Presidential candidate Yoweri Museveni cautioned politicians to stop circulating false information to voters saying constituencies are meant for men but women can only vie for district posts.

This followed an allegation from the MP for Bubulo West, Rose Mutonyi who said her opponents were circulating false information about her.

“The former party secretariat is to be blamed for all this. I can pardon the ones currently in leadership because they are up and down with elections, but the former leadership was doing nothing,” Museveni said.

The party brought balance of power among men and women and the disabled. We even have disabled MPs in the current House such as Baba Diri of Koboko. So, why can’t women compete with men in constituencies?” he asked.

Before I wind up my speech, my people have reminded me of the family of our former freedom fighter, Namilundu, who was killed by former president Idi Amin Dada when they attacked us. I will talk to them after here,” Musveni said.

Namilundu relatives speak out

Girigori Mutenyo: Namilundu was my elder brother and ever since his death, our family has never got peace. We are very poor and we request the President to construct for us houses.

Stella Namilundu: Our brother was the only educated among us. When he died, our father got a stroke and eventually died. We never got a chance to go to school. We want the President to help our children go to school and uplift the standards of our family.

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.

Opposition Forum for Democratic Change presidential candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye has pledged to increase funding for sports should he win the February polls.

While speaking at his first rally in Soroti district on Thursday at Asuret sub-county headquarters, Besigye said talent-nurturing and sports development will be a top priority of his government.

“Uganda has a lot of talent for sports, but the NRM government has not invested in promoting the talents of our people. Instead of developing sporting infrastructure, even the few playgrounds we have are being sold off,” he said.

He promised to invest in sports infrastructure, including establishing sports academies, which he said the NRM government had failed to put in place.

Arguing that the NRM government has been making empty compensation promises, Besigye assured the people of Teso that he will compensate them for the cattle they lost. Soroti Woman MP Angelline Osege said Teso lost a lot of cattle during the insurgency in the area.

Pointing out that 19 women die every day during labour, Osege said NRM has failed to meet the health needs of Ugandans.

Besigye pledged to build better equipped hospitals with adequate medical workers. Reacting to unconfirmed reports that the nurse who guided him while inspecting Abim Hospital had been sacked by the area chief administrative officer, Besigye said this was shameful.

“The hospital is in a sorry state. Instead of apologising to the people of Abim, they are attacking the poor health workers. If it is true they have been sacked, we shall soon bring them back on their jobs when we take over and the ones sacking them will be held accountable,” he warned.

Apart from the education sector promises he has made in other places such as increasing teachers’ salaries and giving free computers to secondary school students, Besigye told Soroti people that he will promote technical and vocational education in order to produce more job makers.

“We have a collapsed education system. We shall invest in quality and relevant education. Priority will be given to vocational training,” he elucidated.

He thanked the people of Teso for the support they have always rendered him and other party candidates and assured them that change is this time inevitable.

Countering President Yoweri Museveni’s recent advice to the people of Soroti to vote NRM candidates so that services can reach them, Besigye said areas represented by NRM have the poorest services.

“Most MPs from Busoga are NRM, but it is one of the poorest regions with people dying of jiggers. There is no single Opposition MP from Bunyoro, but the area is very poor.

“The Government is like a human body. You scratch where it itches. That is why Museveni has promised to compensate Teso, but not Karamoja where he has had a lot of support,” he stated.

On President Museveni’s argument that the Opposition leader’s promises such as increasing teachers’ salaries cannot be fulfilled because the country has a small resource envelope, Besigye said: “I am ready for a public debate with Museveni so that I show him where the money will come from. Ugandans will be able to know who of us is telling lies.”

esigye joins supporters in a traditional dance at ubur rimary chool in orotiBesigye joins supporters in a traditional dance at Tubur Primary School in Soroti

Stella Amuda, a resident of Amuda sub-county, said: “As a young person, I am excited about Besigye’s promise to buy free computers for secondary students. The promise for tractors is also a long overdue idea which can revolutionise agriculture.”

Joseph Obata from Asuret said: “The need to increase teachers’ salaries is a concern for everyone. I am also impressed by Besigye’s plans for the agriculture sector. That is where we have comparative advantage in the international market.” S

haron Atoo said: “I liked the promise to end corruption and wastage in the Government. This is the biggest problem we have in the country.

Hellen Ajumo, a resident of Katine, said: “He has addressed people’s key concerns such as the need to increase salaries, increase investment in agriculture, clean water and stopping the high rate of unemployment.”

In a recent Vision Group poll, voters in Soroti listed the top five concerns as::

• Water and sanitation issues
• Health-related issues
• Education
• Poor road network
• Corruption

Julius Obongo asked the residents what they expect from Besigye today . . .

 Moses Malinga, a casual labourer in Soroti municipality: I expect him to discuss the issue of unemployment among the youth and address the issue of bad roads.

 Jane Akwango, a tailor in Soroti: My major interest as a woman is peace. I expect the presidential candidate to explain how he plans to maintain peace in the country.

 James Aodu, bodaboda cyclist: I expect him to improve the social life of the communities by empowering them economically, especially checking on the value of the shilling that has fallen. Let him tell us how he will do it.

 Rose Alupo, a housewife: I expect the candidate to tackle the issue of domestic violence, which has now become rampant in most families in Uganda. I also expect him to empower women economically by supporting them in their small businesses. I, therefore, expect Besigye to tell us how he will achieve these things.

Christine Otude, a food vendor in Soroti town: I expect him to explain how he will improve the standards of education, which have deteriorated and how he plans to uphold women rights.

The Go-Forward pressure group spearheading the campaign of presidential candidate, Amama Mbabazi has down played allegations of their supporters’ defection to the National Resistance Movement.

