Nairobi, Kenya | By Michael Wandati | During an event at State House on Tuesday, where former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s candidacy for the African Union was unveiled, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni expressed concerns about certain individuals in Raila Odinga’s camp. He suggested that some of these individuals might underestimate his awareness of their activities within Uganda.
President Museveni specifically called out Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, accusing him of backing political rivals in Uganda.
In response, Babu Owino emphasized the need for leaders to present alternative visions that address the issues of oppression and poverty in Africa.
“Because of the challenges that we face in Kenya and Africa, we as leaders are meant to provide solutions,” Babu Owino said in a statement on Facebook.
“As Babu Owino, I stand for a democratic society where a child in Kenya will receive proper medication, education and will equally get a job. Equally, a child in Uganda should receive the same treatment as a child in Kenya,” he added.
President Museveni accused Babu Owino of frequently appearing in intelligence reports, alleging that this is due to his support for movements opposed to the National Resistance Movement (NRM), Uganda’s ruling party led by Mr. Museveni.
In response, Babu Owino stated that he advocates for discussions focused on addressing local needs and combating poverty. He highlighted his personal experience with poverty, noting that his understanding of the issue is rooted in his own past hardships.
“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. If you tell me that you lack school fees, I will feel you because I know what it is to lack school fees,” he added.
Babu Owino has been a prominent supporter of Ugandan opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, commonly known as Bobi Wine.
Mr. Museveni acknowledged that although he was aware of Babu Owino’s support for his political rivals in Uganda, he had never publicly accused him of this until now.
“There are some individuals in Raila’s group who think I don’t 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,” President Museveni said.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna defended Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, suggesting that President Museveni should have addressed any concerns about Owino’s actions through diplomatic channels rather than public criticism.
“Whatever beef Museveni has with Babu Owino, I strongly object to the manner of his attack on a young Kenyan leader on our soil,” Edwin Sifuna said on X.
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“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!,” he added.
Babu Owino, on the other hand, expressed gratitude to President Museveni for his support of Raila Odinga’s candidacy for the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairmanship.
Museveni reaffirmed his backing of the former Kenyan Prime Minister, emphasizing that Odinga has a deeper understanding of the continent’s challenges.
“I know Raila from the Nationalists and Pan Africanists,” President Museveni said.
