Museveni accused the vocal and youthful Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) lawmaker of interfering with Ugandan politics
While in attendance at State House, Nairobi during the official launch of Raila Odinga’s African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson bid, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni verbally went after Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Babu Owino.
As he endorsed Raila’s bid, Museveni accused the vocal and youthful Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) lawmaker of interfering with Ugandan politics by collaborating with Uganda’s anti-ruling party activists according to intelligence reports he received.
“There are some individuals in Raila’s group who I don’t think know what they are doing. You know I am a consumer of intelligence service.
“So, I always see intelligence reports. There is a character called Babu. I always see Babu dealing with anti-NRM groups,” said Museveni.
Babu Owino speaking on August 25, 2024. /BABU OWINO
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) is Uganda’s ruling party, led by Museveni himself. However, the Ugandan Head of State had exonerated Raila from links with Owino, who is yet to respond to Museveni’s remarks by the time of publishing this article.
“I have never accused him, but now I am accusing him,” he said, adding “I am accusing Babu, but those are individuals, they are not Raila. I know Raila as a nationalist and Pan-Africanist.”
Babu Owino has been a vocal supporter of Ugandan opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, and has publicly declared his support for his movement and ideologies.
In 2018, the Ugandan government banned Babu from entering Uganda over undermining President Museveni’s administration.
In his 30-minute speech, Museveni reminisced about Raila’s father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, who had supported Jomo Kenyatta’s vision for a unified government, and expressed his pleasure at seeing President Ruto and DP Gachagua united with Raila.
At the same time, he laid the truth bare regarding his support for Raila, revealing how he snubbed Djibouti’s candidate who is also gunning for the post.
“A young man from Djibouti came to tell me he was their candidate. We had a chat, took some photos, and shared a cup of tea. But I told him straight, I’m going to Kenya to support Raila because he’s the right man for this job,” he explained.
Museveni is among the African Presidents and former Presidents who graced Raila’s AUC bid launch at State House.
Others were; Samia Suluhu (Tanzania), Salva Kiir (South Sudan), and the Prime Minister of Burundi Gervais Ndirakobuca. Former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete and former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo also attended the event.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader will be going against Djibouti’s Foreign Minister, Mahmoud Youssouf, as Anil Kumarsingh Gayan from Mauritius and Richard Randriamandrato from Madagascar in the AUC chairperson election which will be held in February 2025 during the African Union Summit.
On July 29, Kenya formally submitted the requisite documentation of Odinga who is aiming to replace outgoing AUC chairperson Moussa Faki.
On April 26, Raila revealed his manifesto declaring what he intends to fulfil in the event he is elected African Union (AU) Commission chairperson, including reducing the burden Africans have in terms of travel between the 54 countries in the continent.
Guests in attendance of the launch of Raila Odinga’s campaign for AUC seat on August 27, 2024. /PCS