M7 is not serious about Presidential Debate—Mbabazi

Former Prime Minister John Patrick Amama Mbabazi has questioned president Museveni’s commitment to a live debate of presidential candidates.

While addressing media in Arua yesterday morning, Mbabazi said that he is also ready to take on Museveni anytime.

“Please know that President Museveni wasn’t serious about the debate. But as for me, I can take him on anytime,” he said.

The debate talk was started by Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate Kizza Besigye who invited Museveni after the later criticized the former on promise to increase teachers’ salary to one million.

Museveni who is the National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential candidate yesterday said he is ready to take on Besigye and Mbabazi.

“Well, debating with Besigye or anybody else, I have no problem. You can see am mobile with my mouth. I don’t leave it at home. If I left my mouth at home, I would be concerned,” he said yesterday, adding “So, am ready for Besigye, for Mbabazi, for anybody from near or far.”

Decries Intimidation of Supporters

Mbabazi also revealed that the intimidation of his supporters by NRM started on the first day of the rally. Mbabazi termed it a sign of fear.

“Intimidation is not helpful to the other side [NRM] but has potential of damaging Uganda’s democracy… other side (NRM) is also buying people with money to convince them not to attend my rallies. People are not commodities.”

Mbabazi also questioned the role of Brig Tumukunde.

“I don’t know who commands Tumukunde or where he gets billions he is using to buy people. He is always going ahead of me.”