Mbabazi dissolves campaign team over alleged NRM infiltration

IGANGA
Independent presidential candidate, John Patrick Amama Mbabazi has dissolved his initial campaign team in Iganga district and constituted a new one amid claims that some of the members had been compromised by the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).

The team led by Mr Atim Mpata was dissolved on Friday and replaced by one led by the Speaker of Iganga District Council, Mr Herbert Kisaame during a meeting presided over by a member of the Go Forward National Campaign Task Force, Dr Waiswa Kibumba.

Soon after being named Chairman, Mr Kisaame pledged to rejuvenate Mr Mbabazi’s fortunes in the area.
“We are going to work tooth and nail to see that our candidate wini in the forthcoming election,” he said.

Others on the new team are; Mr Musisi Isabirye (Vice Chairman), Mr Alex Kiwanuka (Logistics Officer), Mr Paul Buyinza (in Charge Youth Desk), Mr Omar Gandi ( Publicity), Mr Geofrey Musobya (Electoral Affairs) and Ms Rebecca Suubo (Women Affairs).

The Go Forward Team’s Coordinator in Iganga Municipality, Mr Peterson Wambuzi, told Daily Monitor that the decision to replace the old team was reached by the former premier and NRM Secretary General following his campaign sojourns in the area on January 17.

According to Mr Wambuzi, Mbabazi was not impressed with the level of organization and public turn up at his rallies in Busembatia Town Council and Iganga Town, a scenario which was blamed on Mr Atim Mpata, who is believed to have deliberately failed the team’s mobilization efforts after reportedly being reached by some leaders of the ruling NRM.

“We got information that Mr Mpata and his group were compromised and have been holding meetings with NRM officials,” Mr Wambuzi said.

However, Mr Atim Mpata who was not present during the meeting denies having been compromised.

“First of all I am not aware of my sacking and the dissolution of my team, but that is not an issue. The issue is that I am still a supporter of Mr Mbabazi and I have never defected to the ruling NRM or even worked with any of its officials to undermine my own candidate,” he told Daily Monitor.