Pundits have envisaged the end of an era in Ugandan politics, following the impending resignation of the country’s First Lady from active politics.
Janet Kataaha Museveni, the wife of President Yoweri Museveni, has called time on her political career after serving two terms as the Member of Parliament for Ruhaama constituency.
On Friday, the First Lady announced her decision not to seek a third term in office, according to various media reports, because she has “accomplished her duties”.
“I made a decision before I invited you here; I knew you would say this and that, but I am not coming to stand again. I know you still like me, but I do not reverse my decisions because you have said I should do,” a source quoted Ms Museveni as telling the meeting.
SUCCESSOR
She also refused to name a “successor”, a common norm for senior politicians in the country.
“I can’t come here to tell you who to elect. If I do that, people will say ‘this is the person she left us!’ But I believe the one chosen will be the representative for Ruhaama that you would have chosen,” the First Lady is quoted to have said.
The First Lady’s announcement is in complete contrast to her husband’s ambition.
Yoweri Museveni has led Uganda for the past three decades and is showing no signs of relinquishing power any time soon. The 70 year old is widely expected to seek a fifth term in office in 2016.
The Museveni family will however still be represented at Senior Government level, with the President’s son Brigadier Muhoozi Kainerugaba a senior official in the country’s Army while his half brother Salim Saleh is a senior advisor to the Presidency.
Source-nairobinews.co.ke
