Eng. Winnie Byanyima has used the burial ceremony of his father and veteran politician Boniface Byanyima to warn her former ally-President Museveni not to change the constitution to enable him qualify to contest again for presidency.
Eng. Byanyima who allegedly had an intimate affair with President Museveni in the 1980s told thousands of mourners in Ruti, Mbarara district that his father was a man who was not afraid to speak the truth to power, something she said she will keep doing.
Eng. Byanyima subsequently took a swipe at President Museveni and his National Resistance Movement (NRM) members urging them to not to tamper with the current constitution.
“…President Museveni and NRM, don’t be tempted to use your numbers (in parliament) to change the constitution and deny us the chance for a peaceful transfer of power,” Eng. Byanyima emphatically said.
President Museveni who is on an official visit to Arusha in Tanzania was represented by Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kutesa. Museveni spent part of his childhood days at Mzee Byanyima’s home.
According to the current Ugandan constitution, anybody above the age of 75 is ineligible to contest for the presidency. The president has recently been asked about his intention to run for a sixth elective term but said he will respect the constitution.
Although he hasn’t been clear, his stamen suggests that he may not run for another if the constitution remains the same although it could mean that if the constitution is amended and the age limit close if lifted, he could run without disrespecting the law.
Eng. Byanyima, also wife to four-time presidential hopeful DR Kizza Besgye said that Ugandans should develop a culture of speaking out and not keeping silent about issues that affect their country.
“Silence to injustice is complicity, speaking truth to power is a necessary part of the journey of a nation Uganda that needs to develop,” Eng Byanyima who fell out with Mr Museveni in the late 90s said.
She challenged all Ugandans to speak the truth even to the most powerful of people.
“I challenge all people on all sides, people speak out, when you see corruption, injustice speak out,” she said adding that, “Justice is when instead of taking a few government officials abroad for treatment, money is invested in Ugandans hospitals for all citizens to access treatment.”
Mzee Byanyima burried
Mzee Boniface Byanyima was laid to rest at around 4pm by senior government officials including veteran politicians. He was 96 years at the time of his demise.
