UGANDA: Lawmakers write to Museveni to resign

In Summary

Accusations
The legislators alleged that President Museveni diverted over Shs100 billion from a British government grant intended for recovery programmes in post-war northern Uganda in 2008 to the purchase of his presidential jet without parliamentary approval. The MPs also want President Museveni to take responsibility for the withdrawal of $735 million (Shs1.7 trillion) from Bank of Uganda to buy fighter jets.

Opposition MPs leading an attempt to impeach President Museveni have written to him demanding his resignation before he is impeached.

Mr Ibrahim Ssemuju (Kyaddondo East) and Odonga Otto (Aruu County), who accuse the President of committing war crimes, delivered the May 16 letter last evening which State House dismissed as the product of idle MPs.

“Your Excellency, given your advanced age and let alone the achievements you may have done during your tenure, which this very impeachment would successfully undermine, this is to invite you to gravely consider resigning from the office of the President of Uganda advisably within 60 days,” the legislators stated in the letter.

The letter further reads: “It is our prayer that you take our submission seriously and urgently. However, should you decide to do otherwise, you will suffer the wrath and humiliation of the impeachment.”

Constitutional guarantee

The MPs also indicated that they are moving under Article 107 of the Constitution to impeach the President whom they also say has abused his office and violated the oath of allegiance.

“You misconducted yourself and misbehaved in a manner which we believe has brought the office of the President to hatred, ridicule, contempt and disrepute. You have also done acts and omissions which are prejudicial, inimical to the economy and security of Uganda,” reads the letter.

The MPs recall the President’s reported role in the dubious compensation award of Shs142 billion to businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba.

“The President played an evident role in the compensation process and wrote more than five letters directing that the money be paid,” the letter reads in part.

They also accused him of disregarding parliamentary resolutions and running a sectarian government where key government positions are held by his cronies.

At least 50 opposition legislators have so far signed to impeach President Museveni.

Impeaching the President would require the submission of a notice signed by not less than one third of the MPs eligible to vote to the Speaker of Parliament for the process to get underway.

But obtaining the minimum number of 125 signatures looks like an uphill task in the face of the NRM’s unassailable majority in the House.

Mr Museveni faced a similar though unsuccessful challenge during the 7th Parliament from former MP Aggrey Awori who attempted to impeach him.

Mr Tamale Mirundi, President Museveni’s press secretary, told Daily Monitor that he had not seen the MPs’ letter.
“But if it lands into my hands, I will just tear it and throw it in the dustbin or toilet because those MPs are idle,” Mr Mirundi said.

He added: “If they have failed to remove Dr Kizza Besigye (FDC party president), who is a perennial loser, how then can they call for President Museveni’s resignation. These are jokers who want to make newspaper headlines.
“If a person cannot steal from a deserted house, why contemplate stealing from a heavily-guarded baInformation Minister Mary Karooro Okurut also said having lost their bid to impeach the President, the opposition is now seeking cheap popularity.

She said the grounds for the impeachment are baseless.

Mr Otto and the Lubaga South MP John Ken Lukyamuzi first revealed their intention to try to impeach Mr Museveni in January, listing 74 grounds for their cause.

Source: Monitor, Posted Friday, May 18 2012 at 00:00
Author: Mercy Nalugo (email the author)
Author's email adress: mnalugo@ug.nationmdia.com