Opposition eyes Ankole, Kigezi

Unlike in 2006 when the National Resistance Movement enjoyed massive support in Ankole and Kigezi regions returning quite a few MPs unopposed, the 2011 elections are giving a different picture.

Ms Mary Karooro Okurut and Dr Elioda Tumwesigye sailed through unopposed for Bushenyi woman MP seat and Sheema North constituency, respectively in 2006. However, this time round the duo are facing tough campaigns to retain their seats.

This also means a more engaging campaign for Mr Museveni who as the incumbent President has previously enjoyed a block vote from the two sub-regions. In the 2006 elections, the two regions never produced a single opposition legislator.

The likes of Maj. John Kazoora (Kashari), Augustine Ruzinda (Ruhaama), Jack Sabiti (Rukiga) never made it back to the House.

Defected gem
They have however made a comeback contesting to regain the seats they lost to NRM candidates in 2006. Mr Yona Kanyomozi, who defected from Uganda Peoples Congress is contesting the Ntungamo Municipality parliamentary seat on the Forum for Democratic Change ticket while Maj. Kazoora relocated from Kashari to contest in Mbarara Municipality on FDC ticket.

In the Ankole region, a number of opposition candidates especially from the Forum for Democratic Change party have emerged.

However, Mbarara municipality remains a critical constituency for the ruling party given the emergence of an NRM leaning independent candidate Michael Tusiime.

Tusiime argues that the primaries were rigged and wants the voters to make the final verdict.

Mbarara being the major town in the region, the ruling party would not want to let go. In the last one week, millions of shillings have been distributed within Mbarara municipality to “organised groups” as gifts to boost their businesses.
In Kiruhura, President Museveni’s home district, FDC has fielded Mr Mweteise Bintabara to contest against his Mr Museveni’s longest serving minister Eng. John Nasasira who holds the works docket.

The district is composed of two constituencies of Kazo and Nyabushozi. Mr Bintabara says in Kiruhura, where the opposition fielded only three candidates in 2006, in this year’s elections 42 candidates are contesting various posts in the district.

“In 2006 we had three candidates and one of them won the sub-county councillorship. This is already an indicator that when we finally go to voting, our percentage will go up.”

We are expecting more votes from Kiruhura as opposition. We now have a committee that is helping us to mobilise support,” Bintabara told Daily Monitor.

“We are taking advantage of the fights within the NRM and as we move on, things look good for the opposition in this area,” he said.

Mr Francis Mwijukye, who is contesting the Buhweju constituency on FDC ticket, says things in the region have changed since 2006 and the people are embracing the opposition.

“In this constituency over 45 opposition candidates are contesting various posts. This almost applies to the other districts that were curved out of Bushenyi District,” said Mwijukye. He noted that the situation has changed in a way that people can no longer be intimidated like in the past.

“Our party (FDC) is more organised, people work as a team and are ready to monitor the election exercise to avoid rigging. I can see we have gained more capacity to guard our votes,” he added.

Three kingpins
He said the recent reported defections in Kiruhura, Rubirizi and Kabale districts of three candidates would not affect the opposition. “If three defected and we have over 400 candidates contesting in the regions, it does not affect our quest to win constituencies.”

He added, “If we have candidates contesting in Kiruhura, the once feared area (Museveni’s home district) then [it shows that] the people are above intimidation.”

While campaigning in Ankole region, Mr Museveni made it clear in Ibanda North that voters should vote for Mr Xavier Kyoma and dump the NRM-leaning independent Maj. Guma Gumisiriza, who is the incumbent legislator.
In the other areas, Mr Museveni was non-committal about which candidate should be voted for and avoided giving his outright stand.

This could probably explain why in Mbarara, while campaigning at Booma grounds, the NRM flag bearer for Mbarara Municipality Dr Medard Bitekyerezo’s presence was overshadowed by supporters of the Michael Tusiime, contesting as an independent.

Supporters of Tusiime chanted more than those of Bitekyerezo and musician Bebe Cool who was in the company of the President sang songs in praise of Tusiime instead of the flag bearer.
Mr Museveni instead told the people to “vote wisely” and hand Maj. Kazoora a defeat. This position has left a number of NRM supporters at cross roads.

‘Initially we thought our biggest challenge was Kazoora but it’s now NRM fighting NRM,” an individual who identified himself as a party supporter told Daily Monitor.

In Ntungamo, 70 per cent of the candidates standing at district and other lower levels are from the opposition and independents. All the five parliamentary constituencies have opposition candidates contesting.

Home turf
In Rukungiri, the home district for the Forum for Democratic Change leader Dr Kizza Besigye, in all the five constituencies, there is an FDC candidate contesting.

Voters loyal to the incumbent woman MP Winnie Masiko are refusing to support the NRM candidate on grounds that the flag bearer cheated in the party primaries. A cross section is instead campaigning for Ms Ingrid Turinawe, the official FDC flag bearer against NRM’s Sezi Mbagutta.

But Dr Tumwesigye who sailed through unopposed in 2006 says there is no growing opposition in the two regions.
“I think there is no organised opposition here. It is instead growing weaker,” he said in a telephone interview.
“What I know is that it is the growing interest to participate in politics because of limited job opportunities. Some people want to be seen, spotted for possible appointment.”

“Many candidates are contesting as opposition, independents but it is not a reflection of the society here. After the NRM primaries, many got disgruntled,” the Sheema North legislator said.

Daily Monitor’s effort to talk to the NRM spokesperson Ms Mary Karooro were futile as on every occasion she claimed to be addressing a rally.

Even when she requested our questions to be sent in short message to her telephone, she did not reply them.