VP receives 600 people from opposition

Dec 31, 2009

OVER 670 people have defected from the opposition to the ruling NRM party.<br>Their reasons included disorganisation, poor mobilisation and lack of visionary leadership within their different parties.

By Catherine Bekunda

OVER 670 people have defected from the opposition to the ruling NRM party.
Their reasons included disorganisation, poor mobilisation and lack of visionary leadership within their different parties.

Vice-President Prof. Gilbert Bukenya on Wednesday welcomed them to the NRM and assured them that they had made a wise decision.

A total of 220 people were from Katabi sub-county in Wakiso district, 65 from Luwero district and 385 from Kamwokya in Kampala central.

Several defectors handed over their DP and FDC party cards to Bukenya while others gave in letters appointing them as FDC campaign agents.

The colourful function was held at Katomi Kingdom Resort in Garuga near Bukenya’s home on Wednesday.
There was drama when the people from Luwero brought the dummy of FDC president Dr. Kizza Besigye and handed it over to the NRM party leaders.

“We have voted for this man twice but he has failed to take power so we have decided to join the strong,” said Juma Wamuti while handing over the dummy.

Bob Ssensalire Kiwanuka, a DP mobiliser from Kamwokya, told the gathering that DP was engaged in rigging polls.

Notable among the defectors was the Kamwokya LCI chairman, Fred Nyanzi, who has been a strong DP supporter and mobiliser.

Bukenya handed the defectors NRM party cards and invited them to a dance that lasted till late in the night.

“You have chosen the light because this party is developmental,” Bukenya assured the new-comers.

He described their joining as a good New Year gift and a sign that the NRM was still strong and ahead of other parties.

Bukenya who confessed to being booed by residents of Katabi and Kamwokya on several occasions acknowledged that their crossing had given him a lot of power in the central region.

“Buganda should be the steering wheel of the NRM,” he noted.

Bukenya assured the people that the problems of Kampala and Buganda would be no more if NRM got most support in all the constituencies.

He pledged to equip the youth from Kamwokya with skills in small-scale industry and offered sh10m to the people of Katabi to start a savings and credit scheme organisation.

The first batch of youth is expected to begin training by January 15. Others will also be trained in tailoring, embroidery and chalk making to supply universal primary schools, Bukenya added.

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