RUKUNGIRI: Dr Kizza Besigye and top opposition bigwigs on Wednesday combed various villages in Rukungiri as they campaigned for Betty Muzanira, the FDC flag bearer, in the District Woman MP by-election that is scheduled for May 31.
Dr Besigye was accompanied by Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, MPs Mwijukye Francis, Roland Kaginda, Munyagwa Mubarak, FDC Chief Mobiliser Ingrid Turinawe and former Rukiga County MP Jack Sabiiti as they traversed villages in Nyakishenyi and Nyarushanje sub-counties.
They campaigned in the villages of Bikongozo, Nyarushoroza, Omukagaana, Murama, Kafunjo, Kakyenkye and Nyarurambi. They also campaigned in Ruyonza village, Omukyishanda, Omukashenyi and Kisizi Hospital.
Just like for the Jinja East by-election which was won by Paul Mwiru, the Opposition fraternity is united for the Rukungiri by-election.
Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu, the former FDC party president, who had threatened to quit the party after losing to Patrick Amuriat, has been campaigning for Muzanira alongside the party Secretary for Mobilization, Ms Turinawe and Mr Kaginda, who campaigned against him.
“I want to tell you that there is not conflict (among us) and we are determined to win this election,” says Mr Kaginda.
Gen. Muntu, posted on his Facebook wall on Saturday: “Fellow Ugandans, yesterday I had the honour of joining a team led by Ms Ingrid Turinawe to campaign for indefatigable Betty Muzanira in Rukungiri (the FDC candidate). We spoke to cross section of people and the message was clear: Rukungiri (people) want a leader that represents them, not the interest of an individual. What our country needs are leaders that put country before self and are concerned about the welfare of the people who elected them. Betty is such person. Let’s get her elected.”
The Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Ms Winnie Kizza, MP Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi and other opposition leaders and are expected to arrive over the weekend, according to Mr Kaginda.
In total, six candidates were nominated for the by-election, which will take place on May 31. They are FDC’s Muzanira, NRM’s Winifred Matsiko, Ms Fabith Kukundakwe of People’s Progressive Party’s and independent candidates Sheila Atukunda Kirebete, Seith Mbaguta and Elizabeth Rwakitonera.
The seat was declared vacant on March 22 by the Court of Appeal which rendered NRM’s Winnie Matsiko’s 2016 victory invalid following a petition by Ms Muzanira