Mukono North Constituency
Mukono Municipality
Mukono south constituency
Mukono Woman MP
Nakifuma county
Seven candidates have been nominated in Kaberamaido district for parliamentary seats on day one by 2:00pm.
Among those nominated include: Veronica Isala Eragu on NRM ticket for Kaberamaido County. Already with he nominated is Julius Peter Emigu on FDC ticket I Kaberamaido County.
Having failed from NRM party primaries, Alfred Edakasi Elalu Olale has also been nominated as an independent candidate to compete for seat for Kaberamaido County.
Meanwhile, for Kaberamaido woman parliamentary seat, Maria Gorreti Ajilo for the NRM party has also been nominated together with one of the person she beat in the NRM primary elections.
Jane Awichi who lost in the NRM party primary elections has also been nominated.
The two join the incumbent Member of Parliament Flowrence Ekwau Ibi who is on FDC ticket. Kalaki County MP Clement Kenneth Ongalo Obote also got nominated as the NRM flag-bearer.
According to the district Registrar of Kaberamaido, Samson Omuron, those nominated will have to wait for others who will get nominated on day two before campaigns can start.
Two candidates who had come for nominations at Bukedea district headquarters this morning were turned down by the electoral commission officials due to irregularities in their papers.
Those sent away included, David Stephen Omagor and Henry Aleko both contesting as independent for the newly created county of Kachumbala.
The district returning officer, Naduli Ahmed Musisi, sent the duo after he found gaps in their academic papers.
Naduli said that he sent away Aleko after he found out that he did not have approved payments of nomination fees from Uganda Revenue Authority much as he had bank payment slip for Stanbic.
We could not nominate him because the guidelines are very clear. We shall nominate him tomorrow if he clears that with URA,” Naduli said.
Meanwhile, David Omagor was also sent away due to lack of original academic papers. Naduli said that much as Omagor had all things right, he did not carry original certificates of his academic qualifications.
“As EC, we had to send him also away to go and bring the originals. He can also be nominated tomorrow,” Naduli explained.
Sanjay was the first parliamentary candidate to be nominated at 9:30am as an independent candidate by the returning officer, Fredric Muwaya Tibakuno, before he moved with his procession of his supporters, paralyzing activities in the entire town centre.
The police officers who kept on patrolling the entire municipality as others had been deployed from the ElectoralCommission offices to Lions Children Park where Sanjay is expected to host his supporters.
The deployment followed threats by his arch rival Yeri Apollo Ofwono the NRM party-flag bearer to storm Lions Children Park, a venue that is being claimed by both candidates as their campaign launch venue.
Ofwono who is expected to be nominated on Thursday said they cannot allow Tanna to take control of Lions Children Park, saying that they eventually have to storm the venue by force. Ofwono, the former area MP, has been defeated byTanna in the past two previous elections.
But security officials have warned of stern action against those who will perpetrate violence.
The chairman of the district security committee, Martin Orochi, said they are better prepared to handle the situation as it unfolds. He said they are not going to entertain any hooligans.
DP president and aspirant for Gulu municipality seat Norbert Mao has been turned away from nominations by the district returning officer after he failed to produce a national ID.
Presidential candidate Yoweri Museveni has started his campaign rallies in Teso region. He held his first rally this morning at Katakwi district headquarters.
NRM supporters at Atoroma Primary School, Toroma parish, Toroma sub-county in Toroma county of Katakwi district are in mood of receiving their presidential candidate.
The state minister of Teso affairs Christine Amongin says after the Government of NRM fulfilling most of its pledges for the Teso people, Museveni is going to win with 80% compared to 68% in 2011.
“What is remaining is the issue of dams, which will be constructed to stop floods in the area. As a ministry, we have finalized arrangements to construct the 53 dams in Teso. Two of them are under construction here in Katakwi,” she adds.
Education minister Jesca Alupo says there are some of the pledges that government has fulfilled, such as Soroti Public University, which is about to begin, the fruit factory, which has been constructed and restocking of people’s herds.
The NRM vice-chairman Eastern region Captain Mike Mukula says the party’s Central Executive Committee has agreed to have some party members who did not agree with the results from the recently held primaries to contest as independent candidates, but still remain NRM members.
“Although I am going to contest as an independent candidate, I am still NRM and I want to say NRM is still as strong as before in Teso region, “ Alupo said.
President Yoweri Museveni’s message at his first rally in the Teso sub-region, was of reconciliation among the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party membership, especially after the primary elections.
