I will work with everyone - Besigye aide
Buhweju MP-elect Francis Mwijukye waves to supporters at a thanksgiving Mass at Bwoga Primary School in Rwengye, Buhweju yesterday. PHOTO BY ALFRED TUMUSHABE
What you need to know:
Victory. The political aide of FDC’s Kizza Besigye defeated Incumbent Ephraim Biraaro of the NRM party in the February 18 poll.
Buhweju. The MP-elect for Buhweju, Mr Francis Mwijukye, has spoken out on why he has been vying for the seat since 2006.
The political aide to Forum for Democratic Change presidential candidate, Dr Kizza Besigye, defeated Incumbent Ephraim Biraaro of the NRM party in the February 18 poll.
He unsuccessfully challenged Mr Deus Bikwatsizehi and Mr Biraaro in 2006 and 2011 respectively.
Speaking during a thanksgiving Mass held at Bwoga Primary School in Rwengwe Sub-county last Saturday, Mr Mwijukye said the constituents have voted him for showing maturity as was demanded of him.
He said it was difficult for him to run the campaigns because it required a lot of money, which he did not have. He said if it were not for the patience of his agents and supporters, he would not have sailed through because his opponent was financially stable. “To date, my agents have not been paid but this I will do. I will share with you my first salary. Thank you for sympathising with me,” he said.
The former FDC Youth League leader, said he has been fighting to be a leader in Buhweju not because he is following in the footsteps of any of his family members but because of the poor and difficult life he grew up in, a situation many people in the area also find themselves in.
Mr Mwijukye studied at St Joseph’s Vocational School in Mbarara and Mbarara University of Science and Technology. He promised to work with everyone irrespective of their party and religious affiliations to achieve his dream of transforming Buhweju socially and economically.
“I will befriend people from NRM and other parties. Even if a leader is not from your party you can work with them to achieve development,” he said.
Mr Mwijukye asked the Resident District Commissioner, Mr Emmy Kateera Turyabagyenyi, to find a solution to the practice of closing some of the health centres in the area on weekends. He challenged the residents to educate their children as a way of fighting poverty.
Fr Kenneth Baingana, the parish priest of Bihanga Parish, presided over the Mass. Fr Baingana was during campaigns attacked by security officials in the district lead by the then RDC Moses Mwebesa accusing him of meddling in politics.
He extolled Mr Mwijukye, saying: “You are a sign of hope to young children who can’t access education because their parents can’t afford it; you are sign of hope to a man who endures bad roads to make ends meet and provide for his family, and you are true reflection of persistence and perseverance.”
