NRM Mitooma delegates support Museveni as flagbearer for 2016

Mitooma- NRM delegates in Mitooma District have unanimously resolved to endorse President Museveni as the party’s sole flag bearer for the 2016 general elections.

The resolution was made at the Ruhinda County party conference organised by the area MP and Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister, Maj Gen Kahinda Otafiire, and Woman MP Jova Kamateka.

The duo appealed to the 1,500 delegates to support the Kyankwanzi resolution and endorse Mr Museveni to avoid dividing the party.

Ms Kamateka said they decided to endorse the President for his achievements, including being a peace keeper in the region, maintaining stability, assenting to the Anti-Homosexual Bill and promoting economic development.

“You hear Prof [Gilbert] Bukenya, [Prime Minister Amama] Mbabazi and [Speaker Rebecca] Kadaga want to be president. So as MPs, we decided to support Museveni as a candidate for the party. He has performed in the region and therefore, we cannot just kick him out like that,” Ms Kamateka said.

One of the delegates asked why they had gathered to endorse Mr Museveni when some party leaders in the district were moving other resolutions opposed to the Kyakwanzi resolution.

The delegate said Mr Julius Kagina, a district councillor, was moving around with forms calling for party officials to oppose the endorsement of the President.

Mr Kagina, who was in attendance, admitted getting the resolutions on behalf of the district chairperson, Mr Benon Karyaija, saying he could not disobey the latter’s instructions.

“I had those forms and I still have them. The chairman of the district called me and directed me to Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality to pick those forms from someone and I obediently did it. The forms are urging the delegates to reject resolution 22,” he said.

However, when Mr Karyaija was contacted and asked whether he sent Mr Kagina to pick the resolution forms blocking the Kyakwanzi resolution, he denied the claim, saying he was not part of those circulating them.

But Mr Kagina insisted while waiving the forms before the gathering, claiming that the district chairperson called him to pick them.

In response, Mr Karyaija said: “Those are concocted papers.”

On why he failed to attend the meeting, the district chairperson said the one held at Gen Otafiire’s home was private and did not bother him.

“That was a private meeting. I waited for them at the district grounds but they didn’t turn up. We are waiting for him to bring our money at every sub-county,” Mr Karyaija said.

However, Gen Otafiire maintained that competition in the ruling party was healthy, adding that any one was free to support their own candidate.

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