Miria addresses rally in darkness
Jan 08, 2006
Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) presidential candidate Miria Kalule Obote was forced to address a rally in darkness on Friday after power went off shortly before she arrived in Lira town.
By Ali Mao and James Oloch
Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) presidential candidate Miria Kalule Obote was forced to address a rally in darkness on Friday after power went off shortly before she arrived in Lira town.
The power blackout was due to normal load-shedding. The organisers provided a generator to light only one bulb to allow the UPC party president read through her manifesto.
UPC supporters, who thronged Coronation Park as early as 3:00pm, waited in vain till 7:00pm, prompting many to go away. Miria was still campaigning in Olilim in Otuke county.
On Saturday, Miria held rallies in Amolatar district and Dokolo. She addressed a huge crowd that filled Amolatar district headquarters.
Her first rally was held at Namasale primary school where she spoke in Luganda. Her speech was translated into Luo for the crowd.
Among other things, Miria said she was not campaigning for FDC presidential candidate Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye.
“We are not campaigning for any other candidate. we are campaigning for UPC and I am campaigning for myself, not for any other leader.
“Some of you have been confused that I am campaigning for another candidate. Vote for Mama Miria Obote for president and for all UPC candidates,†she told her supporters.
Miria said UPC would bring total peace in Uganda after 20 years of war. She said President Yoweri Museveni had failed to end the LRA war for the last 18 years and thus subjected the people of northern Uganda to suffering.
At the rally in Lira Municipality, Miria said her government would address and support women’s organisations.
She said the UPC government would create an enabling environment for women not to entirely depend on their husbands but engage in income-generating activities.
“Women, I am your fellow widow, I know the problems women go through, let’s wake up and pull our socks to give this country a new look through voting a woman leader and we address our common problems collectively,†Miria appealed.
She said the UPC government would set up a truth and reconciliation commission for people to testify about the atrocities committed during and before Museveni’s regime.
“We want internal reconciliation and to live in peace with our neighbouring countries. UPC is not a war-monger and can bring peace through votes because it’s the only party that delivers and keeps its promises,†Miria said.
She also pledged to give scholarships to bright students irrespective of their religion or tribe.
Accompanied by her adviser and Lira Woman MP Margaret Ateng Otim, personal assistant Jimmy Akena and Akbar Adoko Nekyon, Miria said her government would tap talented Ugandans to boost sports activities in the country.
Ends
Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) presidential candidate Miria Kalule Obote was forced to address a rally in darkness on Friday after power went off shortly before she arrived in Lira town.
The power blackout was due to normal load-shedding. The organisers provided a generator to light only one bulb to allow the UPC party president read through her manifesto.
UPC supporters, who thronged Coronation Park as early as 3:00pm, waited in vain till 7:00pm, prompting many to go away. Miria was still campaigning in Olilim in Otuke county.
On Saturday, Miria held rallies in Amolatar district and Dokolo. She addressed a huge crowd that filled Amolatar district headquarters.
Her first rally was held at Namasale primary school where she spoke in Luganda. Her speech was translated into Luo for the crowd.
Among other things, Miria said she was not campaigning for FDC presidential candidate Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye.
“We are not campaigning for any other candidate. we are campaigning for UPC and I am campaigning for myself, not for any other leader.
“Some of you have been confused that I am campaigning for another candidate. Vote for Mama Miria Obote for president and for all UPC candidates,†she told her supporters.
Miria said UPC would bring total peace in Uganda after 20 years of war. She said President Yoweri Museveni had failed to end the LRA war for the last 18 years and thus subjected the people of northern Uganda to suffering.
At the rally in Lira Municipality, Miria said her government would address and support women’s organisations.
She said the UPC government would create an enabling environment for women not to entirely depend on their husbands but engage in income-generating activities.
“Women, I am your fellow widow, I know the problems women go through, let’s wake up and pull our socks to give this country a new look through voting a woman leader and we address our common problems collectively,†Miria appealed.
She said the UPC government would set up a truth and reconciliation commission for people to testify about the atrocities committed during and before Museveni’s regime.
“We want internal reconciliation and to live in peace with our neighbouring countries. UPC is not a war-monger and can bring peace through votes because it’s the only party that delivers and keeps its promises,†Miria said.
She also pledged to give scholarships to bright students irrespective of their religion or tribe.
Accompanied by her adviser and Lira Woman MP Margaret Ateng Otim, personal assistant Jimmy Akena and Akbar Adoko Nekyon, Miria said her government would tap talented Ugandans to boost sports activities in the country.
Ends