Awori returns today, sets up city office

PRESIDENTIAL aspirant Aggrey Awori, who returns today from a six-month trip to the US, has opened his campaign office at Nitco House on Bombo Road and a website on the internet, reports Felix Osike. The office, rented at US$1,500 (about sh2.7m) per month, measures about 280sq. feet. It includes a computer room, two conference halls, regional offices, candidate's room and rooms for the campaign managers. Awori will arrive at Entebbe International Airport at 11:00am and proceed to Kampala, according to a statement from his office. His interim campaign team has organised a big reception. He will address a press conference at the International Conference Centre main hall at 2:00pm where he will formally announce his candidature. Awori has been in the US soliciting support from leading personalities. The New Vision has learnt that consultations have been going on with leading personalities of Uganda People's Congress of Cecilia Ogwal's camp and officials of the Democratic Party who have expressed interest to join Awori. Some officials of the youth wing of the DP, the Uganda Young Democrats, visited Awori's campaign office last week. A Makerere University student, Otto Odonga Junior, has been appointed to head Awori's National Youth Desk. Awori has also acquired a website: http://www.awori2001.net to drum up support from Ugandans in the diaspora. The site is decorated with the national flag and Awori's photo against a blue background. It has Awori's profile with the words, "Ugandans please meet your next president. Time for change." It also has pages on campaign contributions, summary of the history of Uganda and Awori's vision for Uganda. His vision is drawn from a seven-point plan, which includes promotion and protection of democratic pluralism and fundamental human rights. His plans also include progressive reduction of poverty, corruption and provision of free education for all. Others are elevation of women and youth to full participation in public affairs, fulfilment of the state's obligation to provide peace and security and peaceful co-existence with neighbouring countries. Ends.