KOBOKO – Religious leaders from all denominations in West Nile on Friday 23 turned up in droves to express solidarity with State Minister for Investment Evelyn Anite who has claimed her life is in being threatened by mafia in government.
In special prayers held at Koboko Boma Grounds, the religious leaders appealed to God to protect their ‘daughter’ for fighting what they described as impunity and corruption in government in the face of her ongoing altercation with fellow government officials over the management of Uganda Telecom Limited.
Bishop of Madi West Nile Anglican Diocese Charles Collins Andaku, who presided over the prayers prayed that the unending power of God reigns on Anite and delivers her from threats of death that surround her.
During the prayers, the Mayor for Koboko Municipality, Mr Wilson Sanya, said: “We are gathered here to demonstrate not on streets with cards but to God peacefully with Bibles and the Quran. We chose this option of seeking for prayers to fight the evil. The dear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”
Ms Anite, who is the Koboko Municipality MP, told the congregation that she has been facing enormous threats on her life due to her fight against corruption in the country.
“Some people are bleeding the country, they are robbing the country they are robbing the taxpayers of this country,” said Anite.
Citing an example of the pathetic condition of Koboko Health Centre IV, Anite added that there are no drugs in hospitals and people are busy stealing what is supposed to be for the people.
Minister Anite said: “We cannot do without the Lord in our lives and heart. As a young girl, my parents made sure I go to Sunday school, Scripture Union and received the Lord. Many people think that politicians do not go to church. But you must testify to God to defeat the devil.”On the case of UTL, the money belongs to government of Uganda because the President entrusted me to be Minister of Investment and I needed to monitor the money. But it is not easy to find out because the mafia is evil and wanted to rob Uganda six months ago,” she added.She said the challenges she is facing are occupational hazards which started in 2016. “It is the fight against corruption and I call them mafia because they are robbing taxpayers and enriching themselves. When I chose the path to fight the corrupt, I chose the path to walk through fire,” she said.
The LCV Chairperson Koboko Hassan Nyinya commended Anite for speaking out about the threat to her life and wants the government to investigate the threats.
“If you swing your hands, do not touch the nose of the person next to you,” Nyinya further warned. “We should not watch committed cadres being subdued by people who think they are more powerful than the people of Uganda and jeopardize the peace and stability of government,” Nyinya said.
Williams Anyama, from the West Nile Development Association, said the death threats should never be taken lightly.