Candidates face off in debate today
Organisers in last minute touches at the debate venue at the Kampala Serena Hotel yesterday. Photo by Abubaker Lubowa
Kampala- Hopes to hold Uganda’s first ever televised presidential elections debate with all candidates present were revived yesterday after it was indicated that incumbent President Museveni and Forum for Democratic Change candidate Kizza Besigye would attend despite earlier reservations.
Dr Besigye yesterday confirmed his attendance, saying his earlier concerns had been addressed by Justice James Ogoola who met him in Mbale yesterday and assured him that Mr Museveni, the NRM flag bearer, would also attend the debate.
“We have discussed [with Justice Ogoola] the content of what the debate is likely to focus on and unless there is anything that changes, I get the sense that everything is on track and all of us should be there,” Dr Besigye told journalists ahead of his campaigns in eastern Uganda yesterday.
Justification
Asked whether Justice Ogoola had confirmed to him that Mr Museveni would attend, Dr Besigye said: “Yeah, that is what he (Ogoola) has said.”
The President earlier said he had no problem debating with his opponents over key election issues but his aides, including the executive director of the Uganda Media Centre, Mr Ofwono Opondo, indicated a few days ago that the President would not attend the debate, arguing he would rather spend his time canvassing for votes in the villages.
But Mr Joshua Kitakule, the secretary general of the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU), the organisers of the debate, said last evening they had received a letter from NRM secretary general Justine Kasule Lumumba confirming that Mr Museveni “would attend the debate if he has time”.
Mr Museveni is expected to face-off with Dr Besigye and six others, including former prime minister Amama Mbabazi, Prof Venansius Baryamureeba, Ms Maureen Kyalya, Dr Abed Bwanika, Mr Joseph Mabirizi and Gen Benon Biraaro – all vying for the presidency in next month’s election.
Museveni Vs Besigye chance
Today’s debate will be yet another attempt by Justice Ogoola to bring Dr Besigye and Mr Museveni on one platform in their more than 15-year battle to lead Uganda.
In 2005, while presiding over a case in which Dr Besigye was accused of treason and rape, Justice Ogoola attempted to arrange a negotiated settlement between Dr Besigye and government in vain.
Dr Besigye’s earlier decision not to attend the debate had met mixed reactions, with some of his supporters urging him not to, while several observers, including his wife Winnie Byanyima, said this would set a bad precedent for the country should he not attend.