The message from the party’s fag-bearer did not come out of the blue, but was prompted by the apparent animosity among the top party cadres who took part in the elections that were largely characterised by irregularities.
During the rally at Katakwi Secondary School in Katakwi sub-county yesterday, Usuk County MP flag-bearer Peter Ogwang, asked the President to prevail upon persons claiming to be sent by his office to contest in the district. Ogwang had been invited by Museveni to be officially introduced as the county’s flag-bearer.
“Your Excellency, I would like you to clarify on the people claiming to have been sent by your office. Some of my colleagues are lying to the people, claiming you sent them to contest,” he said.
“Your Excellency, the resident district commissioner here has conflict of interest. Can you transfer him to another district so that we can have free and fair elections here?” he asked as Museveni looked on.
As the rally wound up, the President summoned education minister Jessica Alupo, who lost the Katakwi district Woman MP primaries; her rival, Viola Akurut, who defeated her and Ogwang for reconciliation.
“We had primary elections which had a lot of diff culties, but it is a good exercise and it is something we shall continue doing. You should not divide voters. You are all NRM people. You are all my children. So, I want you to be united. The ones who wanted to go with Mbabazi went with him and the ones who wanted to go with Besigye went with him. Anybody who did not go with Besigye or Mbabazi is an NRM member. I will get time and discuss with your leaders, Ogwang, Akurut and the minister and all the others so that you become one,” he said to ululations from the crowd.
NRM Achievements
Museveni, in his first rally, held in Atoroma Primary School in Toroma county, asked the people to vote for him and all the NRM flag-bearers. “In the coming elections, I call upon you to vote for the NRM. Vote for the old man with a hat. Vote for the NRM flag- bearers so that we continue with the progress we are registering,” he said.
He called on the people to maintain the NRM government in power for peace and development of the country. “People in Katakwi are my witnesses. I know how you suffered at the hands of the Karimojong cattle warriors and you know how you achieved peace. Toroma is now peaceful, Usuk is peaceful and the whole of Katakwi and Teso is peaceful. What remains now is getting rid of ican (poverty), so that each home is prosperous,” he said.
Museveni told voters to always bear in mind the main pillars of NRM that include unity, strength, peace and development. He elaborated that unity is what distinguishes NRM from all other groups, because the party values everybody. 
He stressed that NRM is a strong party that has managed to pacify the whole country. Flanked by the NRM vice- chairman for eastern region, Capt. Mike Mukula and other top NRM leaders, Museveni catalogued many achievements of the NRM government, including the education sector, rural electrification, road construction and healthcare.
“NRM is a strong party, that is why there is peace everywhere in the country. Although there is not enough money to do everything at once, we have made steady progress,” he said, citing the electricity that has been extended to Katakwi and a ferry that is due to be inaugurated on Lake Bisina.
Museveni sent the crowd into wild cheers when he said power would soon be extended to Toroma county, while another ferry would be introduced on Lake Bisina to ease transport between Katakwi and Kumi districts.
Priorities
The NRM candidate stated his next priorities after the elections as: Increased funding of the National Agricultural Advisory Services programme, recapitalising the youth fund, women’s fund and micro-finance, innovation funds to support scientists.
Museveni said the Government would next year take up the provision of scholastic materials to primary school pupils. The Government, he said, would also provide sanitary pads to the school-going girls, citing the lack of the pads as one of the reasons girls drop out of school.
Voters’ needs
Although he did not talk about the Social Protection Grant, where elderly people in pilot districts receive sh50,000 every two months, the funding is an inspiration for 80-year old Vagilina Akol.
Akol, one of the hundreds who braved the scorching sun to wait for the address of her candidate, Museveni, said she wished to extend a message of gratitude to the President for thinking about the elderly.
The frail resident of Akarukei in Kapujan sub-county, about 7km from the venue, said: “I thank Museveni because I can buy clothes and sandals for myself. I even have bedsheets, which I could not afford before,” she said.
But Akol has another concern she wants addressed, the lack of medicine in health centres. Clad in a black cardigan, green long skirt and red slippers, Akol, expressed concern that due to her advanced age, she can no longer control her urine.
“I have been to the health centre, but no medic has explained to me the cause of this condition nor given her any medicine,” she lamented.
Martin Opio’s case is of hell in his own home. “I cannot feed my family. A Uganda People’s Defence Forces soldier grabbed my land and has threatened to kill me. I have walked to all offices of authorities here, but even the Police are afraid of him. If I had an opportunity, I would tell Museveni that his boy has made my life and that of my family miserable,” the 65-year-old from Ocwalakweny in Orimai Kapujan sub-county said.
