Peoples Development Party president Dr Abed Bwanika has called upon Ugandans to voice concern against the ill treatment of opposition politicians.
Mr. Bwanika, who was addressing the press in Kampala, urged politicians, religious leaders and other stakeholders to push for measures aimed at having a better country.
“Come and discuss the political situation in the country. Dialogue should be used, don’t keep quiet,’ he said.
Bwanika’s remarks come at a time when many opposition members are being held in prisons on grounds of ‘wrongfully assembly’ and he warned that if the habit of arresting those opposed to government continues, then the country will slide back into the 1985 chaos. “When doors of dialogue are closed, the doors of violence are opened,” he said adding: “We paid a huge price to liberate this country; we don’t want to go back to those bad days.”
He cautioned police not to misinterpret the phrase ‘regulation’ arguing that the Public Order Management Act, does not bar meetings. Bwanika further condemned the way in which former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president Dr. Kizza Besigye and former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi were held today saying that every political leader must have access to the electorate.
“ The people of Uganda are not owned by anyone, they are not Museveni’s property,” Dr. Bwanika stressed.
He called upon the diplomatic circles to come out and rescue the country by condemning the way government treats those in opposition. “You need to engage the president; this is not the time for you to support him (Museveni),” he added.
The PDP will host its Delegates Conference in Masaka on 23 July. Dr. Abed Bwanika will also unveil his manifesto for next year’s elections.
