By Chris Mugasha
MITOOMA: The Minister for water and environment Gen. Kahinda Otafiire has cautioned the leadership of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) to reduce on ‘speed and move slowly’ if they are preparing to take over the leadership of the country.
Recalling of the many reasons that forced them to go to the bush to fight and liberate the country, Otafiire said their mission attained three major important things which include peace and unity in diversity.
“In what took us to the bush to liberate Ugandans, there were no basements. We went to fight for our people/Ugandans to attain peace, unity in diversity and okumanyana but not basements..” Otafiire said stressing.
He explained that unity means being patient with someone who doesn’t agree with you ideologically but later win him/her back.
Otafiire asked the PLU leadership not to tarnish the image/brand of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party using PLU platform.
Otafiire was on Saturday speaking in Mitooma district during the Golden jubilee celebrations and thanksgiving for his friend Fredrick Gorogoza of Sazinga, Rukararwe in Mitooma district. Gorogoza is a father to Kada Benson Mugisha a staunch NRM cadre.
It all started when the former Bushenyi district chairman Jaffari Bassajjabalaba appreciated Otafiire for his role in liberating the country saying, “recently I was almost getting angry with some of my fellow PLU members when they tried to attack you (Otafiire) over your political statements in relation to PLU.”
“PLU murekye kututera eiziina ribi itwe abekibina kya NRM,” “Don’t run too fast to make people to hate us (NRM). We want people to continue loving us and in good relationship like they have done for the last 40years” Otafiire cautioned.
Speaking in Runyankole idioms Otafiire stressed that ‘tutabatanga kufa mukatutanga okunuka’ literally meaning “we (NRM) should not die first and then you rot and smell first before us.”
Caption: Gen.Otafiire at Gorogoza’s celebrations.
“Ogwe omweshungo niharugamu okuriira (that joking may result into crying). When you see someone overjoking, he/she end up in crying in tears” Otafiire warned.
“For the last 40years, we’ve been in love and in good relationship with people/Ugandans but after your show up, basements and what not……have become a talk. Why are you running/rushing fast? Nimwiruka numuzahi? (You are running/rushing going where?)” Otafiire wondered before he advised, “The World is here for you. Move slowly move slowly…….”
The Minister went ahead to warn Ugandans to desist from using messages that promote tribalism and sectarianism amongst the population.
Otafiire congratulated the couple for making 50years in marriage before he donated them a heifer.
Speaker after speaker, Otafiire who was addressed as ‘Omusuuga’ throughout the function was applauded for his contribution in making Uganda a peaceful country and his current position on the ongoing political discussions in the Country.
On development, Otafiire said he is happy that what he pledged in his manifesto, most of the things especially water and electricity he is in over 80%.
“What I promised to do is water, electricity. I did not promise to attend your social functions like parties and burials. You don’t need to get annoyed with me that I have not attended your burial because I’m not a priest that when I’m not around the deceased cannot be buried or that when I’m not at a giveaway party, the party will not take place; I’m not your senga/Aunt,” a humorous Otafiire said. End.
