The minister in charge of the presidency and Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has blamed Uganda’s underdevelopment on sectarianism which he says was promoted by the previous government.
Frank Tumwebaze, who is also the Kibale County MP, said that some sections of politicians mainly from the opposition are promoting tribalism and disunity among Ugandans, which according to him, is dangerous.
“There is nothing that can foster development in Uganda like unity. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) government united us, and that is why we are living as Ugandans therefore this is development.”
His comments follow several social media and multimedia tribal messages trending in Uganda which he said are generated by enemies of peace.
Tumwebaze urged Ugandans to shun such politicians who are trading politics of tribalism.
“Avoid those who are promoting tribalism. They want to destabilize our peace and unity. We know there are many tribes, many religions, but that is not important. What we need is togetherness.”
The minister said the promotion of sectarianism contradicts the party ideology of pan-Africanism, nationalism, social economic transformation and democracy.
“Kamwenge district is under Toro Kingdom, but we have very many tribes, and we have peacefully lived together for so long and no one should disunite us.”
Tumwebaze was addressing NRM supporters who had gathered at Nkoma sub-county headquarters to welcome him after he was nominated for the Kibale East MP seat.
“Politics of sectarianism was used by UPC [Uganda’s People’s Congress] and that is why they failed. We as NRM we condemn it in the strongest way,” said Geoffrey Byamukama, the Kamwenge NRM vice chairperson.
Bony Kemigisa, hailing from Bwizi in Kamwenge commended the NRM government for uniting the tribes in Kamwenge and settling the refugees.
“There are very many tribes here, but we don’t look at that. We live as people from Toro Kingdom and Ugandans. If anyone is going to divide us we shall not vote for them.”
Meanwhile, Tumwebaze said that tribalism is a major stumbling block to democracy as well as social economic development.