Although he did not talk about the land conf icts in the area, Museveni expressed sympathy to the people who are currently experiencing floods in the area. “Sorry about the roads that have been cut off. Rain is good, but there is a problem when floods cut off roads. We shall have a solution to it.”
He said the Government would provide every district with enough road equipment to maintain the roads. “We have bought road equipment from Japan, so each district will have a wheel loader, a road compressor, two tipper lorries and other equipment. He lashed out at the opposition presidential candidates who are promising to raise teachers’ pay, saying it is unrealistic. He said while he appreciates the need to raise teachers’ salaries, the Government needs to prioritise its activities.
Hepatitis B
Museveni was glad to note that all newborn babies were being immunised against Hepatitis B. He said the Government will soon develop a programme to immunise adults as well.He counselled those already affected by Hepatitis B not to panic, as medical doctors would guide them on what to do.
Later, Museveni received over 20 defectors from other Opposition parties, who crossed over to NRM.Museveni addressed the third rally at Kapelebyong in Amuria district. Today, he is expected to address rallies in Orungo county in Amuria and Kaberamaido and Soroti.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
Bosco Aliabu a resident of Kapujan sub-county, Toroma county,
Warriors have settled on our land. Our infrastructures such as schools have few teachers and our roads are also bad so these are some of the issues I pray that the president tackles.
Augustine Oitangole 23years old resident of Toroma county
We want more jobs for the youth like me who have studied and have nothing to do due to the level of unemployment in our region.
Mbabazi is one of the eight presidential candidates. Mbabazi told journalists at Larem Guest House in Gulu on Wednesday that having worked with Museveni for 30 years, there are set goals which the Government has deviated from, which are not in the best interest of the country.
“I have no personal problem with Museveni. I only parted with the leadership of NRM because the principles and ideology on which it was formed have been deviated from. It is not mere ambition,” Mbabazi who also once served as the secretary general of the ruling National Resistance Movement, said.
He said his other mission is to ensure there is peaceful transfer of power from the current to a new generation of leaders. “Peaceful transfer of government is my goal, to ensure that our path to democracy is smooth, so that the struggle we have started does not die with us. That is why I made the June 16 declaration,” Mbabazi said.
Mbabazi, who is supported by some opposition parties, also took a swipe at pro-NRM youth, clad in Museveni’s T-shirts who tried to disrupt his rally. The youth were restrained by the Police as they averted a clash while Mbabazi entered Kaunda Grounds in Gulu town.
Supporter Ivan Okello suffered multiple injuries in a scuff with rival youth. In a reaction, Mbabazi called for mature politics. “Competition should be about ideas not violence. Let voters choose by listening to what contenders have to offer. I cannot understand why people who claim to be democrats fear fair competition,”Mbabazi stated.
There was drama outside the press conference venue when a group of rowdy Mbabazi campaign mobilisers stormed the place demanding sh7m for mobilisation. Each group claimed they were promised sh100, 000 each.
Democratic Party president, Norbert Mao, intervened and gave them a deposit of sh1.3m. Mbabazi promised to revive co-operative societies by introducing a produce warehouse receipt system at each sub-county, where farmers with high value crops stored in silos can access loans from financial institutions.
“The five million jobs l talked about will be given by the private sector, when the sub-county is turned into a planning unit for development. Why should there be all this talk of poverty with all the fertile land and youthful labour at our disposal,”Mbabazi stated.
He said although government revenue has grown from $1.5b in 1986 to $30b, northern Uganda has got a very small share of this revenue. – See more at: https://www.elections.co.ug/new-vision/election/1408384/mbabazi-mpigi#sthash.mMRJLObu.dpuf
The Go Forward pressure group has launched a fundraising campaign to raise money for its independent presidential candidate, Amama Mbabazi.
The campaign, dubbed ‘One Million for Change’, also aims at getting 1,000,000 people to protect Mbabazi’s votes and another 1,000,000 to do door-to-door campaigns for him.
It was started by people who said they had been marginalised by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government.
Addressing a press conference at Go Forward offices in Nakasero on Wednesday, the One Million for Change spokesperson, Robert Ssajjabbi, said Uganda was ready and they were equal to the task.
“From this day forth, we resolve to gather 1,000,000 people for kakuyege (grass root canvassing), one million vote guards and 1,000,000 funders. If time is money, then you cannot lack both. You either volunteer your time or money,” Ssajjabbi said to the Go Forward supporters.
He said One Million for Change was about people, action, life and a new Uganda.
