Join DP, Byanyima advises son-in-law

DEMOCRATIC Party (DP) diehard Mrs. Gertrude Kabwasingo Byanyima has advised her son-in-law, Col. Dr. Kiiza Besigye, to contest for the presidency under DP, reports James Mujuni. Byanyima, the retired chairperson of the womens league in DP, yesterday said her family would support Besigye's bid for the presidency whether he contested under the Movement or parties. "Let him present his ideas to us. Even if he stands under the Movement system or the parties, we shall give him all our support," Byanyima said. Besigye announced on Saturday that he intended to stand for the presidency on the Movement ticket. "We support his intentions, but why can't he join us in DP. It would be very good if he joined hands with us in this venture," she said. Kabwasingo is wife to DP national chairman, Mr. Boniface Byanyima. Mr. Byanyima declined to comment, saying he would consult Besigye before making a public statement. Many people in Rukungiri and Mbarara feel a race between Museveni and Besigye will divide Movement votes in western Uganda and weaken the system. Rukungiri has been a pillar for the Movement since 1980. "We are very disappointed with President Museveni. He promised us a tarmac road but for 15 years he has not delivered on it," said a Besigye supporter. Jackson Tumwine, a civil servant in Mbarara, said a contest between Besigye and Museveni could bring back ethnic conflicts in western Uganda.