While speaking at State House on Tuesday, during the unveiling of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's AU candidature, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said some individuals in Raila’s camp think he doesn't know what they are doing in his country.
He specifically pointed out Embakasi MP Babu Owino, whom he accused of supporting his political opponents in Uganda.
In a reply, the Embakasi East MP said leaders must offer alternative visions of leadership that will save Africans from oppression and poverty.
"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."
President Museveni accused Babu, saying that in the intelligence reports he receives, Babu's name always appears. He alleged that his appearance in the reports was over his support for anti-NRM movements.
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) is Uganda’s ruling party, led by Museveni.
In his response, Babu Owino said that he supports conversations that address the needs of the locals on how to end poverty.
The MP said that he understands poverty because he was poor before.
"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 has been a vocal supporter of Ugandan opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine.
Museveni said that despite knowing this, he has never accused Babu of supporting his opponents until today.
“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,” the Ugandan president said.
Nairobi senator Edwin Sifuna defended the Embakasi East MP, saying Museveni should have used diplomatic channels to raise any complaints on the conduct of Babu.
“Whatever beef Museveni has with Babu Owino, I strongly object to the manner of his attack on a young Kenyan leader on our soil,” he said on X.
“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!”
Babu Owino, however, thanked President Museveni for supporting Raila's bid for AUC Chairman.
Museveni affirmed his endorsement of the former Kenyan Prime Minister, insisting that he better understands the challenges of the continent.
“I know Raila from the Nationalists and Pan Africanists,” Museveni said.
US based rapper Mr Paperman drops his new jam featuring Arrow Bwoy