Museveni Criticizes Kivumbi Over Bribery Claims, Defends Presidential Rewards

Museveni Blasts Kivumbi Over Bribery Claims, Defends Presidential Rewards

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has sharply criticized Hon. Muhammad Kivumbi (MP for Butambala) after he accused the President of promoting voter bribery through the use of “brown envelopes” during a recent televised discussion. Museveni responded with a detailed four-page statement on Saturday, in which he rebuffed Kivumbi’s claims, defending the presidential rewards as part of a long-standing tradition of appreciating exceptional individuals in Uganda.

What Are Presidential Rewards?

Museveni explained that the so-called “brown envelope” is a symbol of recognition, not a tool for corruption. He highlighted the practice of Kurongoora, a traditional form of rewarding individuals for their contributions in various fields such as music, agriculture, and community service. These rewards are not intended to influence elections, he stressed.

“How can a reward for performance be a bribe?” Museveni questioned, drawing a parallel with awarding bursaries to top students or medals to athletes, emphasizing that such gestures are about recognizing achievement, not corrupt inducement.

Kivumbi’s Misunderstanding

The President continued, accusing Kivumbi of misrepresenting the rewards as bribes. He pointed out that during a recent visit to Patongo, he had given a Shs 5 million gift to a cultural dance troupe as a national gesture of appreciation, not to secure votes. “This was not about vote-buying. It was about supporting cultural performers,” Museveni remarked, noting that his interaction with the public is rooted in genuine appreciation.

He further mocked Kivumbi’s comparison to himself, stating, “When I am a private citizen, I will not ‘kurongoora’ members of the public. Should Kivumbi copy Museveni and try to ‘kurongoora’ dancers with Shs 5 million? Not at all,” Museveni said, implying that only the President, with his mandate, has the authority to provide such rewards.

Historical Context and Political Critique

Museveni used the opportunity to reflect on the broader political context of money in Ugandan politics. He acknowledged that the culture of using money for political purposes has grown since 1996, particularly with the increasing number of political participants. However, he reiterated that the NRM has consistently condemned vote-buying and electoral bribery, emphasizing that such practices go against his vision for the country.

He expressed disappointment in Kivumbi’s lack of understanding of the NRM’s history and its principles, particularly the party’s long-standing commitment to eradicating electoral fraud. The President underscored that the NRM is actively working to address the challenges of internal electoral malpractice, revealing that 333 individuals were arrested in connection with party primaries in July, with 48 facing formal charges.

Museveni’s Rejection of Bribery Allegations

Museveni concluded his statement by asserting that Kivumbi’s remarks were a misunderstanding of the distinction between state-sanctioned recognition and illegal inducements. He strongly rejected any insinuation that the government’s public donations were unaccounted for, adding that he does not hide such funds in private accounts abroad, contrary to Kivumbi’s speculation.

“Maybe Kivumbi would prefer that I put that money for public donations in a private bank account abroad,” Museveni quipped, asserting his transparency in handling public resources.

NRM’s Commitment to Fair Elections

Museveni also reiterated the NRM’s commitment to fair elections, despite the challenges of electoral malpractice that continue to plague the political landscape. He called for a collective effort to eliminate the culture of monetized politics, describing it as a “mistake” that must be eradicated.

In closing, Museveni indirectly criticized Kivumbi for not fully appreciating the role of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), suggesting that if Kivumbi were not “blinded by prejudice,” he would recognize the sacrifices made by the UPDF, which has long operated on minimal pay while working to ensure peace and stability in the country.