Government has termed opposition leader, Dr Kizza Beisgye and his so-called ‘People’s Government’ as a mere attempt by the four-time Presidential candidate to regain relevance after the emergence of opposition politician, Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine.
Ofwono Opondo, the Government spokesperson told reporters in Kampala on Tuesday that Besigye has for the last two years been overshadowed by Bobi Wine and his People Power movement. Opondo added that latest move by Besigye to announce a “People’s Government’ Cabinet is nothing short of seeking media attention which he has lost for a long time.
Last week, Besigye appointed his new ‘ministerial cabinet’ naming Kampala Mayor, Erias Lukwago Vice President. The other appointees include Salamu Musumba (Prime Minister), Semujju Nganda (Deputy Prime Minister), Ingrid Turinawe (Internal Affairs) and Mugume Roland Kaginda (Trade).
Others like Wasswa Birigwa, Ken Lukyamuzi,
Patrick Amuriat (FDC President) and Betty Aol Ocan (Leader of Opposition in Parliament) will serve on what is called the Presidential Council of State.
Speaker is Oduma Okello, Minister for Presidency is Wafula Ogutu with Francis Mwijukye as Junior Minister, State Minister for Internal Affairs is Mubarak Munyagwa while Nadala Mafaabi is in charge of Finance. Information Minister is Betty Nambooze and the one charged with Youths and Sports is Allan Sewanyana.
But commenting on the appointments, government spokesperson, Ofwono Opondo said; “We don’t consider Mr Besigye and his outfit as any longer credible, useful or effective to their own cause, let alone removing the NRM and Museveni. In 2011, he said ‘kigwa leero’ [it ends today], during his last campaign in Kololo. During walk-to-work, he said it was going to paralyze governance”.
“We don’t consider Besigye as capable of actualizing his threats. They are empty threats”.
He wondered why Besigye who after the 2016 general elections which he lost to the incumbent, President Museveni, swore himself in ‘power’ as President would conduct another similar ceremony with no elections having taken place.
“Even the People Power, something that is of no serious political consequence has succeeded in pushing Mr Besigye away from the media limelight. In the last 8 months, the media has not given Mr Besigye a front page story,” Opondo said.
On Monday, the Spokesperson of FDC responded to public criticism against the new cabinet reshuffle of the ‘People’s Government’ saying the so-called government was formed with the main duty of empowering citizens, raising civic awareness and mobilizing the populace to engage in non-violent actions that seek to weaken the Museveni regime.