“We here by resolve to surrender; our time, newtworks and both human and financial resources,” he stated.
Ssajjabbi claimed the NRM presidential candidate Yoweri Museveni had crime preventers and Mbabazi had the people.
“No amount of intimidation shall stop us from aspiring for a Uganda that works for everyone,” Ssajjabbi said as several youth in front of him kept shouting; “Mbabazi oyee, Go Forward oyee,” every time they felt he had hammered home a point of interest.
He stressed that “the existing draconian laws and resident district commissioners cannot stop an idea whose time has come”.
Uganda’s former ambassador to the United States, Edith Ssempala, who flagged off the activists, said they were determined to realise a Uganda that works for everyone.
“I am very excited to be part of the change that is coming. No more chief administrative officers voting, no more underage voting and no more ballot stuffing. Yes we are going to be intimidated, but not cowed down,” she said.
A group which called itself Kampala Metropolitan People’s Association handed in a bank receipt of sh1m and vowed to mobilise for more funds.
“We have many groups and individuals who are funding our campaign but they asked not to be named, saying they feared retribution,” Tonny Ssebugwawo, the One Million for Change chairperson, said.
A big book where Go Forward supporters will register themselves and their activities was also launched.
Ssempala also gave them a Toyota Noah, which she said had been soaked in the blood of Jesus to protect it and its occupants from the political enemies as they crisscross the country searching for votes.
Independent presidential candidate Amama Mbabazi has decried the state of the health system in the country saying it has turned to be death traps rather than where lives can be saved.
“I know very well the state of your hospitals and health centres, instead of providing you a curative service, they have become a death trap for our mothers who die in the process of producing lives.”
The former Prime Minister was on Wednesday launching his campaign in Lira at Akii Bua stadium.
He said 16-19 women die in Uganda every day during delivery which is bad and must stopped.
Amama accompanied by Norbert Mao, Olara Otunu, David Pulkol, and Benson Obua among others arrived in Lira from Gulu. He passed via Juba road, Obote Avenue as huge crowds gathered, escorting him bringing business along the commercial street to a stand still
Amama promised a large gathering who braced the melting sunshine at Akii Bua stadium in Lira town where the rally was held that when elected, his government will invest in health care and make deliberate policies to save the lives of Ugandans.
“We shall give medical workers enough money for them to pay attention to their work,” he said attracting wild applause and ululation from the crowd.
His promise to tackle maternal deaths comes as a relief to one, Akello Dorcus who recently lost a relative at Lira Regional referral hospital. “I lost my aunt at the hospital due to power failure,” she said adding that mothers should be saved from going through such painful experience.
Amama, who as a long history of working in the government said he had limited power to cause change in the lives of Ugandans because such powers are given only to the president of Uganda. When elected, he said, he will use such powers to transform the country positively.
The former premier also said he will transform education by improving on the livelihood of the teachers.
He also hailed former President Milton Obote for the contribution he made towards the development of Uganda.
As a former athlete, Amama praised the fallen sports hero, John Akii Bua who won Uganda’s First gold medal in 1972 Olympics. He said Akii Bua brought honor to the nation but government has not appreciated him. He frown when told the dilapidated field he was addressing the rally is Akii Bua stadium. “Am proud of him (Akii Bua) because he brought glory for this country.”
“If I am elected my priority will be to build Akii Bua stadium in order to reawaken his name ,” he promised.
On agriculture Amama noted that farmers are being rob of their profits by buyers who get their produce cheaply. He has plans to empower local farmers to do collective bargain in order to benefit from better markets through cooperatives.
Democratic Party precident Norbert Mao received a rousing applause at the rally and criticized precident Museveni for not providing a level ground to his other competitor in the precedential race. “What precident Museveni is doing undermines the principles of democracy”, Mao reiterated.
Amama said he is committed to his lifelong cause to bring about changes in society and peaceful transition of power that will be the first time in the history of Uganda.
Independent presidential candidate Amama Mbabazi is in Mpigi district today, a day after campaign in Lira.
By Norah Mukimba
5:24pm: Mbabazi finally arrives at Mawonvu grounds, his rally venue and people are cheering at his arrival
4:50pm: Mbabazi has continued making stop-overs despite Police insisting that he drives straight to his rally venue.
He has so far addressed supporters at Gomba, Nakatoye, Bulo and Kyabadaaza. He is yet to reach the venue for his main rally.
3:19pm: Police directs Mbabazi to move fast to Mpigi. They tell him he used a wrong route to get to his rally venue.