“NRM is under pressure to remain relevant in this campaign and political tricks are also allowed, but this particular one of hundreds of supporters abandoning us, surfaces with a lot of contradictions, which means it was stage managed,” Saddam Gayira, the spokesperson of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) told journalists on Wednesday.

PPP founded by former presidential candidate Jaberi Bidandi Ssali, is among the Opposition political parties under The Democratic Alliance (TDA) group supporting Mbabazi’s candidature.

Gayira also noted that earlier the NRM tried to brush off Mbabazi’s presidential bid as one that had no supporters except his wife and close relatives, but after pulling mammoth crowds, they are changing tactic to demoralise his supporters.

“At first they said Mbabazi has no supporters. Now they are saying that his supporters are abandoning him; so what’s the truth? Don’t you realise that these defection claims present serious contradictions?” Gayira who was flanked by former ambassador to US Edith Ssempala and Gilbert Lukyamuzi wondered.

Last week, a group of over 100 officials who claimed to have been Mbabazi’s supporters defected to the ruling NRM.

The group was led by Ronald Tumwine Ssekitoleko who was earlier sacked from Mbabazi camp for allegedly spying for the NRM. The NRM deputy spokesman Ofwono Opondo scoffed at Mbabazi team arguing that they have no monopoly over supporters.

“In their minds, Mbabazi has the capacity to attract defectors from NRM but the President who has delivered services and campaigned vigorously has no ability to woo Go-Forward supporters?” Opondo wondered.

Gayira admitted that Ssekitoleko was working with them.

“Tumwine was part of us but not in a way he was portrayed. He was our mobiliser like millions of other Ugandans out there but he did not head any substantive department so his defection will be of no consequence,” he said.

Sekitoleko claimed he was Mbabazi’s head of field operation and regional committees Gayira alleged that as Mbabazi kicks off his campaign in western Uganda in the districts of Mbarara, Rukungiri and Ntungamo, they have learnt of a plan by some NRM officials to disrupt their rallies.

But Opondo dismissed the allegations.

“Oh my, is this the kind of life people are living here? Do people really stay in these houses? I am literally shedding tears deep inside after seeing this today, I am convinced with no doubt we need change to end this kind of life in Uganda,” stated independent presidential candidate, Amama Mbabazi as he toured Kasokoso slum in Wakiso district on Wednesday.

Unlike his previous rallies, Mbabazi decided to tour slums in Wakiso district, where he got a shock of his life after seeing the kind of lifestyle Ugandans in the outskirts of Kampala are living.

After touring Mutungo, Kasokoso, Kiganda, Kireka and Bweyogerere slums, Mbabazi said his government would ensure decent living for all Ugandans regardless of their social status.

“This is my first time to visit Kasokoso. You people are doing badly, this is unacceptable. The houses here are built in wetlands. As if this is not enough, even the roads are bad,” said Mbabazi.

Accompanied by his supporters, Mbabazi drove through the muddy road of Kasokoso near Kireka town to access Kireka, where he held his first rally.

“Thank God you have experienced it yourself, this is where we live and what hurts is that after voting, you forget about us and we end up living like this,” Robert Makanga, a resident of Kasokoso shouted as Mbabazi’s convoy drove through the slum.

Mbabazi announced that his government will build 661,000 houses for the urban poor Ugandans in the next five years when voted into power.

“When you elect me as president next year, my government will build 661,000 houses so that we can get rid of houses such as those I have seen in Kasokoso.”

A report released last year by Uganda Human Settlement Network, indicated that Uganda will need over 3 million decent housing units to accommodate about 48 million people by 2020. Currently, the country has a backlog of 1.7 million housing units.

In Kireka, Mbabazi promised he would cut State House’s budget up to 60% to find resources for implementation of government programmes to ensure better service delivery.

Mbabazi defended himself against corruption allegations such as the Temangalo saga, saying his government would ensure that corruption is not tolerated in Uganda.

“Corruption is the greatest enemy to development. I will ensure that my government stands firm on the fight against corruption,” said Mbabazi.

Mbabazi also pledged to modernise the railway transport in Uganda by introducing an electric railway line which he said will only take about three hours to reach Mombasa as opposed to the current railway system which takes three days.

The East African countries are working on the standard gauge railway network to improve transport of goods in the region.

Speaking at Ssaza grounds in Kasangati, where he held his second rally, Mbabazi decried the poor health services, road network and education systems which he said were in a sorry state.

“The only way we can change this, is by voting for change. I know many of you are saying why I didn’t work on them when I was still in government, but I did not have the power. Power in Uganda belongs to the President, so vote me as your president and I will put this right,” he said.

In Kasangati, where Mbabazi’s fellow presidential contender Dr. Kizza Besigye resides, Mbabazi was given a tunic and a spear by his supporters at his third rally.

At Nabweru grounds, Mbabazi promised to address poverty in the country which he said has affected the country’s development.

He was given a Bible, a rosary and a watch by his supporters. He said he would soon declare his national taskforce team to help him canvas for votes ahead of next year’s presidential elections.

Catholic priest Fr. Gaetano Batanyenda has welcomed presidential candidate Amama Mbabazi who has pitched camp today in Kabale district as he tries to woo the residents to elect him president come February 18, 2016.

“We have tried to tell the President and the prime minister our problems, but nothing has been done. Our accounts have been frozen due to failure to pay the high taxes, our people cannot afford the interest charged in the three main SACCOS in the area. It is time for President Yoweri Museveni to step down and we get a new leader,” he says.

Mbabazi: I have come here to request you to vote me. I have a lot of plans in my manifesto that will develop the country. All I need is your vote,” Mbabazi tells the people of Muhanga, where he had his first rally in the district.