“It’s High Time That Ugandans Step Up To Save Old Gen Moses Ali From Museveni’s Selfish Hands” Erais Lukwago Openly Tells

Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has called on Ugandans to take legal action against the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), accusing it of exploiting the elderly Deputy Prime Minister Gen. Moses Ali for political gain. Speaking during a weekend political talk show on Buganda Kingdom’s CBS radio, Lukwago argued that Gen. Ali, due to his advanced age, is no longer capable of making independent political decisions, yet the NRM continues to use him for its own benefit.

Lukwago drew a comparison between Gen. Ali’s situation and a legal scenario where a court steps in to prevent an elderly or ailing person from managing their own affairs, appointing someone with a sound mind to take charge. He stated that the NRM should have allowed Gen. Ali to retire with dignity, but instead, President Museveni has kept him in politics, claiming that age is not a barrier to leadership. Lukwago urged Ugandans to file a case on behalf of Gen. Ali, stating that such action would protect both him and the people of Adjumani, who, according to Lukwago, deserve fresh and capable representation.

During the radio show, Lukwago did not hold back in his criticism of President Museveni, accusing him of “bastardizing” politics in Uganda. He claimed that Museveni allows unserious presidential candidates to run simply to present a comparison, thereby making voters believe that he remains the only “serious” choice for the presidency.

To illustrate this, Lukwago pointed to a candidate who showed up at the Electoral Commission in ragged shorts, allegedly cut with scissors, and claimed his wife had replaced his academic certificates with hers. The same candidate was also spotted eating chapati and beans at the EC offices, which Lukwago suggested was a deliberate tactic to make the presidency appear like a joke, reinforcing the idea that Museveni is the only qualified leader, despite the growing public frustration over his long reign.

Joining Lukwago on the panel was Kimanya-Kabonera MP and three-time presidential candidate Dr. Abed Bwanika, who revealed that he is preparing a private member’s bill aimed at preventing unserious individuals from contesting the presidency. Bwanika shared his intention to seek permission from the Speaker of Parliament to present the bill when Parliament resumes, arguing that such a move would help protect Uganda’s international reputation and ensure that only serious candidates are allowed to run for the top office.

Bwanika also took the opportunity to criticize National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi, accusing him of only discussing Uganda’s fertile soil when asked about the country’s democratic state on international television. Lukwago and other panelists, however, disagreed with Bwanika, stating that Kyagulanyi’s comments were part of a more detailed explanation and not as superficial as Bwanika suggested.

The discussion highlighted deep concerns regarding the state of Uganda’s political landscape, particularly the exploitation of elderly politicians and the rise of unserious candidates in national elections. Many on the panel called for reforms to restore dignity, integrity, and accountability in Uganda’s political process, urging leaders to act to preserve the nation’s political future.