Kivejinja returns to challenge MP Katuntu

Iganga- Former Deputy Prime Minister Ally Kirunda Kivejinja, has declared his intention to contest for the Bugweri County Parliamentary seat.

The Historical member of the ruling NRM party, who has thrice lost to the incumbent MP, Mr Abdul Katuntu, launched his return to competitive politics during function held at Iganga Town Council recently.

The town council is one of Mr Abdul Katuntu’s strongholds and Mr Kivejinja says his aim is to grab the staunch supporters of the opposition Forum for Democratic Change who have allegedly been masterminding the violence and rigging that the NRM blames for Hajj Kirunda’s losses.

“I have decided to launch my struggle from here because in order to fight and defeat an enemy you have to attack his territory,” said Hajj Kivejinja as he presented 30 people who he claimed had defected from the opposition FDC to the NRM.

Hajj Kivejinja, who is currently the head of the Veterans’ League of the ruling NRM, said while he had lobbied for the construction of, among others, Makutu and Bulunguli Seed secondary schools and Busesa Vocational Institute, Mr Katuntu has in the last 15 years not made any meaningful contribution towards the development of Bugweri County.
However, Mr Abdu Katuntu’s camp was quick to dismiss the questions about their man’s contributions to the development of the constituency.

Mr Katuntu’s political assistant, Mr Ayub Kyozira, said besides attending to individual problems and being an excellent representative in Parliament, Mr Katuntu has been providing farmers with agricultural implements and tools and supporting vulnerable children in higher institutions of learning with tuition fees. He also scoffed at the alleged defectors.

“Those people who claimed to have defected are not members of FDC. It was a big lie and as usual we are waiting to challenge him (Kivejinja) again,” said Mr Kyozila.

[email protected]