Kyagulanyi promises to revamp railway in West Nile

It is the gateway to the West Nile region, a thriving district with a beehive sort of activities, ranging from fishing and farming to some extended oil exploration. It is magnificently positioned adjacent to River Nile and the Murchison Falls National Game Park.

But there are things missing, that the voters want addressed by those seeking the top leadership position in the country next year.

"We do not have hospitals and our health centres have no drugs. I will vote for someone ready to tackle these issues," Agnes Ayio, a voter in Pakwach, says.

"Patients seeking referral have to pay between sh30,000 and sh40,000, while others travel either to Angal or Nebbi hospitals, a cost too much for many to afford."

James Onoba, a resident of Pakwach, says the district is characterised by poor infrastructure, adding that they have only one tarmacked road.

He says access to electricity has also been hard and for those who are connected, the tariffs are unbearable.

Ayio and Onoba were among the hundreds of voters who turned up to Pakwach town council to listen to National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine.

Flanked by Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake, artiste Nubian Lee and other NUP members, Kyagulanyi arrived at the venue for his first campaign at around 10:00am.

Other NUP members included NUP secretary general David Lewis Rubongoya and NUP deputy president Dr Lina Zedriga, among others.

The team accused security forces of intimidation, saying some hotel owners had been ordered not to host them.

Denied accommodation

Before addressing his supporters, Kyagulanyi said most of the hotels that they had booked rejected them at the last minute, allegedly after they were warned by local leaders not to host them.

"We came here last night, but we were denied accommodation everywhere. It is only Global Village Hotel that allowed us in," Kyagulanyi noted.

He was supposed to hold a campaign meeting at Omach Primary School playground, but was refused by security saying it was too close to the road.

Despite the 200 people allowed by the health ministry guidelines and the required standard operating procedures (SOPs), the team moved in a procession with supporters singing his freedom song, as the Police watched.

Kyagulanyi promised to fix gaps in the health care system, adding that no mother should die while giving birth.

"We shall ensure that we have functional health units with maternity wings at parish level," he said. He, however, did not explain how he will set up a maternity wing at every parish.

Kyagulanyi noted that many mothers have lost their lives during childbirth, due to poor and inadequate health facilities in their localities.

He said the lack of adequate health facilities causes unnecessary suffering to Ugandans, adding that for Uganda to achieve its economic aspirations, there is need to invest in the country's health sector.

He also promised to tarmac the Pakwach-Wadelai-Rhino Camp road, if elected president into office next year.

He also promised to revamp the Pakwach railway station to help facilitate movement of goods and services in the region.

Quick stop in Nebbi

Kyagulanyi also addressed people in Nebbi, at Nebbi Town Secondary School playground.

He, however, did not speak so much, as he was heading for another campaign meeting in Arua.

"The last time I came here, I was a Member of Parliment. Today I am here to seek support to be the president and the next time I come here, I will be the president of Uganda," he said with confidence.

He implored the people of West Nile to vote for him saying he is not a politician, but a servant. He said the Government has turned them into slaves and denied them their constitutional rights.

"We have been slaves in our country. We are not allowed to talk, move and assemble. No presidential candidate will tell you this because they fear to die," he said.

He alleged that candidate Yoweri Museveni fears competition and that is why he is stifling democracy. He added that it is time for the youth to get back power by voting out the sitting government, come January14, 2020.

"I come with open hands, no guns and no knife, all I have is truth and my Almighty God. Because God and the people of Uganda are on our side, we are going to win," he added.

He promised to pay all the war claimants and equal opportunity for all Ugandans, regardless of tribe or religion.

Kyagulanyi also said he will improve the welfare of the youth and the elderly, saying it is in the interest of the current Government to make people of West Nile poor, such that they continue begging from them.

"I will not purchase teargas, but use the money to improve your welfare," he said.

Electricity

Kyagulanyi, who was speaking through an Alur interpreter, spoke extensively about the issue of electricity in West Nile.

He also promised to improve electricity supply in the region by offering a cheap and reliable power supply.

He said despite Uganda producing surplus electricity, many Ugandans, especially those in West Nile, have limited access to electricity.

"The Government is selling our electricity to Kenya and Rwanda, but only 3% of the people in West Nile have access to it," Kyagulanyi said.

Using his campaign slogan A New Uganda, Kyagulanyi said, when elected, he will ensure that Ugandans experience a new Uganda, with improved service delivery.

"Once upon a time, there was a railway line to Pakwach. Once upon a time, there was a president who never had any degree and that was Idi Amin. But, up to now, what he built for Uganda, the current government is only destroying.

So, in the new Uganda, we are going to make sure we recover everything we have lost and Uganda will never be the same again," Kyagulanyi said.

He added that West Nile is a rich region, with lots of potential in terms of talent, which should be developed and promoted to benefit the people.

Like in Pakwach, Kyagulanyi moved in a procession with his supporters. He later proceeded to Arua, where he was expected to address people at Arua Primary school.

I do not hate the Police

Kyagulanyi also promised free education to children of security personnel.

"Do not hate the Police and army. They also are living like beggars. Their children cannot go to good schools. I will offer them free education," he said. He urged the people of West Nile to be agents of change in their community. He also asked the youth to form groups that will protect their votes.

"Guard the votes by forming a group of 20 and keep the declaration form. The whole world is watching," Kyagulanyi said. "I do not come to you as a politician, because I am not a politician. I am not the most educated or experienced, I am here because God picked me from the ghetto, to come and serve you. I am here to represent the young people of Uganda, the poor people of Uganda, the women of Uganda, and the 99% of the people of Uganda."

Security overwhelmed

The meeting attracted over 200 people. Efforts by security and the Electoral Commission to disperse them proved futile as they were overwhelmed.

Security was heightened in the two districts, with presence of both the military and the Police on the streets.

The Resident District Commissioners of Pakwach and Nebbi, Swaib Toko and Christopher Omara, respectively, had vowed not to allow a procession to take place. However, Kyagulanyi's supporters overpowered them.

Voter speaks

Osborn Ocora, 30, a resident of Pakwach, said the coming of Kyagulanyi into Uganda's politics has influenced youth to join active politics, which had been for the elders for decades.

He said he is happy that the NUP manifesto has focused on improving the livelihood of the citizens, especially the elderly and the youth.