Mutale begins campaigns in north

By Vision Reporter
MAJOR Roland Kakooza Mutale is in Apac district in exiled UPC leader Milton Obote’s home area to launch his campaign to get support to retain the Movement political system.
There was a flurry of activity at Mutale’s office on Bombo Road in Kampala as members of the National Referendum Committee Movement Side (NRCMS) prepared a motorcade of more than 40 vehicles, which included a yellow bus, for the crusade.
Mutale, a senior presidential advisor on political affairs, declined to comment but one of his aides said, “My boss will talk when we get to Apac.”
The NRCMS secretary general, Humphrey Rugambanengwe, said, “We are in the north and West Nile to launch our campaign to retain the Movement system of government. The launch is being spearheaded by our special mobiliser Maj. Mutale.”
But interim NRM spokesperson Ofwono Opondo described Mutale as a loose cannon. “He is a real loose cannon that will be handled by President Museveni very soon. The public should not worry. He will realise this much later to his peril.”
“President Museveni is campaigning to open up political space and Mutale is deceiving people that he is doing what he is doing on behalf of the President. He must be doing that for the purpose of accountability to whoever gave them money,” he said.
The Electoral Commission (EC) recognised and facilitated rival groups called No Side Referendum Committee led by Bernard Mfitumukiza and another led by Bob Kitariko, the chairperson of the multiparty side that is campaigning to open up political space.
The two groups received sh792,500,000 to share.
EC spokesperson Peter Okello Jabweli said, “The EC acts in accordance with the Constitution and other laws as passed by Parliament. The Referendum Act 2005 gives all Ugandans the right to canvass for support for a system of their choice. So technically and legally that includes Mutale.”
“But the EC recognises Mfitumukiza’s and Kitariko’s groups. But that recognition is for facilitation and coordination.”
NRCMS secretary general Humphrey Rugambanengwe said, “Mutale is leading us because we wrote him an appointment letter and he wrote back accepting our appointment. He said it was a noble cause for the Movement system.
“We are going to campaign in the north and Maj. Mutale is going to champion the struggle to convince our people in the north, including West Nile.”
He said the NRCMS was a merger of four groups and is chaired by Amanda Magambo.
Ends