Uganda President Yoweri Museveni has hit out at Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Babu Owino over his alleged involvement in the country’s politics.
While attending Kenya’s official unveiling of Raila Odinga’s candidacy for the African Union Chairmanship bid at Nairobi’s State House today, Museveni claimed he receives intelligence reports that harbor Babu’s names almost always.
According to Museveni, Babu Owino supports the anti-National Resistance Movement (Uganda’s ruling party) and is a close ally to Ugandan opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine.
“There are some individuals in Raila’s group who I don’t think know what they are doing. I am a consumer of intelligence services…I always see intelligence service reports. There’s a character called Babu. I always see Babu dealing with anti-NRM groups in Uganda.” Museveni said.
The Ugandan leader remarked this while endorsing Raila for the African Union chairperson position.
Museveni termed the position as a job for vision, conviction, and knowledge saying that Odinga is fit for the job.
And in a quick rejoinder, Babu hit back at Ugandan president taking to X hours after Museveni’s speech.
Owino recounted his political journey saying he was raised in a humble background and understands the plight of the poor and those in need.
“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.” Babu said.
“If you tell me that you’ve slept hungry, I know what it means to lack food because I’ve been through that. If you tell me that you lack school fees, I will feel you because I know what it is to lack school fees. Because of the challenges that we face in Kenya and Africa, we as leaders are meant to provide solutions…As Babu Owino, I stand for a democratic society where a child in Kenya will receive proper medication, and education and will equally get a job. Equally, a child in Uganda should receive the same treatment as a child in Kenya.” He noted.
In what appeared to be poking holes into Museveni’s autocratic leadership spanning over 38 years, the lawmaker advocated for the rights of Ugandan people through democracy, opining that Africans deserve “alternative visions of leadership” to save them from oppression and poverty.
Similarly, ODM Secretary General and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna hit back at Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni for insinuating that Embakasi East MP Babu Owino is interfering in Kampala politics by working with his political detractors.
In a statement on X, Sifuna called out Museveni for verbally reprimanding Owino while in Kenya.
“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 said.
He further opined that Museveni should have addressed the allegations through diplomatic channels instead of publicly criticizing Owino.
“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…To use a Presidential Podium to make such grave accusations against a Kenyan is a No!” Sifuna added.
