The forthcoming general elections may well turn out to be the most dramatic in Uganda’s history as seen from the mindless craze that has surrounded the creation of new constituencies across the country.
Over the past few weeks Uganda’s Parliament has turned into some sort of theatre with Members of Parliament jostling for constituencies in a crazy scramble that many observers consider to be a selfish decision by government and Parliamentarians because of the heavy cost to tax payers.
Tororo County MP Geoffrey Ekanya this week had to be restrained by colleagues from killing himself with a neck tie in the plenary chambers of Parliament in a scary protest over the delayed award of a district status to his people.
Ekanya’s sobs and undressing in Parliament may be the extreme case of political gymnastics playing out in public’s view but is far from being the only shocking statement from incumbent politicians who fear that their time to eat is about to come by 2016.
Nominations fever
From the Electoral Commission, going by the number of people who have so far collected packs for presidential nominations.
By the time we went to press, up to 20 persons had collected packs to start soliciting for signatures ahead of the scheduled nomination dates on October 5 and 6, 2015.
Among the notable figures that have so far picked forms are former Premier Amama Mbabazi, UTAMU University founder Prof. Venansius Baryamureba, PDP President General Abed Bwanika and Former JEEMA Secretary General Omar Kalinge Nnyago.
EC Deputy Spokesperson Paul Bukenya confirms that since he announced his desire to contest as an independent, Mbabazi will be free to carry out consultations around the country without being stopped by the Police. Bukenya however reminded Mbabazi that his consultations will have to comply with existing laws on public gatherings.
Museveni’s real colours?
President Museveni has been accused of buying support from the church and cultural institutions by offering billions of shillings in support of church or cultural projects. But the president does not seem ready to accept that his competitors rent the support of the powerful institutions.
While addressing UPDF officers this week, President Museveni is quoted to have said he is not ready to hand over power to anyone who uses the support of religious or tribal institutions.
