In a surprising turn of events, Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Babu Owino responded sharply to recent comments made by Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni.
The exchange occurred after Museveni criticized Babu during a high-profile event at State House, Nairobi, on August 27, 2024, where Raila Odinga officially launched his bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship.
Museveni, speaking at the event, did not mince words as he accused the firebrand lawmaker of being a nuisance to Uganda.
The 79-year-old autocrat claimed that various intelligence reports had implicated Babu Owino in efforts to oppose the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and incite chaos in Uganda.
“I am a consumer of intelligence services, and some individuals in Raila Odinga’s group don’t know what they are doing,” Museveni remarked.
The septuagenarian singled out the Embakasi East legislator, saying, “There is a character named Babu Owino who is involved with anti-NRM to incite chaos in Uganda.”
Museveni went on to reveal that, despite having this knowledge, he had refrained from accusing Babu until that moment.
“I have never accused him, but now I am accusing him,” Museveni asserted.
Not stopping
Babu Owino did not take these accusations lightly.
In a rebuttal, he expressed his gratitude to Museveni for supporting Raila’s AUC bid but maintained his commitment to advocating for the greater good in both Kenya and Uganda.
“I thank President Museveni for supporting BABA’S bid for AUC Chairmanship. However, as a young leader in Kenya, having grown up in poverty, I know what it means to lack.
“If you tell me that you’ve slept hungry, I know what it means to lack food because I’ve been through that,” Owino wrote on X.
He continued, “Because of the challenges that we face in Kenya and Africa, we as leaders are meant to provide solutions.”
Babu Owino’s response emphasized his vision for a democratic society in which children in both Kenya and Uganda would receive proper healthcare, education, and employment opportunities.
He underscored his belief in offering alternative leadership that could free Africans from the shackles of oppression and the jaws of poverty.
ODM leadership
The exchange between Museveni and Babu Owino did not go unnoticed within Kenyan political circles.
ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna came to Babu Owino’s defence, condemning Museveni’s public reprimand of a Kenyan leader on home soil.
Sifuna argued that if Museveni had concerns about Babu’s conduct, he should have used diplomatic channels rather than airing his grievances in such a manner.
“Whatever beef Museveni has with Babu Owino, I strongly object to the manner of his attack on a young Kenyan leader on our own soil,” Sifuna wrote on X.
Adding that; “Kenya is a country ruled by law and if there is any objectionable conduct on the part of Babu, there are diplomatic channels to convey that to Kenyan Authorities and let the law take its cause. But to use a Presidential Podium to make such grave accusations against a Kenyan is a NO!”
Babu banned from Uganda
Babu Owino’s strained relationship with Museveni dates back to his association with Ugandan opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine.
The Ugandan government officially banned the Kenyan MP from entering the country in May 2019, declaring him persona non grata.
The decision stemmed from Babu Owino’s involvement in hosting Bobi Wine during his visit to Kenya, where the two are accused of making inflammatory and seditious remarks against Museveni’s rule.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs in Uganda at the time communicated Babu Owino’s ban.
“The purpose of this letter is to make it known that Honorable Babu Owino is officially declared as persona non grata within the borders of Uganda and will not be permitted entry without special clearance from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
“During Bobi Wine’s visit to Kenya last month, Babu hosted Wine in a number of functions and events. The duo uttered inflammatory and seditious words against the democratic and legitimate rule of President Yoweri Museveni.”