Presidential campaigns start in Buganda

Oct 27, 2010

THE 2011 presidential campaign kicks off today. Seven of the eight candidates will launch their campaign in Buganda, signaling the importance of the region in the 2011 race. Norbert Mao of the DP is yet to reveal his plan.

By Barbara Among

THE 2011 presidential campaign kicks off today. Seven of the eight candidates will launch their campaign in Buganda, signaling the importance of the region in the 2011 race. Norbert Mao of the DP is yet to reveal his plan.

The candidates are incumbent President Yoweri Museveni of the NRM, Kizza Besigye of FDC, Mao of DP, Olara Otunnu of UPC and Bidandi Ssali of the Peoples Progressive Party.

The others are Beti Kamya of the Uganda Federal Alliance, Abed Bwanika of the Peoples Development Party and independent Samuel Lubega.

The NRM, DP and FDC competed for attention in Kampala on Monday as each mobilised supporters to attend their inaugural rallies.

The candidates have 112 days, starting today, to cover the 112 districts.

Elections are scheduled for February 18.

Kamya, Bidandi Ssali and Bwanika will kick off their campaign today, according to a tentative programme from the Electoral Commission.

On Monday, November 1, the NRM and FDC will start the third round of their fight for power which pits Museveni against Besigye.

The NRM campaigns in Kampala on November 1, before proceeding to Luwero district, which has always been its starting point, on November 2. Nakaseke and Nakasongola will follow on November 3.

The FDC will launch its hunt for votes in Masaka district on November 1, then to Lwengo on November 2 and Sembabule on November 3. The UPC, will begin in Nakaseke on November 1, then proceed to Kiboga and Mityana districts.

Kamya today starts in Mukono district, then moves to Mityana, Mpigi, Wakiso, Entebbe and Masaka over the weekend.

Bidandi plans a rally in Mpigi today, and in Gombe, Mukono and Kayunga at the weekend. Bwanika is in Wakiso today and in Mityana and Kampala on October 31.

Samuel Lubega, who is heading a faction of DP, starts in his home area of Bukomansimbi on November 1. The commission yesterday cautioned Lubega against using the DP symbols and colours, warning that he risks having his name deleted from the ballot papers.

“He is an independent candidate. His symbol has been rejected and we will not allow it to be on any posters. He has also colours similar to that of another political party.

“We have advised him on that,” said deputy spokeperson Paul Bukenya.

“If he insists, he risks putting his campaign in danger. We cannot put the symbol and colours on the ballot paper,” Bukenya warned.

The seven parties agreed during a meeting with the commission yesterday that the campaign timetable be harmonised basing on the first come, first serve basis.

The commission said NRM and UFA submitted their campaign timetables first. It promised the final timetable today. “We want to have a peaceful campaign and avoid any clashes,” said Bukenya.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});