Muntu camp urges Nandala to quit race

By Henry Sekanjako and Shamim Saad      

Major General Mugisha Muntu's campaign team has asked the leader of Opposition Nandala Mafabi to quit the FDC presidency race for their candidate.

Addressing a news conference in Kampala, Aruu county MP Odonga Otto urged Nandala to leave the race for Muntu saying he was better suited for the position given his military skills.

"I will persuade Nandala and I believe he will quit the race, we need a candidate that can have the 'Kenyan orange coalition' and Muntu can give us hope and respect. What he did in northern Uganda is evident enough, he reprimanded officials that were violating peoples human rights," said Otto.

The campaign chief for Mugisha Muntu Dr. Francis Epetait, said FDC needed a strong leader who would transform the party to take up national leadership.

The officials who addressed the press conference included former Busongora North MP Christopher Kibanzanga, and Rubaga Division Mayor Joyce Ssebugwawo, among others.

 "We want to have a united party, we should come together and unite the party, those mixing up issues should relax. We want a leader who will lay a firm foundation for the party ahead of 2016 general elections," argued Kibanzanga.

As campaigns for Forum for democratic change (FDC) party President continue to gain momentum, Muntu's campaign team lashed at Nandala over what they termed tribal sentiments which they say may deter the party from taking over power come 2016.

They accused Nandala of de-campaigning   Muntu by urging FDC supporters to only vote for someone who comes from the East and not the West.  

But the Muntu camp couldn't substantiate the accusation against Nandala. The team didn't indicate where exactly Nandala made the comments. Nandala's campaign chief, Maj Rubaramira Ruranga is from the western Uganda and he is also backed by Jack Sabiiti from Kabale.

Efforts to get comments from Nandala or his publicity chief Sarah Eperu were futile.

"These are our in-house elections, and if it is in house, we need to give Ugandans hope as we prepare for 2016," said Beatrice Anywar (Kitgum district).

"Both Muntu and Nandala are my bosses and above all Nandala is my uncle, but I am choosing Muntu because he is my best," Anywar added.