Muntu tells supporters peaceful persistence will bring transition

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For the better part of Sunday, October 12, the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) presidential candidate took on the role of a preacher, seeking to restore hope among residents who expressed disillusionment with the ballot.

These sentiments came to a head in Sanje town in Kyotera district, where a young man named Rashid questioned whether a peaceful handover of power could take place.

He remarked that the current system seems skewed towards those in power and suggested that perhaps only force could bring about a transition.

However, Muntu, repeating himself for the umpteenth time, warned that guns are not an end in themselves.

He noted that the barrel often has an intoxicating effect, which he said is evident in the way the incumbent regime conducts itself.  

"I am not willing to use other channels to change government. The only way to capture power is through the power of the people, when they understand that they hold that power,” he stated.

Rather, he argued that a massive turnout in favour of the opposition can yield tangible results.

"Let's be patient and see what will emerge where we are headed," Muntu assured.

Before long, another hand emerged from the crowd. This time, Vincent Muyanja asked why the opposition has failed to front one candidate.

"Why can't you all unite behind one candidate who can compete with the man, and we all back him?" asked Muyanja.

Responding, Muntu said that while that works in countries which run in a proper and calm manner, in Uganda, it is still a long shot.

He further pointed out that in emerging democracies like Uganda, where people follow individuals, this would have an alienating effect — something he said would play in favour of the incumbent regime if that joint bid were to fail.

"People who support Hon. Kyagulanyi, if he were to support me, out of 100 his supporters, not more than 40 would put their weight behind him," Muntu hypothesised.

Adding that the same applies vice versa.

From there, the retired former army commander’s caravan headed for Kibaale town, Rakai, where he was met with requests for financial assistance. 

One Salongo Segawa asked him for money to develop his coffee plantation, while a differently abled individual who had allegedly been evicted from his two bibanja requested a wheelchair, which Muntu promised to look into.