Kabila, and Bikungu-Mutara in Ruhinda. In Igara, the candidate visited Kitagata, Kasaana, Kyabugimbi, Rwentuha, and Ishaka. He also visited Kagati, Shuuku, Bugongi, and Kabwohe in Sheema.
In order to cover the whole of Bushenyi District in one day Kizza Besigye cut his speeches very short and only made his physical presence felt by waving, greeting, and thanking people for their support. He promised to educate them on FDC programs over the radio waves in the evening. KB did however address mammoth rallies in Kabwohe and Ishaka towns. He told the people of Bushenyi that Museveni’s government spends only 4% of the national budget on agriculture yet 90% of the population depends on this sector. He promised that FDC will reverse this trend and commit more resources to agriculture.
In Ruhinda County he told people not to vote those people who plundered the Democratic Republic of the Congo to which the people shouted back ‘Kahinda Otafiire’. KB was given a key by retired Reverend Barugahare who asked him to use the key to open our country to a new future and also to open the NRM Bus so that those who are locked inside can come out and see the light. At Bugongi sub county in Sheema, KB told people that Museveni closed his eyes to their problems long ago and he wondered why there are still people in Bugongi still saying ‘Abeewo’. He asked FDC supporters to keep educating such people, as they may not be aware of the type of leadership they are following.
There was pandemonium at the final rally at Kizinda, Ishaka where the OC Police of the District tried to stop KB from addressing the crowd some minutes after the official time for addressing rallies had passed. He approached the podium and engaged KB’s security detail to allow him onto the podium to stop the candidate from addressing the crowd. Upon failing to go through the security cordon, the Police Commander took matters in his hands and switched off the Public Address System. The mammoth crowd then surged forward to exact mob justice on the Police Commander who was saved from the wrath of the crowd by KB’s security detail. The Public Address System was switched back on and KB wound up his remarks before retiring to Mbarara town for the night.
On vote rigging Kizza Besigye said FDC was fortunate because those who rigged in 2001 are now with the party and have adequately exposed the tricks of rigging. Nonetheless he asked people to be vigilant saying that there was still a lot that voters could do to guard their votes. He said on 23rd voters must use their votes appropriately adding that this is the only weapon we had left to free ourselves from the Uganda of poverty, a Uganda without hospitals, a Uganda of dusty roads, and a Uganda without schools. He repeated the steps that voters must follow on the 23rd to usher in an FDC government.
1. Appear at the polling station by 6:00 a.m. on polling day and check to ensure that the ballot box is empty before voting.
2. Cast your vote by ticking against the candidate next to the symbol of a key.
3. Stay in close range where you can see everything that is happening in the polling area.
4. If you see a person behaving suspiciously or an unknown person in the line for voting then ask people to apprehend her/him and take them to the police station.
5. After casting your vote stay and wait until all ballots are counted and our agents have signed the declaration forms.
6. Then celebrate, walk home and wait for FDC government to take over in May.
The head of FDC’s Western mobilization team Richard Kaijuka, and FDC Parliamentary candidates Chapaa Karuhanga, Odo Tayebwa, and Mary Frances Semambo accompanied Kizza Besigye. KB was hosted on Radio Endigito tonight in Mbarara Town. Meantime, our scouts inform us that Radio West refused to host Kizza Besigye in their station and that the pattern of power being turned out as soon as KB enters a town has been consistent throughout the tour.
Tomorrow KB will visit Rwampara and Ntungamo starting at Itojo.
Ends.
FDC Reporter
