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| Amama Mbabazi |
It is a theme that keeps spurring debate wherever he goes.
But speaking in Kanungu district on January 22, Prime Minister Amama
Mbabazi for the umpteenth time said that he would run for president in
2016, only if President Museveni decided not to contest.
What he did not dispel, however, is that he habours presidential
ambitions, which he said he can only exercise within the structures of
the NRM.
Our sources told us that Mbabazi, who is also the NRM secretary
general, told a gathering at Kihiihi trading centre in Kanungu district
that Museveni was still a capable leader.
"I have worked with President Museveni since 1972. I am a strong NRM
from my head to the toe and I can tell you that he [Museveni] is a good
leader," Mbabazi reportedly said.
But he quickly added: "If the party decides that Mbabazi should lead us, I will do so gladly."
Sources told us that Mbabazi's remarks were triggered by a question
from a local businessman, Benson Karab, who asked the premier to clarify
on reports that he was readying himself to take on Museveni.
Karab, the secretary for traders in Kihihi, told The Observer by
telephone on Saturday that he felt that Mbabazi needed to be clear on
this because there were fears that the party could split.
"We want to get it from the horse's mouth because we have been hearing a lot [about Mbabazi standing in 2016].
The Observer understands that for a week, Mbabazi traversed his
constituency, inspecting various development projects. While Mbabazi's
assertions and his response are not new, they signify the mounting
speculation that seems never to go away, that the prime minister could
take on his boss come 2016.
We reported last week that Christmas cards Mbabazi sent out to party
leaders in the districts had caused disquiet among some NRM MPs, who
suspect that he is trying to lay the groundwork for his ambitions.
Over the last couple of years, there have been reports of a strained working relationship between Museveni and Mbabazi.
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