Awori denies merger

By Felix Osike PRESIDENTIAL candidate Aggrey Awori has denied reports that he is in merger talks with Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye. There were press reports on Saturday that Awori held a meeting with Besigye aimed at forging an alliance ahead of the March 6 polls. But a January 20 statement from Awori's campaign office said their opponents had fabricated the rumours. "The task force of Awori 2001 with deep concern informs the public and Awori supporters in particular, that the rumour going round town about a possible alliance between Awori and Besigye is totally unfounded and is meant to intimidate our supporters," said the statement. It said Awori would neither form an alliance with a Movement candidate nor step down for other candidates. "At no single moment can Awori think of betraying the course of multiparty democracy in Uganda. We are very strong and the most favourable to the electorate and we are sure of victory," the statement said. Besigye's National Task Force Chairman, Sam Kalega Njuba, said they had never talked to Awori about a possible merger. But he admitted having talked to Makerere University guild president Asuman Basalirwa who has reportedly been in Awori's camp. In a separate statement, Awori's team also denied reports that Henry Lubowa and 59 Uganda Young Democrats members who defected to the Movement were in their camp. Lubowa last week said they were forced to defect because Awori had become a liar. "We would also like the public to know that Aggrey Awori has never promised any Ugandan a phone nor a motor cycle." The statement said, "Let Ugandans know that Aggrey Awori does not do the politics of money. He earns his money by his sweat unlike those who earn from state coffers." Ends