Go Forward launches fundraising campaign

By Umaru Kashaka   

The Go Forward pressure group has launched a fundraising campaign for its independent presidential candidate, Amama Mbabazi.

The campaign, dubbed 'One Million for Change', also aims at getting one million people to protect Mbabazi's votes and another one million to do door-to-door campaigns for him.

It was started by people who claimed to have been marginalised by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government.

Addressing a press conference at Go Forward offices in Nakasero on Wednesday, the One Million for Change spokesperson, Robert Ssajjabbi, said Uganda was ready and they were equal to the task.

"From this day forth, we resolve to gather one million people for kakuyege (grass root canvassing), one million vote guards and one million funders. If time is money, then you cannot lack both. You either volunteer your time or money," Ssajjabbi said to the Go Forward supporters.

He said One Million for Change was about people, action, life and a new Uganda.

"We here by resolve to surrender; our time, newtworks and both human and financial resources," he stated.

Ssajjabbi claimed the NRM presidential candidate Yoweri Museveni had crime preventers and Mbabazi had the people.

"No amount of intimidation shall stop us from aspiring for a Uganda that works for everyone," Ssajjabbi said as several youth in front of him kept chanting; "Mbabazi oyee, Go Forward oyee," every time they felt he had hammered home a point of interest.

He stressed that "the existing draconian laws and resident district commissioners cannot stop an idea whose time has come".

Uganda's former ambassador to the United States, Edith Ssempala, who flagged off the activists, said they were determined to realise a Uganda that works for everyone.

"I am very excited to be part of the change that is coming. No more chief administrative officers voting, no more underage voting and no more ballot stuffing. Yes we are going to be intimidated, but not cowed down," she said.

A group which called itself Kampala Metropolitan People's Association handed in a bank receipt of sh1m and vowed to mobilise for more funds.

"We have many groups and individuals who are funding our campaign but they asked not to be named, saying they feared retribution," Tonny Ssebugwawo, the One Million for Change chairperson, said.

A register for Go Forward supporters was also launched.

Ssempala also gave them a Toyota Noah, which she said had been soaked in the blood of Jesus to protect it and its occupants from the political enemies as they crisscross the country searching for votes.