My supporters not defecting - Mbabazi
Mr Mbabazi
Mbarara- Independent presidential candidate Amama Mbabazi has said the widely publicised defections of his supporters are just theatrical moves.
“With my knowledge of NRM and the political environment, the so- called defections are simple dramatics by the ruling party and cannot distract us,” Mr Mbabazi said while addressing a press conference at Lake View Resort Hotel in Mbarara Town on Wednesday.
Claims of defections from his camp have been reported in the districts of Ntungamo, Kiruhura and Isingiro. Mr Mbabazi said if he wins the February polls, he will help people, especially the low income earners, who are struggling to service loans.
“Most of people are crying foul over financial institutions and several have lost their properties. Others are at the brink of losing them because of unfair lending policies. We are going to offer relief and rescue them,” he said.
He talked about continued intimidation of his supporters and urged them not to give up. Mr Mbabazi said they are now doing more of stopovers than public rallies which he said will help him know issues that affect local people.
He also expressed disappointment that some media organisations he did not name continue to be threatened by the state not to give air space to Opposition candidates to reach out to the public.
After the press conference, Mr Mbabazi campaigned in Bugamba and Mwizi sub-counties in Rwampara and made a stopover in Nyeihanga Trading Centre before heading to Sheema District. He was expected to campaign in Kashari constituency in Mbarara District later in the evening.
At Bugamaba Secondary School playground in Bugamba Sub-county, Mr George Rushegyera, who said he is the area LC5 chairperson, asked Mr Mbabazi to ensure that the main road in the area is tarmacked, give a hand in completing a laboratory at the school and help in purchase of the school bus.
In response, Mr Mbabazi promised that he will work on the road immediately he gets into office and will also help the parents to complete the laboratory. He said Ugandan roads are taking a lot of money to build but wear out fast.
“I don’t know why roads in Uganda are done using a lot of money and they develop potholes after a short time,” said Mr Mbabazi.
The former NRM party secretary general said once elected he will use science experts at Mbarara University of Science and Technology and Mbarara Zonal Agriculture and Research Institute to develop banana tissues which are resistant to banana bacterial wilt disease that has ravaged plantations in the region.
