Comedian causes drama at nomination
Oct 26, 2010
COMEDIAN Paddy Ssali Bitama and theatrics are inseparable, and when it came to his nomination yesterday, he did not disappoint.He provided light moments to the hitherto politically charged two-day exercise.
By Steven By Candia and Joyce Namutebi
COMEDIAN Paddy Ssali Bitama and theatrics are inseparable, and when it came to his nomination yesterday, he did not disappoint.He provided light moments to the hitherto politically charged two-day exercise.
Bitama of the Amarula Family and the head of the Focus Party rode to Namboole stadium, the venue of the nominations, in a Silver C240 Mercedes Benz, in a convoy of several vehicles and boda boda cyclists.
Waving to cheering fans on Jinja Road in Nakawa from the rooftop of the limousine, Bitama laughed and shook his head all the way.
The comedian laughed uncontrollably and was joined by the public who also went up in raucous laughter.
The Police on duty could not help but laugh when the comedian pulled up at 1:43pm, one hour after the Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) candidate, Dr. Olara Otunnu, had passed.
But the highlight was at the Spear Motors T-junction, where only presidential nominees were allowed through, provided they had the right stickers.
However, when a senior traffic officer waved down Bitama’s convoy and announced that he would not let him through, the laughing Bitama pleaded with the officer.
“I had the sticker but they took it yesterday and told me to go for another but I was so busy. I had engagements and so could not go and pick the sticker,†he said.
“Officer, I am late. Time is not on my side, allow me go,†Bitama pleaded. The Police allowed through only Bitama’s car. But as the driver stepped on the accelerator, Bitama called his vice-president, fellow comedian Amooti, to join him in the car. Amooti instead jumped into the boot as the car sped away, with Bitama waving a handkerchief.
However, Bitama was blocked by security from entering Namboole. A Police officer ordered him to first get clearance from the Electoral Commission in Kampala.
Before leaving Namboole, Bitama said he would petition if the commission refused to clear him.
Asked if he was serious, Bitama remarked: “Do not see me as a comedian.â€
His colleague Amooti commented in Luganda: “Do you want him to remove his trousers to show that he is serious?†Bitama left when the Police ordered him to clear the way for another candidate.
“I will become a leader, no matter what,†he vowed.
COMEDIAN Paddy Ssali Bitama and theatrics are inseparable, and when it came to his nomination yesterday, he did not disappoint.He provided light moments to the hitherto politically charged two-day exercise.
Bitama of the Amarula Family and the head of the Focus Party rode to Namboole stadium, the venue of the nominations, in a Silver C240 Mercedes Benz, in a convoy of several vehicles and boda boda cyclists.
Waving to cheering fans on Jinja Road in Nakawa from the rooftop of the limousine, Bitama laughed and shook his head all the way.
The comedian laughed uncontrollably and was joined by the public who also went up in raucous laughter.
The Police on duty could not help but laugh when the comedian pulled up at 1:43pm, one hour after the Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) candidate, Dr. Olara Otunnu, had passed.
But the highlight was at the Spear Motors T-junction, where only presidential nominees were allowed through, provided they had the right stickers.
However, when a senior traffic officer waved down Bitama’s convoy and announced that he would not let him through, the laughing Bitama pleaded with the officer.
“I had the sticker but they took it yesterday and told me to go for another but I was so busy. I had engagements and so could not go and pick the sticker,†he said.
“Officer, I am late. Time is not on my side, allow me go,†Bitama pleaded. The Police allowed through only Bitama’s car. But as the driver stepped on the accelerator, Bitama called his vice-president, fellow comedian Amooti, to join him in the car. Amooti instead jumped into the boot as the car sped away, with Bitama waving a handkerchief.
However, Bitama was blocked by security from entering Namboole. A Police officer ordered him to first get clearance from the Electoral Commission in Kampala.
Before leaving Namboole, Bitama said he would petition if the commission refused to clear him.
Asked if he was serious, Bitama remarked: “Do not see me as a comedian.â€
His colleague Amooti commented in Luganda: “Do you want him to remove his trousers to show that he is serious?†Bitama left when the Police ordered him to clear the way for another candidate.
“I will become a leader, no matter what,†he vowed.