Senkubuge quits race

By Elizabeth Kameo CHARLES James Senkubuge has withdrawn from the presidential race, saying his life was in danger. He said he would run for the parliamentary elections instead. "For a long time now we have received anonymous phone-calls of a threatening nature with statements like 'Senkubuge weyita ki?'" (Senkubuge, who do you think you are?), he said in a statement yesterday. He said he had been advised by family, supporters and other Ugandans to stand down. "I have had long and tedious consultations but the will of my "task force" has been tried and now they say is the time to leave," he said. Senkubuge did not indicate if he would back any of the remaining candidates for the March 6 presidential elections. The statement said, "Before I go, I must say the war has just begun. One battle may be lost but the struggle continues. I call upon all my supporters not to despair but the time shall come when the war must end and victory is ours." Senkubuge said he would stand for a parliamentary seat when the time comes. "I pledge to serve the people of Uganda through Parliament. I shall offer myself to the people of my constituency (Busiro South) for election to any office when the people request me to do so. Where there is a will, there is a way," he said. Senkubuge said he would not ask his supporters to vote for any particular candidate. He said the main reason for his withdrawal from the race was "the numerous bizarre and life threatening happenings." The Electoral Commission said in a statement yesterday, "The Electoral Commission informs the general public that pursuant to the provisions of section 15 of the Presidential Elections Act No.17 of 2000, presidential candidate Charles James Senkubuge has withdrawn from the presidential race 2001." The withdrawal was announced at Senkubuge's campaign offices at the Pride Theatre, Namirembe Road. His campaigners attacked journalists. Wilberforcce Mutete, identified by the Police as Corporal No 15687, grabbed digital and video cameras from The New Vision and WBS Television reporters. He shouted at them, threatening to shoot them with a pistol. Mutete has been in charge of security on Senkubuge's campaign team. Senkubuge had promised to make Ugandans happier. He said he was a new comer with new ideas. Early this week, he was stranded on Kampala Road for lack of fuel. Ends.