, the two oldest political parties in Uganda, we must strategize because Gen. Museveni is leveraging financial means to dismantle opposition political parties,” he stressed.
Gen. Muntu criticized the president for diverting funds that could address the country’s myriad issues towards destabilizing opposition forces.
“We have a duty as Ugandans to liberate our country,” Gen. Muntu asserted, emphasizing the importance of addressing pressing national problems rather than allowing leaders to repeat past mistakes.
Kassiano Wadri, former Arua Municipality MP, highlighted the alarming financial losses due to corruption, estimating over 20 trillion shillings annually. He criticized the NRM government for tolerating corruption and stressed the need for collective action to safeguard the future.
Local resident Ricky Kanyesigye in Bushenyi District noted that opposition parties, instead of merely blaming the government for the past 37 years, should take more effective actions.
The one-week mobilization tour in Bushenyi District by the Alliance for National Transformation covered all twelve sub-counties and four town councils, aiming to strengthen the party’s presence at the grassroots.
