Owino traders shun Awori bid

By Anne Mugisa Owino market traders yesterday shouted at presidential aspirant Aggrey Awori, saying they would only vote for Nasser Sebaggala and President Yoweri Museveni. Awori, paying an impromptu visit to Owino, walked through the market as most of the traders and their clients simply looked on. "Wano mu Owino ffe tukubira Sebaggala ne Museveni," (In Owino we vote for Sebaggala and Museveni) several people called out. Most people flashed the thumb and two fingers up signs, as Awori and a small group accompanying him walked through the market. Museveni usually uses the thumb and Sebaggala the two fingers signs. Awori told a group of people at the Container Village that if elected president, he would not re-introduce the Uganda Peoples' Congress (UPC). He was reacting to questions from some people on whether he would return the party, which, they said had a bad record. They said the UPC led the attack which destroyed the Lubiri. Awori said he used to be in UPC but now the Constitution stipulates that everyone is in the Movement. Awori said he expected to win the race with a 52% majority. He said Museveni would not cause trouble if he lost the elections because "he controls only 10% of the army." Several people said they were willing to vote for Awori. However, they said they were afraid of the use of digital cameras in the elections because they could be victimised later. Awori promised to help the traders if elected president. Godfrey Nkajja Kayongo, the chairman of Owino Transporters Association, said all presidential aspirants were welcome to the market. Ends.