Bukenya urges fellow politicians to accept defeat

Former Vice President, Prof. Gilbert Bukenya has urged candidates who stood for several political positions at presidential and parliamentary level to accept the final outcomes of the results to promote peace.

Speaking to New Vision, in an interview last week, Bukenya stressed that in any contest, there is always one winner, a principle he says should be respected.

"There is no need for hate and demonstrations if you have been defeated because we cannot have two winners.  Those who fail to win should remain calm to promote peace. Those with genuine reason can go to courts of law for redress," he said.

Bukenya who was also fighting to retain his Busiro North seat, was defeated by Dennis Galabuzi (NRM) who scored 11,249 votes while he polled 5,160 votes.

Bukenya said there is no reason why he cannot accept defeat if the process is free and fair.

Others in the race included Daudi Mukiibi (Independent), Kasta Bukenya (DP), Henry Kiwuuwa (Independent), Annet Bakunzi (Independent) and Swaibu Kaggwa (JEEMA).

Bukenya, has been MP for Busiro North since 1996.  He quit NRM in 2015 and formed his own party; Party for National Unity (PNU).

Like the old adage ‘there is no permanent enemy in politics', Bukenya later made a u-turn after a few months and pledged his support for President Yoweri Museveni.

Bukenya said the 2016 election is not the end of Uganda, stressing that those who have not made it, can make in the next elections in 2021.

He said the delay of voting materials was excusable.