'I will deal with Kigezi's unique problems'

Independent presidential candidate Henry Tumukunde has said if any leader is to help the Kigezi sub-region to prosper, that leader should study its natural set up.

He said the current leadership has failed to pay attention to this reality and thus its help for the region's development is so low. Tumukunde said Kigezi's peculiar terrain is the cause for the land shortage, which has led to the encroachment on the wetlands.

He said most residents occupy lowland areas and wetlands because their terrain does not favour them to live and practice agriculture in the highlands.

Tumukunde was on Thursday, November 12 addressing the media at Cephas Inn, Kabale, after concluding his campaigns in Kigezi sub-region. According to Tumukunde, transportation challenges experienced in the region also result from its unique terrain.

"A country like Switzerland has mastered the art of exploiting mountains and turning them around. Kigezi also deserves the same approach and I am well versed with the knowledge on how to do this because I studied from Switzerland for two years," he said.

Tumukunde blamed the current national leadership for not utilising Kigezi's potential for regional and national development.

"An area like Kigezi, which lies on the borders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) should have a big commercial hospital that can be used to generate money to fund other health needs of the country," he argued.

Tumukunde said with Kigezi's tourism potential, a better planning authority would see the country getting a lot of funds from the area.

"Imagine if we had good accommodation facilities in these hills, we have a beautiful Lake Bunyonyi and the most attractive Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, a better way of making money out of such potential is lacking in us because our leaders have not paid attention to it," he said.

He also condemned the Police in Kisoro for what he called blocking his access to the district on Wednesday, saying it is an abuse of democracy. Security personnel on Wednesday blocked Tumukunde from entering Kisoro district to campaign.

He was blocked about 12.6 kilometres to Kisoro town at around 11:30 am when he was intercepted by Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers and the Police officers who had mounted a roadblock. Patrick Byaruhanga, the Kisoro District Police Commander, ordered him to go back to Rubanda district, where he was expected. 

Peter Mugisha, the Kisoro Resident District Commissioner, said security could not allow Tumukunde to campaign because he was not expected in Kisoro. Tumukunde, however, said the action was uncalled for and it was a breach of democracy.

"There was nobody campaigning in Kisoro on Wednesday, but I was shocked to see security blocking my entry. This is a clear manifestation that democracy continues to be abused in this country," he said.

Another hindrance that affected Tumukunde's campaign trail was the downpour that rocked the region, forcing him to use the house-to-house approach in Rubanda and Rukiga.

Tumukunde failed to hold his meeting in Kabale because, by the time he stepped at the venue, Kigezi High School lower grounds, the area was being pounded by heavy rain.

WHAT VOTERS SAY

FLORENCE TUMUHIRWE: We need to see the new president advocating the rights and privileges of women because they are still being discriminated against in our societies.

NELSON ATWAKYIIRE: We need the President to make agriculture a priority since it is the leading source of income for people in Kabale.

NICHOLAS MUHUMUZA: The taxes for our people, especially us with small businesses, must be regulated. JAMES BAREMEKA, FARMER: If the Government came out to support farmers by finding a stable market for our products, we would be so grateful.

ALDRINE TIBENDA: Lake Bunyonyi needs safe transport means to reduce the accidents there. A leader who prioritises that will have saved us.

SIMPSON MUNYAMBABAZI: The roads that lead to our tourism destinations like Bunyonyi, Mgahinga and Bwindi, are in bad shape.