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Fourth term for real; launched in Mbale

NRM deligates meeting at Namboole in 2006. Net photo

2007-10-11
"From now we also officially launch the 2011 political journey to support NRM and President Yoweri Museveni for the fourth term and Mr Bernard Mujasi is the flag bearer of the campaign task force for Elgon zone (Mbale, Sironko, Manafwa, Bududa, Kapchorwa)," Kibuku County MP Swalleh Kamba bellowed in the microphone during the 45th Independence Day celebrations in Mbale. As the frenzied crowd chanted 'abeewo' (Museveni should stay on) Lt. Kamba, flanked by Major Kakooza Mutale said; "Mbale is a historical place for NRM because even the NRA launched its struggle to liberate Uganda in Mt. Elgon, so we feel it's necessary to launch President Museveni's fourth term bid here." Maj. Mutale, who was key in pushing Mr Museveni's bid for a third term in 2005, said he would do whatever it takes to secure a fourth term for the President. "I am not among those people who will die for Uganda but among those who will kill you for Uganda. I will kill anybody who challenges Uganda and don't underrate me because of my gray hair, I will kill you," stressed Maj. Mutale. And his threat can't be taken lightly. In 2001, he was variously accused of beating many opposition supporters into supporting Mr Museveni. Lt Kamba sits on the Parliamentary Defence committee and is a founder member of the Kalangala Action Plan. KAP is the dreaded paramilitary organisation headed by Maj. Mutale that reigned terror on opposition supporters during the 2001 and 2006 polls. A parliamentary investigation implicated the armed group in the 2001 election violence. KAP at one time had about 200 MPs as members. Maj. Mutale is no stranger to issuing threats; he urged the people of Mbale to remember how he handled them in the 2006 election campaigns. He promised to begin where he stopped. His KAP roughed up several opposition supporters. "You know when I came here in 2006 for the campaigns, in fact when I come for business, it is real business and I have to work for the defence and good of our country," said Maj. Mutale. Before proceeding to Lukhonge grounds, the venue for the Independence Day celebrations, Maj. Mutale marched through Mbale town from Doko about 4 kilometers from the municipality on the Mbale-Budaka Road. He kept flashing his four fingers and the famous thumbs up sign for NRM as onlookers responded with chants of 'abeewo' . It was the first time since last year's presidential elections that the NRM yellow bus moved from the party headquarters. Though many dignified government officials like Prime Minister Apolo Nsibambi have tried to caution State House against its overt dealing with Maj. Mutale, they have been ignored. Lt Kamba promised to take the campaign nationwide. "…by 2009 all Ugandans would have accepted President Museveni to stand for the fourth term as we reorganise ourselves to see who can take the country forward after him, " he said. Mr Museveni's third term ends in 2011. Lt Kamba is the second MP to call on Mr Museveni to stand again, months after his Kabula County colleague James Kakooza said he was collecting signatures from MPs to present a petition to Mr. Museveni to stand for a fourth term. Commenting on the latest developments last evening, the NRM spokesperson, Ms Mary Karooro Okuru,t said there was nothing wrong with individuals within the party campaigning for a candidate they think can be the flag bearer of the party in 2011. "But the official candidate will be elected by the national delegates conference some time to come," added Ms Okurut. President Museveni's Political Assistant Moses Byaruhanga said the issue of term limits was resolved when the constitution was amended in 2005. "People are free to support anyone they think is fit to lead the party in 2011 elections but that is not the official stand of the party. “The official decision of the party will be made I think in 2010 when a national delegates conference sits," said Mr Byaruhanga. Extracted fromthe monitor newspaper


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