After a brief argument, Mbabazi moves on to Kibibi. Still the DPC follows him, telling him not to stop, but continue to his rally venue.
Right now, the Police vehicle is moving behind Mbabazi’s six-car convoy.
3: 00pm: The Police have urged Mbabazi to move on to Mpigi as his programme says and not to address rallies in other towns. Butambala district Police commander Musa Kayongo says Mbabazi was not scheduled to be in Butambala. This came after Mbabazi made a stop-over at Kabasangaand addressed his supporters. He told them he would work on their roads and respect their demand for a federal system of government.
12:00PM Mbabazi has left Lira town where he addressed a rally yesterday and spent a night. He is heading to Mpigi, Mawonvu grounds, where he will address another rally today.
Meanwhile, preparations in Mpigi are high as the supporters await their candidate. The distribution of T-shirts, posters is going on and cyclists are gearing up to receive Mbabazi.
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‘Bukedde is best newspaper’
Another reporter introduces himself, but before he can ask Mbabazi his question, the presidential candidate cuts in and complains about media coverage.
He complains that some TV stations are showing a small rally in their footage. The argument goes on for long until DP president Norbert Mao intervenes to say they will take it up with the managers of, particularly NBS TV.
Mao calls for balance and says the media covers Museveni for crowds and small crowds for other candidates. He says they were aware that the security apparatus is blocking free media coverage.
“The best newspaper [in terms of elections coverage] is Bukedde,” says Mbabazi. “As for New Vision they have allocated page 1 for Museveni and Mbabazi appears on Page 7 in small clips. UBC is also a freehold for the incumbent.
“We think journalists should decide on how to cover. We know you are not the decision makers, but we shall engage the editorial team.”
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‘Sub-county will be centre of business’
Journalist James Onono asks Mbabazi: “How are you going to create jobs?”
“Read my manifesto,” responds the presidential hopeful.
“We clearly stated that we shall establish sub-county models and every sub-county will create 500 jobs. All these will be new jobs. Our people are poor. Their conditions are very bad despite the fact that they are hardworking, intelligent and Uganda is endowed.
“Ask yourselves, why would such people be poor? It is poor leadership. I gave an example of other countries that do not even have the conditions that we have. I am coming up with an idea that gives an individual to fully exploit their potential.
“The ordinary farmer works hard, grows rice, peas, millet, beans, but when you look at it, it is a sellers’ market. Who determines the price? The buyer. She has a need so she will be forced to sell. We want to change this by restoring the cooperative movement, especially the productive one. Those established to produce, then we start a commodity exchange market to promote selling.
“We shall have a silo at the sub-county where the products are processed and put in warehouses. We shall create a community bank and the receipt from your warehousing receipt will be used as security to get a loan. This commodity exchange will stabilize the prices.
“The sub-county will become a centre of business and international players will come in,” explains Mbabazi.
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‘I never bought such a vehicle’
“Who was responsible for stealing funds for northern Uganda?” comes another question.
Mbabazi says: “The Auditor General investigated and I think there is a report. I was not in charge of the thieves. A prime minister is not in charge of these funds – even a minister does not handle funds. There is a procedure of funding. A minister can intervene, but before he intervenes, he must put it in writing and he takes responsibility.
“There is this nonsense that has been kept in the media by Odonga Otto that I bought an armored vehicle when I was prime minister. I never bought such a vehicle.
“When I became prime minister, Prof. Apolo Nsibambi requested me to let him use the vehicle he was using. I was using an old vehicle which one time broke down in the middle of traffic. So that new Benz was bought to replace an old vehicle and I never took part in the decision to buy it.”
‘Where has the wealth gone?’
“Affirmative action for northern Uganda. What more will you do for the region?” asks Alex Otto.
“From the day I made the declaration on June 15, I was clear on what should be done,” responds Mbabazi.
“Our economy has expanded from $1.5 billion in 1986 to more than $30 billion. But where is that wealth? Do you see any bit of it? Where has it gone? It is true that the bulk of this is in a few areas of Uganda. I want an equitable share of the wealth.
“Victims of war need special attention, special programmes. I think and I have always argued that whereas I am a great believer of free enterprise, we must reserve a role for state intervention. Like Karamoja has a lot of potential, but no investor will want to go there. It is up to the state to make the place attractive.
“Take an example of sheer butter, people come here, take it away and reap a lot. How come nobody has come to invest in it here? We want to create conditions in the north to attract investment.
“We now have oil, how are we going to use it? We saw this in Congo, where the Belgians created infrastructure for evacuating the riches. We would want equal development for the regions of Uganda.”
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