The Kyabazinga coronation memorial festival has delayed the Go Forward presidential candidate, John Patrick Amama Mbabazi\'s rallies in Iganga district.
Mbabazi is meant to hold four rallies in Iganga district today but has been delayed in Jinja, at Busoga kingdom headquarters where the Kyabazinga of Busoga William Wilberforce Kadhumbula Gabula Nadiope IV is celebrating his first year on the throne.
Mbabazi has only greeted the residents but declined to address them, saying that it was not in line with the Electoral Commission campaign program.
Upon arrival Andrew Ntange, Busoga kingdom spokesperson welcomed him and announced his presence at the function currently going on at Busoga kingdom headquarters in Bugembe, Jinja district.
The speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga is present at the function as a guest of honour, while President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is also expected to grace the celebrations as the chief guest.
John Patrick Amama Mbabazi is in the company of David Pulkol, the former External Security Organization chief.
Farouk Tezikuba, Go Forward coordinator for Busoga sub region says Mbabazi was expected to address his first rally as 2016 presidential candidate at CMS trading centre in Iganga district at 10:30 am.
Towards 12:30pm, Mbabazi who was expected in Namungalwe trading centre, and by 2:00pm at Busembatya town council before winding up at Iganga freedom square.
However supporters of independent presidential candidate, John Patrick Amama Mbabazi are eagerly waiting for their candidate in Iganga district this afternoon.
From Bulanga, CMS up to Iganga municipality hundreds are waiting along the road to receive John Patrick Amama Mbabazi in Iganga, with motorcyclists doing all kinds of acrobatics along the way, temporarily affecting traffic along Jinja – Iganga highway.
Vincent Mwesigye, Iganga district police commander says police has been deployed at Iganga roundabout, in CMS and at Kaliro round about to monitor traffic and control order.
Muzamir Kanakulya, a trader along Asio Street says that the issue of the elevation of the condition of roads, street lighting and hospitals should be addressed by Mbabazi\'s campaign speech.
He says the bad roads present enormous challenges which government has failed to resolve despite introducing various programs to improve roads in Iganga.
//Cue in: “Bingi byasobola okukolela...
Cue out: …lek kutimba kipaandhe. “//
Dennis Wairagala a resident of Kasokoso village in Iganga municipality says people want to hear his words of change with a hope of improving their lives in future.
Cue in “actually they want…â€
Cue out “…he is coming.â€//
Meanwhile, over 400 cyclists and car drivers have been mobilized to form part of Mbabazi\'s convoy. The riders and drivers have been given coupons to draw fuel from different petrol stations in the town after a meeting in Iganga today by Mbabazi\'s support campaign team.
Aldon Walukamba
Freelancer