We are not funded by foreigners, says Kyagulanyi

National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential flag-bearer Robert Kyagulanyi has said NUP is not being funded by foreigners.

Commenting on riots that erupted in various parts of the country following Kyagulanyi's arrest in Luuka district last week, President Yoweri Museveni said the rioters, mainly NUP supporters, were being funded by foreign forces and homosexuals to destabilise peace in Uganda.

Addressing a rally at St Augustine Demonstration Primary School at Butiti, Kyenjojo district, Kyagulanyi said he is leading a ‘purely Ugandan-based mission of change'.

"President Yoweri Museveni has alleged that we are being funded by foreigners. He is guessing wrongly. This is a Ugandan mission. That is why Police smash my vehicle's windscreen and mechanics in Kisekka Market replace it the following day. That is the power of the people," he said.

Kyagulanyi, who started his address by thanking God for rescuing him from the ‘Nalufenya death chamber', said he was wearing a pair of jeans because the Police is fond of tearing his suits.

"God rescued me from Nalufenya death," he said while leading his supporters in Tukundereza Yesu, a popular hymn of praise.

"I am alive and have the energy to speak to you because God is on our side. What we are doing to contest for presidency and cause change is legal. We are doing the right thing and we are not violent. We don't have guns and teargas, but we have God on our side," Kyagulanyi added.

Complaining about the venue of the rally, Kyagulanyi said their supporters were barred from reaching them at the first rally in Kyegegwa town when Police fi red teargas and bullets.

SEED OF CHANGE

"They refused us from talking to our people in Kyegegwa town and now see where they behave brought us," he said.

He said since he declared his intentions to contest for the presidency about two years ago, he was blocked from consulting Ugandans yet the constitution allows it.

Describing himself as the seed of change that Uganda is yearning for, Kyagulanyi said he represents the common man, the poor and the unemployed youths.

"I am not a politician and I'm not a professor, but I represent change. I'm here to assure Ugandans that they have the power in their hands to change the status quo through the ballot. I only come here to give courage and hope," he said.

MANIFESTO

The singer-turned-politician said once elected President in the January 14 polls, he will overhaul the education system and introduce a 4-A based system. The education system, he said, would focus on academics, athletes, arts and agriculture.

He accused the current regime of not respecting sports by selling off all playgrounds in Kampala and lacking a proper plan on talents development.

Other issues he promised to tackle, include improving the medical care by equipping hospitals with medicines and other medical supplies, reduce unemployment and poverty. As he addressed the rally, his supporters raised funds for him.

HEAVY POLICE DEPLOYMENT

In all towns from Kyegewa, Kyenjojo to Fort Portal, the Police deployed heavily. At some points, supporters were being told to keep away. However, as security struggled to keep them at bay, the enthusiastic supporters would instead surge forward chanting ‘People Power, our power'.

The supporters included bodaboda riders donning red and a group of youths carried Kyagulanyi posters, tree branches shouting: Araali wetu — president wa ghetto.

About eight Police vehicles with Policemen kept in Kyagulanyi's convoy from Kyegegwa to Fort Portal, Kabarole district and he would occasionally turn and wave to them.

Several security checkpoints were mounted on the road. Today, Kyagulanyi will campaign in the districts of Bundibugyo, Kasese and Bunyangabu.