Kasese voters list their demands ahead of 2021 elections

Many presidential candidates have so far made their promises and pledges to voters in the opposition stronghold district of Kasese.

The candidates include Norbert Mao of the Democratic Party, Robert Sentamu Kyagulanyi of the National Unity Platform (NUP) and independent candidate Lt. Gen. Henry Tumukunde.

In the previous election, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) won most of the seats for Member of Parliament and lower local government councils in Kasese.

However, the voters say this time, they will vote for a candidate who articulates their aspirations clearly. 

Norbert Mao

The Democratic Party President Norbert Mao launched his manifesto in Kasese and promised to declare Kasese a mineral district once elected into office.

He accused the Government of keeping a deaf ear as Kasese district continues to register high poverty levels.

Mao also promised to unconditionally release the Rwenzururu King Charles Wesley Mumbere.

Mumbere was arrested in 2016 following an attack on his palace after he was accused of treason.

He is still battling the over 40 criminal charges, including terrorism, murder and aggravated robbery.

Henry Tumukunde

Tumukunde was the second presidential candidate to seek the mandate of the people of Kasese, to lead Uganda.

He said during his tenure, he will concentrate on establishing value addition facilities for farmers in the district.

Kasese is well known for growing maize, cotton and vegetables.

Tumukunde told supporters that farmers in Kasese have remained poor because they are not benefiting from agriculture due to lack of value addition.

Robert Kyagulanyi

Kyagulanyi, while campaigning in Kasese recently, promised to restore the glory of the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu cultural institution.

"My government will, with immediate effect, set free the Rwenzururu King Charles Mumbere and all his royal guards," Kyagulanyi said.

He accused the Government of neglecting the mining sector in Kasese with the aim of keeping the people in poverty.

"We shall invest in the mining sector of the district, starting with revamping of Kilembe copper mines," he said.

Several candidates from Kasese have contested under the NUP party ticket. 

John Katumba

In mid-November, John Katumba also visited Kasese to campaign.

Katumba said once elected president, he intends to uplift the airfield in Kasese into a modern airport and revive the Kilembe Mines.

Mugisha Muntu

Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu's efforts to address rallies in Kasese town and Bwera were not successful after the Police is alleged to have blocked his planned rally venues. 

Voters speak out

Eunice Biira, a youth from Kasese town, is optimistic that once the mining sector is revamped in Kasese, the problem of unemployment will be history.

Biira, however, said while several candidates are highlighting the revamping of the mining sector, none has presented a clear plan on how it will be done.

"As youth, we want a candidate with a clear plan on mining, fishing and tourism development in Kasese. These have the capacity to employ the majority of the youth in Kasese and beyond," Biira said.

She said employment will financially empower the youth.

Vincent Masereka, a bodaboda rider in Kasese town, accused candidates of riding on the back of the youth to get into leadership and, later, on abandon them.

Shamim Kabugho, a mother of five who lost all her property to floods that ravaged Kasese early this year, said she was waiting to hear from a presidential candidate who will come with a permanent solution to the flooding of River Nyamwamba.

Kabugho, who is currently living in a camp, wants the Government to compensate and relocate all the flood-affected victims.

Matsipa Florence, a trader at Mawa Market in Kasese town, said: "Almost all goods, including fresh foodstuffs are sold on bare soil. The situation is worsened during the rainy season when all our goods are mixed with mud."

She accused the current leadership of collecting tax from them without paying attention to their needs.

"Let the Government construct stalls so that we also start operating on a raised platform," she said.

‘Fix roads'

Despite the many promises by the candidates, the voters have their demands.

Robert Kule, a farmer in Bwera, says he has not heard of a presidential candidate with a clear visible solution to the poor road network in the district.

"Kasese's terrain is mountainous and, unless the Government makes a deliberate effort to open up the mountain by constructing roads, the district may never develop," Kule said.

According to Kule, most of the social services, such as good schools and hospitals, have remained in the low land because the other parts of Kasese are not accessible.

"The candidates should clearly state how they will fix the road network because most roads in the district are impassable," he said.

Kule has faulted candidates for what he called failing to address the concerns of the community and are instead focusing on what he termed as ‘non-priority issues.