Besigye, Muntu in campaign
Jan 20, 2010
FORUM for Democratic Change presidential hopefuls, Dr. Kizza Besigye and Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu addressed a joint press conference yesterday to launch the campaign for votes.
By Charles Ariko
FORUM for Democratic Change presidential hopefuls, Dr. Kizza Besigye and Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu addressed a joint press conference yesterday to launch the campaign for votes.
The two rivals aspiring to be elected FDC flag-bearers for next year’s presidential elections dispelled fears that the party was divided.
There have been reports of tension between the supporters of Besigye and Muntu.
“Our party is undertaking a new approach to politics in this country. We do not believe in a one-man’s vision.
“That is why we are going to campaign. After the campaigns, the best candidate will become our party bearer,†Besigye said.
He explained that in FDC, a presidential candidate does not necessarily need to be the party president.
“Any registered party member can contest as a presidential candidate,†Besigye said.
He dispelled allegations that the party had been divided into two factions, with one camp belonging to him and the other to Mugisha Muntu.
“FDC believes that all members of the party have good ideas. We are not opponents as some people want the public to believe. The purpose of our campaign is to influence the electorate,†Besigye said.
Mugisha Muntu will today launch his campaign at Pope Paul VI Memorial Hotel in Ndeeba, while Besigye is expected to launch his campaign tomorrow at a location yet to be decided.
The two candidates were nominated last week, indicating that they wish to run as presidential candidates next year.
During the press conference yesterday, both Mugisha Muntu and Besigye said FDC will field only one candidate who garners more votes during the national delegates conference scheduled for March.
The two candidates have been given 90 days by the FDC electoral commissioner Dan Mugarura to criss-cross the country canvassing for votes.
Besigye advised Muntu to be careful as he heads out to start campaigning. “There are hostile elements out there. Take care,†Besigye advised as Muntu smiled.
Muntu said the campaigns were meant to popularise the party and to make the electorate understand the process through which party presidential candidates are elected.
“Our people should have hope as we build the identity of our party,†the retired army commander said.
Muntu said democracy had not yet taken root in Uganda, an issue he said the FDC was trying to address.
“We need our supporters to understand political processes. We can only do that by rebuilding trust among the electorate,†Muntu said.
FORUM for Democratic Change presidential hopefuls, Dr. Kizza Besigye and Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu addressed a joint press conference yesterday to launch the campaign for votes.
The two rivals aspiring to be elected FDC flag-bearers for next year’s presidential elections dispelled fears that the party was divided.
There have been reports of tension between the supporters of Besigye and Muntu.
“Our party is undertaking a new approach to politics in this country. We do not believe in a one-man’s vision.
“That is why we are going to campaign. After the campaigns, the best candidate will become our party bearer,†Besigye said.
He explained that in FDC, a presidential candidate does not necessarily need to be the party president.
“Any registered party member can contest as a presidential candidate,†Besigye said.
He dispelled allegations that the party had been divided into two factions, with one camp belonging to him and the other to Mugisha Muntu.
“FDC believes that all members of the party have good ideas. We are not opponents as some people want the public to believe. The purpose of our campaign is to influence the electorate,†Besigye said.
Mugisha Muntu will today launch his campaign at Pope Paul VI Memorial Hotel in Ndeeba, while Besigye is expected to launch his campaign tomorrow at a location yet to be decided.
The two candidates were nominated last week, indicating that they wish to run as presidential candidates next year.
During the press conference yesterday, both Mugisha Muntu and Besigye said FDC will field only one candidate who garners more votes during the national delegates conference scheduled for March.
The two candidates have been given 90 days by the FDC electoral commissioner Dan Mugarura to criss-cross the country canvassing for votes.
Besigye advised Muntu to be careful as he heads out to start campaigning. “There are hostile elements out there. Take care,†Besigye advised as Muntu smiled.
Muntu said the campaigns were meant to popularise the party and to make the electorate understand the process through which party presidential candidates are elected.
“Our people should have hope as we build the identity of our party,†the retired army commander said.
Muntu said democracy had not yet taken root in Uganda, an issue he said the FDC was trying to address.
“We need our supporters to understand political processes. We can only do that by rebuilding trust among the electorate,†Muntu said.