I am not bigger than NRM, says Museveni

By David Lumu and Richard Drasmaku

NRM Presidential candidate Yoweri Museveni has said that no one within the NRM rank and file is larger than the party.

Emphasising the need to strengthen the NRM party Museveni said: “"Even me, I am not strong as an individual. It is the party that is strong.”

Addressing a rally in Koboko Museveni wondered: “You still have problems with flag bearers. So, I will wait for the NRM electoral Commission to sort out those problems. But what I want you to know is that, others should support whoever is elected as flag bearer.”    

Both Nisura Tiperu and Elly Asiku avoided talking about their political prowess in favour of campaigning for Museveni.

Rashal Occure and former MP for Koboko county Ahmed Awongo are the other contenders for the constituency that spoke.
Museveni described Koboko as a fertile land with spring water and urged people to eradicate poverty by embracing modern agriculture under the government-led Operation Wealth Creation.

He said that his government will in the next five years prioritize the agricultural sector and increase budgetary allocation to the wealth creation program so as to avail enough seedlings and breeding stock to many families and fight poverty especially in the rural areas.

He advised them to embrace modern farming methods backed by planning to spur household income.  He recommended coffee, citrus fruits such as oranges, mangoes and apples growing among other efforts.

He also pledged electricity in Koboko North County adding however, that it was not good to have all the development infrastructures in place and the population continues to live in poverty.

A New Vision survey of 6,626 Ugandans of voting age across the country in July found that poverty is a major issue that voters want addressed. In West Nile, poverty ranked number one at 65%. Poverty was mentioned as the top issue in over three West Nile districts: Arua, Nebbi and Zombo.

Personal security, poor health and roads were the other things that voters said candidates should address, according to the poll.

On the issue of health, Museveni said that although there are still problems of medical officers stealing drugs there has been significant progress, especially on the side of immunizing children.

Pledging to fight medical officers who steal government drugs, Museveni urged parents to vaccinate their children against cervical cancer.

"If you take a girl of 8 or 12 years for immunization, she will not get cervical cancer," he said.

Museveni also said that there is a problem of Hepatitis in Koboko, calling on voters to emphasise hygiene by washing hands.

At Midigo Primary School play grounds in Yumbe district, Museveni said that he was happy to to be in Yumbe when it is peaceful compared to five years back when there was instability.

He pledged to tarmac the road from Koboko-Yumbe-Moyo.  Today, Museveni will campaign in Yumbe, Moyo and Adjumani districts.