Muntu asks for trust, promises victory

Maj Gen Mugisha Muntu, a soft spoken retired army general, was nominated yesterday to contest for the 2021 presidential elections.

The Russian-trained soldier fought alongside Gen Museveni during the NRA Bush War in the 1980s.
In 2000, he fell out with President Museveni and the NRM regime to join Opposition Forum for Democratic Change  party from 2012 to 2019.

Gen Muntu was appointed army commander in 1989, becoming the youngest Ugandan army officer to rise to that position.
He also became one of Uganda’s longest serving army commander from 1989 to 1998.

When the National Resistance Army (NRA) was renamed the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) in 1995, Gen Muntu became UPDF Commander.

The position was later renamed Chief of Defence Forces. As army chief, he oversaw the demobilisation of about 50,000 soldiers from military service.
He was removed from the army and appointed a minister, a position he turned down.

In November 2001, Parliament elected him among the  nine Ugandan representatives to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).
When he joined the FDC party, Maj Gen Muntu was named secretary for mobilisation. He contested for party presidency but lost to his Bush War comrade Dr Kizza Besigye in 2008.

He won the FDC presidency in November 2012.
In September 2018, he parted ways with FDC and formed his own party Alliance for National Transformation in 2019.
Gen Muntu is challenging his former boss in the NRA President Museveni, who has been in power for 34 years.
Gen Muntu hails from Kitunga Village in present-day Ntungamo District.

He was born to Enock Ruzima Muntuyera and Aida Matama Muntuyera 62 years ago.
His father was a strongman of Uganda Peoples Congress government.
The retired general is married to Julia Kakonge Muntu.

Now is the time for recovery and dignity

“It has been a long journey. We have fought many struggles. Some physical, some not. Today is a day of victory. Even those who have just lost the battle today know that this is the beginning of victory in this country. We are going to see a country where people can recognise that it can be possible to have justice.

Those in power can manage it in such a way that they create an environment that can be open, [ensure] transparent competition for power in Africa, even in Uganda. It is a new era. We are going to start walking our people on a journey of recovery and dignity; the infrastructure, people having wealth, the money, and that there is nothing greater than the people’s dignity… equal before God.”

Maj Gen Muntu also announced former Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Ms Winnie Kiiza, as the national campaign manager for his presidential campaign. Gen Muntu rallied the youth to demand change and trust him for equitable distribution of resources and development.

Message to youth: “You have the numbers. Use these numbers to bring change to this country with discipline and focus,” Mr Muntu said while addressing his supporters of Alliance for National Transformation at the party headquarters on Buganda Road, Kampala yesterday. He was flanked by his wife, Ms Julia Kakonge Muntu.

His campaign starts on November 9 after presenting his manifesto to the nation. He said his campaign will mainly focus on building confidence and trust in the leadership of Uganda by restoring dignity and involving the youth in the affairs of the country.
Gen Muntu was accompanied to the nomination by Ms Alice Alaso and other ANT officials.

“Today, we start a journey of making history. To all Ugandans, we ask you to trust us and give us your votes. You will not be disappointed,” Gen Muntu said shortly after his nomination.
 The six-month-old ANT has about 185 nominated candidates for various political offices with 126 vying for parliamentary seats.

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