By Simon Naulele
and Henry Atol

THE opposition leaders in Teso have been told to consolidate the support they have in the region so that people do not lose hope in the political process.

The call was made by Mugisha Muntu, a contestant for the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidency, while meeting party leaders at Elcyian Hotel in Soroti district last week.

“The biggest threat is the loss of hope. That is a challenge we must overcome,” he observed.

Muntu reasoned that if most of the opposition supporters lost hope and decided not to vote, it would be easy for the ruling party, the National Resistance Movement (NRM), to influence the voters.

“We must continue working so that our people do not lose hope,” he advised.
In a clarification from FDC, Muntu said the party had lost hope and trust in the Electoral Commission and not that the public had lost hope in FDC party as was reported in The New Vision recently, adding that the commission is not competent and independent.

“The commission is appointed by the President and, therefore, has to favour him. There is no independence in decision making,” he observed.
Muntu pledged that FDC would use the available resources to ensure free and fair elections.

He said as a member of the Inter-Party Cooperation, FDC was lobbying for support for the disbandment of the commission, saying because it is biased.

He was meeting FDC leaders from Kumi, Soroti, Bukedea, Amuria, Kaberamaido and Katakwi districts.

Muntu also accused NRM of using propaganda in the opposition strongholds of West Nile, Acholi, Lango and Teso to discourage people from supporting the opposition.

“You hear them asking people what they have gained from voting for the opposition. This is targeted at disarming people so that they give up.”

Muntu said FDC is the only party that practises internal democracy, unlike the NRM party which is monopolising leadership.