As relatives and friends continue flooding incoming Junior Gender Minister, Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi with best wishes following his Thursday, 21 appointment, one particular group has specifically refused to hide their hard feelings towards the minister- their opposition colleagues.
It has since emerged that Balaam was a very vibrant ally of four time presidential candidate, Col Dr Kizza Besigye whom he is said to have actively supported and mobilised for on his(Besigye) very first shot at the Presidency in 2001. Indeed, Balaam is remembered by many FDC members of the time for organising the very first party event in 2004 on the aftermath of registering the Najjanankumbi outfit.
At Nakivubo War Memorial stadium, the PLU diehard spearheaded a glamorous launch that filled the venue to its brim. Surprisingly, it was this very event that arched Balaam’s name in the events management world.
Mr Augustine Ojobile, a former coordinator for the Jobless Brotherhood defiance wi g of FDC, also Party Administrator at Najjanankumbi has outrightly ruled out any likelihood of his former colleague shining under his new role, rather predicting a bad ending akin to what just befell former Rubaga RCC Anderson Burora who also served under him at the Jobless Brotherhood and FDC.
Ojobile took the opportunity in a phone interview with our reporter to remind Balaam that Musevenini is a “ user” and within no time he will be “used, devalued and dumped like Anderson Burora.”
“I will not congratulate him because I see no need. I will only caution him not to think he is special. Like others like Burora, he will also be used and dumped because that’s who Museveni is. He uses, devalues, then dumps you.” Said Ojobile.
The maverick FDC youth leader also ruled out Balam’s appointment being on merit, arguing he was chosen for his role in mobilising for General Muhoozi’s planned ascension to power. He expounds on a strategic plan by president Museveni to prepare for his son’s leadership by placing loyal people to strategic positions to ease the process.
The appointment of people like AG Kiryowa Kiwanuka, Balaam, Lillian Abber, Haruna Kasolo, Frank Tumwebaze, according to Ojobile is purposely for this arrangement.
