Bidandi Accepts Museveni LC Task

Dec 21, 2001

LOCAL Government Minister Jaberi Bidandi Ssali has welcomed the appointment by President Yoweri Museveni to head the campaign task force in the forthcoming elections.

By Felix Osike LOCAL Government Minister Jaberi Bidandi Ssali has welcomed the appointment by President Yoweri Museveni to head the campaign task force in the forthcoming elections. Museveni on Thursday named a 19-member Movement’s task force to monitor the local government elections. Bidandi told the New Vision yesterday that the appointment signified the trust the president had in him. “The appointment means continuing with what I have been doing in the presidential and parliamentary elections, mainly mobilising for the elections,” he said. He denied reports that the appointment was meant to silence him after the disagreement with the president on the political parties debate. He also said he was ready to work with other task force members like the Movement’s Director of information, Ofwono Opondo, who has remained critical of his views. “People have got different views. That does not mean that one is departed just because of different views,” Bidandi said. Ofwono yesterday said the minor contradictions within the Movement were resolved at the recently concluded National Executive Committee meeting at Kyankwanzi. Bidandi said the task force would set up campaign machinery at district level to ensure Movement candidates win. He said they would campaign for Movement candidates where they are threatened by multipartyists. Bidandi was also criticised for saying he would vote for Kampala Mayor John Ssebaana Kizito who is being challenged by three Movementists, Wasswa Biriggwa, Wasswa Ziritwawula and RDC Naava Nabagesera. President Museveni has not concealed his opposition to Ssebaana as mayor. But Bidandi said, “That is a matter between me and the ballot box.” Bidandi’s task force includes Opondo, the National Political Commissar, Dr Crispus Kiyonga, Margaret Zziwa in charge of finance, Moses Byaruhanga, the secretary, Mike Mukula, Betty Akech and Bakoko Bakoru. Byaruhanga yesterday said work had already began at the Movement’s task force headquarters at Nakasero. Other members are Beatrice Wabudeya, Daudi Migereko, Christine Aporu, Okumu Ringa, Anifa Kawooya, Mwesigwa Rukutana, Rose Namayanja, Richard Bakojja, Sam Engola, Asaph Ssozi and C. Kiryapawo. The Electoral Commission set January 10 as the polling day for municipal mayors and councillors, city division chairpersons and their councillors. Ends

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