Museveni threatens to close down radio stations

President Museveni has threatened to shut down radio stations that host indisciplined civilians.

Speaking at a thanksgiving service he hosted at State House Entebbe on Friday, the President accused his critics of using radio stations to create disharmony and de-campaign development projects.
“I will close these radios,” Mr Museveni said.
“We shall not tolerate any more civilian indiscipline having fought and contained soldiers’ indiscipline,” Mr Museveni said, defining the ‘civilians’ as politicians and critical religious leaders.
The function took place at a time Parliament was paying tribute to Cerinah Nebanda, the former Butaleja woman MP who died suddenly under suspicious circumstances.

Allegations that she was poisoned and the poor handling of investigations into her death, led to a fall-out between the Executive and Parliament. No MPs were in sight at the thanks giving, perhaps explaining the unoccupied seats, numbering about 100.

Mr Museveni, however, steered clear of Nebanda’s death, with only former Archbishop Luke Orombi bringing it up in his prayer.

“We mourn with the people of Butaleja when their representative is in a coffin and they are crying,” Archbishop Orombi said.

Corruption
Mr Museveni had visited Nebanda’s family three days earlier and said his government was not to blame for the death of the ruling party MP - an outspoken critic of government policies and programmes.

The President, who was not in the mood for humour, also blamed civilians for the prevalent corruption in the country.

“Who is corrupt? It is the civilians,” he said, “But they are all Christians and Muslims; they take Holy Communion.”

Mr Museveni and his wife Janet have made it a habit to host end-of year-thanks giving services with this year’s theme focusing on Living in the Season of Jubilee.

Orombi, who delivered the day’s sermon, urged Ugandans to work hard and love their leaders.
“Do not negatively criticise a leader if you are not praying for him,” the cleric said.

Comment on Amuru project
Seeming to capitalise on Orombi’s call to hard work, Mr Museveni said his critics delay development projects and deny Ugandans opportunities.
He pointed out the planned sugar project in the northern district of Amuru, which he said has been delayed by arguments about land ownership. He called on religious leaders, including Archbishop John Baptist Odama who was in attendance, to help out.

HIV/Aids
Returning to an old subject that is close to his heart, Mr Museveni expressed worry that HIV/Aids prevalence figures are rising again and blamed it on “confusing” messages including the call for male circumcision as a prevention measure.

Largely as a result of the “confusing” messages, he said, HIV prevalence figures at one spot on Lake Victoria, Kasensero, is 41 per cent while the national average is above 7 per cent. Kasensero is one of the areas where HIV/Aids were first cited in Uganda, killing several people.
“I don’t want to hear anyone talking about circumcision,” Mr Museveni said.