Dr Besigye was the chief guest during thanksgiving prayers organised by Denis Onekalit Amere, the Kitgum Municipality Member of Parliament-elect over the weekend. Amere defeated State Minister for Environment Beatrice Atim Anywar in the January 14, parliamentary polls.
Paul Omer, the Interim Soroti City Mayor and head of Amuriat’s campaign in Teso and Karamoja says that their candidate has very higher chances in the region. He explains that Amuriat has proposed better strategies to improve education and agricultural sectors in the country.
In a press briefing, Ravina Shamdasani, the Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights pointed out on Friday from Geneva, Switzerland that human rights situation in the country poses challenges not only for voting day itself, but also for the post-electoral period.
In December, at least 500 NUP supporters in Gulu and Nwoya District including their leaders allegedly crossed to NRM. This week, the NRM party officials again announced the defection of 400 supporters from the opposition FDC to NRM from across Gulu East and West Divisions. Also, 780 NUP coordinators reportedly abandoned their party in Agago District.
Nakaseke districts was the epicentre of the National Resistance Army -NRA Liberation War of 1981-1986 that brought President Yoweri Museveni to power. The area has been voting for President Yoweri Museveni over the years, and gave him 76.2 per cent of the vote in 2016 against Dr Kizza Besigye’s 21.2 per cent.
Samson Kasasira, the Rwizi regional police spokesperson said that police summoned Amuriat to record a statement but he refused to comply with the summons, which is the reason he was arrested.
Amuriat who was arrested in Bushenyi for immediate transportation to Mbarara where the offence was allegedly committed, has asked his fellow presidential candidates not to call off their campaigns just because he has been arrested. He is now in the hands of DPC John Rutagira who was knocked down by the boda boda that spirited Amuriat away on Wednesday.
“I love the people of Ankole, I have good friends from Ankole, I have cousins living in Kazo, they are my first cousins and I will never do harm to anybody, especially the people of Ankole.”
After several minutes of negotiations between police and Amuriat’s Chief mobiliser, Roland Mugume Kaginda, he was allowed to proceed to Sheema Municipal Main Stadium on foot through Kabwohe town council with his supporters.
The Power 10 group which is part of his popular Plan B strategy was launched before the 2016 election which involved having ten mobilisers at every parish to campaign and guard their votes. Now, this group, Besigye said, split into two with one group having known leaders that are supposed to guard the FDC vote and an anonymous group which will be swinging into action soon.
The delegates conference had been planned to take place next week with many issues on the agenda but top on the list, to elect the 2021 presidential flag bearer.
They include Hellen Adoa, the Serere Woman MP and State Minister for Fisheries, Usuk County MP Peter Ogwang, who has opted to represent the newly created Ngariam County and the Bukedea Woman MP, Anita Among. The other is Emilly Sheila Amulo, the aspirant for the Soroti Woman MP seat.
But according to Mao, Dr Kizza Besigye has been a formidable force in challenging Museveni’s rule and that next year’s election is going to be the biggest test for FDC. He says that even though nature abhors a vacuum, Besigye leaves a vacuity that can never be filled.
Out of the nine districts, FDC has only managed to front two aspirants in Kyotera and Rakai Districts for LCV, five aspirants for parliamentary seats and eighteen councillors for local government positions.
The controversy stems from the ongoing candidate’ identification process in which some members of FDC are seeking endorsement from the People Power pressure group, which is coordinated by DP leaders in the area.
Robert Larubi, who is eyeing Toci County parliamentary seat in Omoro District as an Independent crafted his message with an Indian-English accent to catch the attention of voters.
