Ssenkubuge opens campaign with pomp

By Hamis Kaheru PRESIDENTIAL candidate Charles Ssenkubuge yesterday launched his manifesto at a ceremony that turned out to be a live music show. Ssenkubuge had several local musicians and radio presenters who entertained the crowd near his home at Nakawuka, Mpigi, with popular Luganda songs, leaving most of the crowd dancing. Ssenkubuge, a popular Kampala actor, sent the crowd wild when he said it was wrong to say he was seeking elective office for the first time. He said he stood when his mother-in-law wanted "candidates for her daughter's heart and my wife elected me her husband." He was applauded when he said he had come with beautiful ideas and beautiful faces, adding, "my wife is also beautiful." His wife and mother stood by his side on the truck where the band was mounted. In his brief manifesto, Ssenkubuge said he would restore defunct marketing boards and co-operative unions and fix prices for agricultural produce. He said he would re-establish the defunct public transport companies. He said he would set up more health centres and establish a pension for the aged. He promised to increase salaries for teachers and doctors and to introduce universal technical and vocational education, not universal secondary education for primary school leavers. He said there were more job opportunities in woodwork, drama, pottery and technical drawing. Ronald Mayinja sent the audience into a frenzy with his popular song, Ritah, substituting Ritah with Ssenkubuge's name. He sung, "Salawo Ssenkubuge, oribeela nafe, kale njakulinda sija kukoowa (Decide Ssenkubuge, you will be ours, we shall not stop waiting). Mariam Ndagire also entertained the crowd, sending the audience into singing, "Mwaagala nyo Ssebo wange oyo(I love my man so much). CBS presenters Medi Nsereko Sebuliba and Mulindwa Muwonge also entertained the crowd. Ssenkubuge said he would tarmac the road to Nakawuka immediately after assuming office because he would be meeting foreign dignitaries there. He said he would appoint President Museveni his adviser based in Rwakitura. "If Museveni wins the election, he will erase all his achievements and lose a chance to be a statesman like Julius Nyerere and Nelson Mandela," he said. Ends.