VP Bukenya furious over Independent story

“They are bent on causing divisionism.”

The Vice President Prof. Gilbert Bukenya is furious over a report published by the Independent news magazine in which he was quoted as saying that in “his constituency, no one listens to Mengo” .

During a press conference he called to deny the said report published in the August 05 issue of the paper and written by Melina Platas under the headline, “Will Museveni yield to Buganda's demands ,” Prof. Bukenya said the relationship between Government and Buganda kingdom is a partnership and whatever happens, it wil always be a win-win situation.

“I don't think we need to divide our people in such situations. We must promote unity, not divisionism. I have full support and commitment to the Kabaka of Buganda. He launched my book, opened my hotel and also visited my constituency to congratulate me when I was appointed Vice president. Most of all Busiro north is very critical to the cultural institution of the kingdom and there is no way I could come up with such a statement,” he said.

According to the Vice President who is also the member of parliament for Busiro North Constituency, nobody can separate him from the Kabaka because they are great friends. He urged the media not to create divisions saying he loves the Kabaka, Uganda and the President of the republic of Uganda and its people.

He warned the Independent Newspaper to leave government, Mengo and Bukenya from their hate campaign.

The Vice President also cautioned against the continuous reference to his being a Catholic and a Muganda as the main attributes that were used to appoint him Vice President, adding, “There are over 100 members of parliament who are Catholics and Baganda how come none of them was picked. It is belittling to think these are the only qualities that are used to appoint leaders. Am very highly educated and my attributes cannot be only because am a Catholic and a Muganda,” he said.

Commenting on the roughing up of Wakiso LC5 chairman Ian Kyeyune by residents of Busabala road, Prof. Bukenya condemned the act by the residents and called for respect for national leaders.

“This shows the lack of understanding by our people on what political leaders are supposed to do. There are technical leaders who are responsible for making roads, political leaders only give guidance. The chairman is not the one who makes roads. It is very disturbing that people can do such an act on a national leader. I condemn this in the strongest terms possible,” he said.

Bukenya said he has no personal grudges against Eng. Kyeyune, adding that their differences arose from competing for the NRM district chairpersons post, but once that was settled, everything ended there. He said they have both met the president, the district leaders and councilors to forge ahead and promote development in the district.

On the issues in Bunyoro over land, The Vice President called for unity among the people and urged the media against publishing reports that excite sectarian tendencies, saying these are a risk for disaster and can create anarchy and disrupt peoples peace. He said the NRM government has been fighting sectarian tendencies and urged the media not to raise issues that will tear the country apart. He called for nationalism and unity among Ugandans for the good of the country.