The FDC presidential candidate, Col. Kizza Besigye, has promised to end the burden of women in Kaberamaido carrying water on their heads for long distances.
“We shall end the suffering of our women who carry water on their heads for long distances. Water should be at your homes,” he pledged.
Campaigning in Kaberamaido on Wednesday, Besigye blamed the NRM government for the absence of clean water in people’s homes in many parts of the country. He said he will use solar pumps to pump water into people’s homes.
The opposition politician campaigned in Kaberamaido and Amuria districts. He started with the campaign at Kalaki Primary School, where he addressed the public before he went to Kaberamaido town through Bululu on to Otuboi sub-county.
Arguing that Uganda has the highest concentration of fresh water in world, Besigye said there is no reason why Ugandans should be suffering with water. He also promised to end food insecurity through the establishment of irrigation schemes.
“The people of Egypt use River Nile to plant throughout the year. We shall take water to your gardens so that you plant food throughout the year,” he stated.
Warning voters against Museveni, Besigye argued that: “If Museveni has failed to solve your problems in 30 years when he was still young and energetic, how can he do so in his old age when he is using a walking stick.”
While at Akeriau, Besigye and FDC president Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu were angered by reports that government agents were threatening Opposition supporters. The Opposition supporters claimed that state minister for defence General Jeje Odongo is involved in intimidating the people.
Besigye said: “I advise our brother Jeje Odongo that if it is true he is involved in intimidating our people, he must stop it immediately because if he doesn’t, the wind of change will engulf him and we wouldn’t like that to happen.”
Gen. Muntu, who is a former army commander, said: “Those who are in the security services who do not understand that all Ugandans have a stake in their country have a problem in their heads.”
Besigye also visited a private school, Morungatuny Parents Nursery and Primary School at Omunye village in Amuria district. He expressed shock at the condition of the school.
Steven Akopo, one of the area residents, said: “That school is like that because of the high rate of poverty in the area. It is a private school, but there are many government-aided schools in the area which are worse than that school.”
Several supporters at Otuboi town in Kaberamaido gave money to Besigye as contribution towards his campaign expenses. The supporters included a cleric, Bishop Ebiasali Emolu of the New World Ministries in Uganda.
Emolu said he was impressed when Besigye said he would support farmers and re-establish co-operatives.
“As religious leaders, we are not involved in politics but my sh2,500 is an appreciation of the good plans he has for the common people in the village,” he said.
At Bululu trading centre, Besigye received a chicken as a gift from one of his supporters, Michael Egulu alias Sualo.
On Tuesday, while addressing a rally at Ochero sub-county headquarters in Kaberamaido district, Besigye rallied his supporters not to lose hope, saying change is imminent this time.
“I know there are people who have been voting for me to have the change. Since you didn’t get the change in the previous elections, you may be tempted to give up. I am here to tell you that the change we want is coming and never give up,” Besigye said.
“We have been shaking it, including its roots. You can see that some people who have been on the tree have now started jumping off,” Besigye boasted.
He said if he were elected, he would see that roads become better for people in the country: “Something must be done about these bad roads as a result of which we are suffering,” he said.
“We are prepared to handle all these challenges that have been created over the last 20 years. What we only need is to get the power.”
Immediately after addressing the crowd at Ochero, he moved to the home of the late Robert Opolot who is alleged to have been shot dead by the fisheries enforcement officers. Besigye comforted the family.
In an interview with New Vision, David Otim, a teacher at Kalaki Secondary School said: “I have been greatly impressed by the promise to increase salaries for teachers, taking water closer to people’s homes, and stopping corruption, as well as wastage in government.”
Jennifer Adumo said: “All his promises are exciting. I liked the pledge to construct our roads, increasing teachers’ salaries, giving us better hospitals, irrigation schemes and stopping corruption.”
Florence Alino liked the message about revamping the healthcare system, creating jobs through state constructed factories and increasing teachers’ salaries.
