Kyagulanyi carries his campaign to Obongi, Adjumani

PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGNS

National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu is still in West Nile sub-region and today, he is campaigning in the districts of Obongi and Adjumani.

Obongi was carved out of Moyo district and started its new life as a district in mid-2019.

Kyagulanyi, who has been combing West Nile for votes since Monday, has already mentioned that if he is elected into the highest office on the land, he will increase the number of ministers from West Nile sub-region.

He has drawn large crowds during this processions. But many people in these crowds have not been seen wearing face masks - at a time when Uganda is trying to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

The latest update by the health ministry on Uganda's COVID-19 situation indicated a record-high 701 new cases of coronavirus, with one new death, bringing the cumulative deaths to-date to 207.

Worldwide, more than 68 million people have contracted the virus, with over 1.5 million deaths recorded.

Crowds have been pointed at as super-spreaders.

On Tuesday, Kyagulanyi surprised many an observer when he drummed up support for National Resistance Movement (NRM) flagbearer Dr Charles Ayume in Koboko district.

He said he had not yet met the 42-year-old political newcomer, but urged a large rally in Koboko "to tell him that I have been watching him and I respect him".

"I want to ask you people of Koboko to go and vote for that young man," he rallied.

Kyagulanyi himself has not been in politics that long, but has drawn a legion of supporters since his entry into politics.

Hitherto best known for his music and as Bobi Wine (his stage name), Kyagulanyi hit the political stage in 2017 when he tossed his hat in the ring in a by-election for the parliamentary seat of Kyadondo East. He won the race.

Now giving a shot at the presidency three years later, in a race that features 10 other candidates, including incumbent Yoweri Museveni of the NRM, Kyagulanyi is sensing that Ayume makes a suitable figure to share a political space with - even from opposing ends of the political divide.

Ayume, 42, is the son of former West Nile political stalwart Francis Ayume and his recent entrance onto the political scene was punctuated with him defeating Evelyn Anite, the state minister for investment, in the NRM primary elections early September.

Ayume's father served as Speaker of Parliament and Attorney General.

Earlier, in Maracha district, where he campaigned first on Tuesday, Kyagulanyi also urged the people of Maracha East and West to vote for Denis Uguzu Li (FDC) and James Acidri (independent), respectively.

He also campaigned for Andi Andabati Opingopi (NUP), who is contesting for the Aringa Country seat. Kyagulanyi went on to drum up support for Sebbi Shaban Parike and Lazarous Gogo, who are vying for seats in Koboko North division and Lobule sub-counties, respectively.

The NUP leader also campaigned for Judith Bako, the NUP flagbearer in the Maracha Woman MP race.

"We are here as a symbol of unity for our generation," said Kyagulanyi.

After his rally at Boma grounds, he headed to Lobule sub-county headquarters on his way to Yumbe, accompanied by Oguzu, Acidri and Opingopi.

Kyagulanyi, who commended the Police in Yumbe for not interfering with his campaigns, also commissioned the NUP district office of Yumbe in Kuru village.

Details in today's New Vision edition here 👉🏽 https://bit.ly/342gSwT

(Reporting by Moses Mulondo, Abdurahman Ayub, Robert Adiga & Joel Akuma)

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Kyagulanyi has been campaigning in West Nile since the start of this week.

He has drummed up support for some candidates from other political parties.

His procession through Maracha, Koboko and Yumbe districts on Tuesday drew crowds.

Many in the processions chanted support for the NUP candidate.

Security personnel monitored the events on the sidelines.

Kyagulanyi addressed his planned rallies in Maracha, Koboko and Yumbe.

Most people who attended the rallies did not wear masks, with social distancing also not observed. Authorities have emphasised the need for Ugandans to observe standard operating procedures (SOPs) to prevent the contraction and spreading of the coronavirus.

Kyagulanyi says he is confident of victory come 2021.

He sat on the roof of his vehicle during his procession through the towns in West Nile.

He also opened the NUP district office in Yumbe.

Here, Kyagulanyi was seen wearing a mask - but many around him were not.