Campaigns for NRM flagbearers in Rukungiri intensify

PIC: Bahati speaking to the people of Bikurungu at Kayanga where he was campaigning for  NRM flagbearers. (Credit: Caleb Bahikaho)

NRM HUNTS FOR VOTES

ELECTIONS- A team of two ministers and one legislator have joined Rukungiri district National Resistance Movement (NRM) chairperson, Jim Muhwezi, to garner support for NRM flagbearers in the newly created Bikurungu town council in Rukungiri.

State minister for finance, David Bahati and Chris Baryomunsi, state minister for housing, together with Kisoro district Woman Member of Parliament Rose Kabagyenyi, campaigned for Winfred Masiko and other NRM flagbearers for Rukungiri Woman MP and Bikurungu town council respectively.

Bahati advised voters not to waste their vote by electing Forum Democratic Change (FDC) members since the Government is in the hands of NRM.

"Even if you are in FDC party, it is okay, but for the purposes of development, let us elect the one who can easily access the Government officials for the development of your area," he advised.

Bahati added that this election differs from the 2016 general one because by then there was hope that maybe FDC presidential flagbearer, Kiiza Besigye, would take over the Government, but since he failed and we are with President Yoweri Museveni, there is no need of voting the Opposition.

"We have only 37 FDC Mps out of the 492 members of the 10th Parliament. There is no way they can make any change in Parliament if the majority does not want it," he said.

He said he would liaise with Winfred Masiko to develop the newly-created town councils of Bikurungu, Rwerere, Buyanja and Kebisoni because she is known to him.

"I have never seen the FDC's Betty Muzanira. It will not be easy for her to get to know our offices for any assistance," he said.

Minister Chris Baryomunsi said Parliament is not a joking place. It needs somebody who is familiar with it, especially since we are half way in leadership. If you elect a new person, she will not get where to start from and will complete her term without raising any issue in Parliament.

Baryomunsi said the construction process of Rukungiri- Kanungu road is in its final stages and would commence before end of this year. That it needs a person who can co-operate with the Government to speed up the process.

Kisoro district Woman MP Rose Kabagyenyi said Rujumbura missed a strong Member of Parliament Jim Muhwezi and should not miss another strong lady Winfred Masiko in the coming elections.

She said all the constituents were admiring what Jim Muhwezi was doing for his people, but we got surprised to hear that you voted him out of Parliament when other people were wishing that he became their Member of Parliament.

Arthur Tugume, the LC3 NRM flagbearer for Bikurungu town council, said residents were regretting not electing Jim Muhwezi and they are ready to elect him once he contests again in 2021.

Jim Muhwezi said he was ready to serve them again if they want him in Parliament. 

He advised voters not to misuse their vote for any reason as it is meant for the development of their area. 

"You said you want a change in leadership and voted FDC I think you saw what change means because most of the projects that I was working on stalled," he said.

 Winfred Masiko campaigning in Bikurungu to retain her seat