FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                        Sunday  January 22, 2006

FDC Campaign News

This morning FDC Presidential Candidate left Kitgum town and made a number of stops in Aruu County, Pader district before entering Gulu District for the day's main events.  He stopped at Acholi-Bur, to wave at a big gathering and went on to Pajule, where he was welcomed by Bwola dancers, ululations, and more Olwedo leaves.  At Pajule KB apologized for his brief stops saying he was forced to hurry because of the time he spent in jail and having to return to Kampala regularly for the on-going court cases. 

He paid tribute to the people for persevering under difficult conditions and said FDC will bring peace and security to the region after voters get rid of Museveni.  He was given an Olwedo branch and a white chicken which is given to people going to the battlefield to symbolize blessings and good luck.

At 10:30 a.m. the entourage reached Lagile, Aruu County in Pader District, where again there was a lot of dancing and jubilation.  Kizza Besigye was led to the resting place of six people who were killed in 2001 for supporting KB, reportedly on the orders of one Omwony Ogaba.  At 10:46 the party went to Awere in Aruu County where again he thanked them for their prayers while he was in jail.

At 11:15 a.m. the party left Aruu and crossed to Odek, Lalogi, and Opit in Omoro County.  He greeted and waved to supporters and finally arrived in Gulu Town at 1:10 p.m.  There was a lot of jubilation with people dancing in the streets and moving along with the convoy.  Kizza Besigye finally had to beg their indulgence for a lunch break at Pearl Afrique Hotel.  After a short lunch break KB went to Kaunda grounds where there were up to 40,000 people waiting for him.  KB addressed the mammoth crowd focusing on those who were intimidating the population ahead of next month's elections.  He singled out army officer Otema Awany and advised him to be careful because he is going to be the commander-in-chief pf the UPDF soon and would not tolerate indiscipline in the army.  He asked supporters to be firm and assured them that FDC will win the election as long as they guard the votes. Kizza Besigye also gave details of the development program that FDC would pursue and said developing Acholi region would be a first priority.  He then introduced local leaders and those standing on FDC ticket.

The entourage left Gulu Town to address about 15,000 people in an internally displaced people's camp at Anaka, Nwoya County.  Kizza Besigye received a very warm welcome at the camp and he was given a long wooden key for opening state house.  At the camp he repeated his warning against intimidation and said all those military officers and soldiers who are intimidating people
should prepare to face the General Court Martial.  He promised to return and visit the people of Acholi in their homes and not in the camps after he is sworn in as President of Uganda.  He said some of the people who stole votes in 2001 had crossed to FDC and told him the secrets of how votes were stolen and we now have enough knowledge to guard our votes.  Nonetheless he asked
people to take personal initiative to guard their votes and particularly to remain at the polling station and keep watch over the ballot box until all ballots were counted.

On their way back to Kampala KB's convoy drove through Lacor Hospital where there were about 15,000 people.  He waved and greeted them, went through Gulu Town and then left for Kampala.  KB was accompanied by Hon. Michael Ocula, Hon. Reagan Okumu, Hon. Odonga Otto, Beatrice Anywar, and Hon. Prof. Latigo Ogenga.

Tomorrow Monday Kizza Besigye will appear in court for resumption of cross examination of the Director of CID, Elizabeth Kuteesa.

Ends

FDC Reporter