Note, last minute tricks are futile

WITH only 14 days left to cast our votes in the Presidential election, despair is running high in some campaign task forces, pushing them use any futile measure they believe will help them hoodwink Ugandans. In particular, candidate Aggrey Awori, a known high flyer, is now claiming that Government has blocked his campaign helicopter to frustrate him. Awori has further alleged that Bank of Uganda has also blocked his campaign funds from the US. Awori should be advised to have his money sent by the electronic method, and preferably through Western Union. Our team is aware of various sinister strategies, especially by Awori and the Elect Dr. Kizza Besigye teams, to hype up false claims of election rigging. Intelligence reports indicate that Besigye through his erstwhile special campaign agent Nasser Sebaggala is planning a series of abductions of their own supporters, so as to blame it on Presidential candidate Yoweri Museveni. Already, their unrelenting propaganda about campaign violence has not raised sufficient sympathy for Besigye, who is fast losing support on account of the abusive and open lies he peddles. Just two days ago Anne Mugisha who heads Besigye's publicity desk spread false news tips to the media houses that Col. Peter Kerim was arrested for allegedly supporting Besigye. Unfortunately for Anne Mugisha, press called up Museveni's publicity department and the falsehood was contained. This rumour on Col. Kerim's purported arrest was meant to disrupt our massive support all over the country generally but particularly in Nebbi where Kerim hails from. The Besigye camp is spending sleepless nights planning tricks that will justify their loosing, and portray the whole exercise as not having been free and fair. Complaints by Col. Besigye that Museveni's team influenced the award of the ballot paper tender (as if Museveni's NTF was the authority to award tenders). Threats of violence by Ken Lukyamuzi and Sebaggala allegations that Colonels and Major Generals plan to abduct their agents on the eve of the elections and alleged harassment of their supporters by state agents. These are all clear manifestations of their tricks and orchestrated mechanisms meant to portray a picture of unfairness and injustice in the polls. They have also given themselves high percentage points even before events prove otherwise. However, we are not surprised. It is typical of the whole team, including their candidate Besigye, to always fake events to scare and cause stampede. If our good research network had not discovered and exposed Besigye's planned hiding and claim that he was abducted the scenario would be different today. Having discovered these tricks of cowardice, therefore, from the Besigye group, we wish to assure the public and Ugandans in particular that the polls will be free and fair to all concerned. Those who falsely believe in intimidation and other related election malpractice will be dealt with swiftly, firmly, and decisively as the law stipulates. Some of Besigye's supporters in Kayunga and Kampala suburbs who have sharpened machetes in readiness for violence when Museveni wins should be advised to put these tools to more productive ventures like clearing bushes to plant coffee and food crops. The Electoral Commission is expected in accordance with the law to exercise the highest degree of fairness, impartiality, and independence during and after the polls. All Ugandans and monitors should scrutinise the voters' registers once the Electoral Commission displays them. In the unlikely event of a defeat, candidate Museveni and his supporters are prepared to concede in line with our known respect for majority decisions in a free and fair exercise. However, if our opponents fail to get agents at some polling stations they should not claim unfairness. No armed forces will influence any voting activity on March 7th, and their good record is well known and tested. Members of the armed forces who are registered voters will vote in their capacities as citizens and none shall possess any firearms in the voting yard for purposes of intimidating other voters. But police and other forces dully authorised by law and the Electoral Commission may be deployed to protect the voting exercises. No foreigners shall "flock" Uganda to vote for Museveni as being alleged by Louis Otika, the Coordinator of the Besigye camp. In most of our villages residents know each other very well and hence, there is no need to be unduly worried about alleged aliens. The aliens cannot come and vote because even the Bataka will reject them as unknown to them. The Movement built structures that empowered citizens through the ballot. This is not the first time to vote and even vote for the President. Our opponents and critics should concede the defeat that is staring them in the face instead of making false and alarmist stories. Ofwono-Opondo DEPUTY PUBLICITY CHAIRMAN Y.K.M - N.T.F Ends