The Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) party presidential candidate Maj Gen (Rtd) Gregory Mugisha Muntu Oyera, has accused President Yoweri Museveni of turning Ugandans into beggars through a culture of political handouts.
While addressing journalists in Mbarara city on Monday, Muntu stated that Museveni has made the country vulnerable by using money not to support legitimate political processes, such as logistics, communication, or marketing, but to distribute cash to individuals.
Muntu argued that this practice has distorted the country’s political culture, making citizens view politics as a commodity that must be bought.
“He (Museveni) has forgotten, and I really hope the public does not lose sight of this, that if you buy people, even when you are a domestic operator like Museveni is, that means you have caused vulnerability to the population and therefore vulnerability to the country,” Muntu said.
He warned that the continued monetization of politics has created a citizenry and leadership class easily swayed by financial inducements, exposing the country to both internal and external manipulation.
“I really can’t understand how Museveni can descend to that level, much as he’s going to leave power. But what kind of culture has he left behind? What kind of leaders has he left behind? Leaders who would even sell or buy votes within their own parties, like they did in the NRM primaries,” Muntu remarked.
The former army commander and presidential aspirant called upon Ugandans from all walks of life to financially support ANT’s activities.
“People who are giving small amounts of Shs 2,000, Shs 5,000, Shs 10,000, Shs 20,000, or Shs 50,000, they are the majority of the people participating in shaping the future,” he said.
Muntu emphasized that once citizens identify a political party whose message resonates with them and aligns with their interests, they should fund it to help build its capacity to both win and manage political power.
He revealed that ANT intends to double the number of its leaders in the upcoming elections. The party previously managed to elect 50 leaders, including directly elected LC V chairpersons.
“In a campaign like this one, we have to get money to run the campaign at the national level for the presidential candidate, and also support lower-level candidates, the members of parliament, LC V chairpersons, LC3 chairpersons, mayors of towns and cities, municipalities, and councillors,” Muntu said.
He added that once the party secures adequate resources, it will strengthen support for its grassroots leaders across the country.
“Our intention, our purpose, and our focus are to build a grassroots-based party with leaders who are value-driven,” he concluded.
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