“Hence, Hon. Kivumbi, stop maligning the President of Uganda for doing his work loyally. Maybe Kivumbi would prefer that I put that money for public donations in a private bank account abroad. Unfortunately, for Kivumbi, I do not have such accounts,” he said.
Mengo Shuns Museveni’s Groundbreaking of State-Funded sh58bn Buganda Clan Heads Building
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has condemned Hon. Muwanga Kivumbi for trying to tarnish his gesture of appreciating people for their good deeds, as he gives them brown envelopes.
“Hon. Kivumbi, the brown envelope Museveni gives to musicians, and such cases is called Kurongoora (rewarding people for some work done). That brown envelope is a glorious one. It is the official envelope of the Republic of Uganda, given by the President of Uganda to deserving People that have done something that is of interest- farming, singing or very elderly People I meet on the road,” the President said.
In his letter to the Bazzukulu issued on Saturday, President Museveni responded to Hon. Kivumbi whom he said was on TV trying to tarnish him, saying that the politicians who are bribing voters are copying from him (Museveni) who normally gives brown envelopes, something he said is not right.
NUP Esaddaase Bakaluba, Kkaadi Baakugiwa Muyanja, Mukono South Maseruka Gwe Bawadde
“I gave sh5m to a large group, maybe 50 people, of Bwola dancers in Patongo recently, with their Ostrich feathers head-dress and very elaborate dance that takes a lot of preparation. How can a reward for performance be a bribe? Why do we give bursaries to good academic performers or medals and even cash to athletes?” he asked.
He added; “The awards or rewards are, of course, given by authorized People; not everybody gives medals. The Kurongoora that I do to dancers and others, I do as President of Uganda, visiting Patongo once in three or so years. When I am a private citizen in Rwakyitura, I will not kurongoora members of the Public. Should Kivumbi copy Museveni and try to Kurongoora dancers with sh. 5million? Not at all.
The Hon. Kivumbi is not President of Uganda and has no budget for it. He can think of a much more modest figure for Kivuuwa dancers, like what People give as offertory in the Church.”
The President gave an example of a widow in the bible who gave a kapeesha (a copper coin) and Jesus appreciated her so much.
“Hence, Hon. Kivumbi, stop maligning the President of Uganda for doing his work loyally. Maybe Kivumbi would prefer that I put that money for public donations in a private bank account abroad. Unfortunately, for Kivumbi, I do not have such accounts,” he said.
He however clarified that helping very old People or somebody in a wheel-chair, is not kurongoora (reward) but kuyaamba (help).
Otherwise, if Kivumbi was not blinded by prejudice, he would have heard that the NRA/ UPDF for most of the last 55 years (ever since 1971), has been fighting for no pay or for very low pay; but fighting ferociously, winning numerous victories and bringing peace to Uganda and preserving it.
“Therefore, the use of money for politics, beyond the legitimate needs of logistics, is in spite of my vision and that of the NRM and our known practices and not because of us.
It was the broadening of participation in the Politics of Uganda (Parliament, etc.), especially after 1996, that brought in the culture of money, fund-raising, allowances, etc. We have always pointed out the dangers of that practice. If People thought that that was clever politics, they now, I am sure, see the danger. Let us all work together to eradicate this mistake. We have always castigated it.”