David Mafabi
5 August 2008
The minister of state for Housing yesterday launched President Museveni's bid for a fourth consecutive term in office, during the President's visit to Bugisu sub-region.
Addressing a crowd gathered to listen to President Museveni at Bungokho Sub-county headquarters on the first of his five-day visit to the area, Mr Michael Werikhe , urged NRM supporters in the region to start mobilising support for Mr Museveni's re-election in the 2011 poll.
"We have launched the fourth term bid for President Museveni here at Bungokho, a home for all the Bamasaba today," Mr Werikhe told a cheering crowd.
"Mr President, accept our urge to stand for a fourth term and we are determined to give you all the support, do the mobilisation to ensure that you win the elections in 2011."
Mr Museveni said nothing in response, but was all smiles as he welcomed the Bugisu region NRM mobilisers, who joined Mr Werikhe on stage. Moments earlier, the President had asked the people of Mbale to continue supporting the NRM government.
"You people of Bugisu know what to do when it comes to elections. Don't go to a doctor who does not know how to treat or treats people and they die, [or] even the doctor who is just trying to learn how to treat like FDC. Continue supporting the NRM and its leadership for good treatment," Mr Museveni said.
The opposition FDC is led by Dr Kizza Besigye, Mr Museveni's main challenger in the 2001 and 2006 presidential elections. On July 6 Mr Museveni announced that he would accept his party's nomination to contest the next election. It comes amidst a quickening of the political pace in the country despite the election being more than two years away.
Although President Museveni neither endorsed - nor criticised - the launch of the fourth term bid, his last election bid, which required a controversial amendment of the constitution to eliminate presidential term limits, started in similar circumstances, with an unofficial campaign launch by women's groups in Rukungiri District.
It is the second time a fourth term bid is launched for President Museveni in the sub-region. During the 45th Independence Day celebrations in Mbale, the sub-region's main town, Kibuku County MP Swalleh Kamba announced a similar campaign while Kabula County MP James Kakooza has previously announced plans to collect signatures from MPs to present a petition to Mr Museveni to stand for a fourth term.
However, yesterday's launch, is the clearest signal yet that the President will seek to prolong his rule, although he faces growing opposition within his party.
There was no immediate comment from the NRM yesterday but after last October's launch, President Museveni's political assistant, Moses Byaruhanga said: "The official decision of the party will be made I think in 2010 when a national delegates conference sits."
Mr Museveni is officially on a five day tour of Bugisu sub-region to assess the progress of state-funded agriculture and credit facilities. He urged the people to utilise the small fragmented pieces of land in Bugisu for intensive agriculture to fight household poverty. He is scheduled to address a rally at Bubiita Sub-county, Bududa District, tomorrow and another at Mbale Secondary School.
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