Former VP Bukenya joins opposition in Luweero polls

May 21, 2014

Former Vice-President Gilbert Bukenya has joined the opposition in Luweero campaigns.

By Vision Reporter

Former Vice-President Gilbert Bukenya caused a stir in Luweero on Tuesday when he turned up to campaign for the DP candidate in the impending Luweero woman MP bye-election, Brenda Nabukenya.

He told supporters at Nabukenya’s final rally in Luweero town council that the DP candidate was heading for victory ‘unless the election is rigged.’

“The only reason why Brenda may fail to win is when the election is rigged, “Bukenya told hundreds of Nabukenya’s supporters who jammed Luweero sports grounds for the afternoon rally.

Traffic came to a standstill as hundreds of chanting and drumming Nabukenya’s supporters matched through Luweero town while heading for Nabukenya’s rally.

The only DP and opposition candidate in the four-candidate race is tussling it out with the NRM’s Rebecca Nalwanga and two independents.

At that very time, President Museveni who joined the NRM candidate Rebecca Nalwanga’s campaign trail on Monday was addressing a rally in Ziroobwe sub-county in Bamunanika County.
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NRM supporters at a rally in Zirobwe in Luweero.

Bukenya hailed the DP and FDC leadership in Luweero for fielding a single candidate, saying that the unity between the two parties opened a new chapter that would help the opposition to reach power.

“This is a new chapter and it has started here in Luweero. Instead of being given all the time, we should be the ones giving” he said.

He said the NRM’s Nalwanga who was in parliament before Nabukenya, had been a burden.

“You are going to help us get rid of a burden. We have been carrying a big luggage without knowing what is inside,” he said.

The rally was attended by various opposition politicians who among others, included: FDC president Mugisha Muntu, his UPC counterpart Olara Otunnu, opposition MPs: Latif Sebaggala, Bayigga Lulume, Balikuddembe, and Mukasa Kivumbi and top DP officials.

Luwero town council LC3 Chairman Chairman, Charles Sebyala said the rulling NRM party was mocking Luweero by referring to the area as its Mecca.

“I am a Catholic who speaks the truth. Although NRM says Luweero its political Mecca, it has done little to develop the area,” Sebyala said, citing poor infrastructure in the district.

Luweero election campaigns heat up