I contested for Sheema municipality seat because opposition targeted it - Tumwesigye

Minister of science, technology and innovations and Sheema north MP Dr Elioda Tumwesigye has told electorates that he contested for the Sheema municipality sit because he does not want opposition to win the seat like they have done in other municipalities.

While addressing members of village saving schemes in Sheema municipality at integrated community based initiative (ICOBI) headquarters in Kabwohe, Dr Tumwesigye said most people who are unhappy with him do not know why he contested for the seat despite holding another seat in parliament.

"Most people who are angry with me do not understand why I contested in the municipality yet I am still a sitting MP. We had left general elections in February 2016, and I won from all polling stations and in July, this municipality was created," said Dr Tumwesigye.

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Inside FDC, NRM battle for Sheema Municipality seat

Though there are five candidates on Independent ticket in the race, FDC and NRM candidates appear to be of more interest to voters.

He added that Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) started bad propaganda against him and destroyed his campaign posters.
“While we were discussing about creating this municipality, I asked then minister of Local government Adolf Mwesigye whether there will be elections for the municipality and he advised me not to stand in the general elections. But I refused because there were uncertainties on whether elections would be conducted so I stood for Sheema north as I waited for this,” he explained.

Dr Tumwesigye said in 2016 general elections, there were 66000 registered voters but only 31000 voters remained in Sheema north yet his biggest support of 35000 voters were put in the municipality.

“In April this year, Electoral commission announced the elections for new municipalities but Sheema north had 66000 registered voters but 31000 voters remained in Sheema north and 35000 voters came to the municipality and those were my voters,"said Dr Tumwesigye.

Dr Tumwesigye said president Museveni would blame him for allowing opposition take the municipality and become like Ntungamo which is led by Gerald Karuhanga.

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"There was a possibility of a person from opposition who had planned to contest for Sheema municipality and Museveni would ask me and Prof Ephraim Kamuntu on how we let opposition take Sheema."

“When FDC won Bushenyi with Oddo Tayebwa we faced a very big problem as they were meeting everywhere but we finally defeated them so they wanted Sheema now,” he said.

Dr Tumwesigye said FDC is weak but in Sheema they have come strongly because they have some money.
He said, “We have won the opposition 3 times in this area but now they have come with a bang because they received some money.”

He added that Sheema north will be in danger if FDC’s Virginia Plan Mugyenyi wins the election.
“If you vote Virginia, you will not have changed government because we are not voting for presidents in this election.

ALSO READ: Sheema will be won by FDC - Mwijukye

Besigye has been failing and Museveni will keep winning him. If NRM loses you will be in great danger because the security you are enjoying is because of NRM,” he cautioned.

Dr Elioda Tumwesigye is competing with six others Virginia Plan Mugyenyi (FDC), Ambrose Mwesigye Blackman, Raymond Kamugisha, Jonas Tumwiine, Benjamin Ruyombya, and Dr Meshack Katusiime all Independent.