Reports Leo Odera Omolo

THE People’s Progressive Party (PPP) presidential candidate Jaberi Bidandi Ssali has accused President Yoweri Museveni for trapping his son Bebe Cool by giving him money for treatment abroad.

Bidandi Ssali said the offer was aimed at preventing Bebe Cool from accompanying him on his campaign trail.
Bebe Cool was shot by a Police officer in January.

Museveni recently gave him sh150m for medical treatment in the US.

“Museveni and his NRM party thought I could use Bebe in my campaigns to solicit votes. So, to prevent him from taking part in my campaigns, he tactically decided to take him abroad,” Bidandi said.

Bidandi was answering questions at a campaign trail in Buikwe district on Wednesday.

He was asked why he decided to stand against Museveni who had given his son money for treatment abroad.

But Tamale Mirundi, the presidential press secretary, argued that Bidandi Ssali should distinguish between his political activities and those of his son.

Mirundi said Bebe Cool was old enough to decide what was good for him.

“The President is not snatching anybody’s son. We should appreciate what the President has done for his son and other young people,” Mirundi stressed.

Mirundi added that when the President visited Bebe Cool at Nsambya Hospital, people said he was too ‘big’ to do such a thing.

“People should appreciate that the President is down to earth,” Mirundi said.

He said it was common for family member not to support relatives, citing Julius Nyerere’s son, whom he said was in the opposition when his father was the president of Tanzania.

“It would not be surprising if Bebe Cool did not support his father,” Mirundi said.

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