SHEEMA/IBANDA – President Museveni has urged residents of Sheema and Ibanda municipality in Ankole region not to vote the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) candidates because they are only noise makers and unable to contribute to national development.
While campaigning for Dr Elioda Tumwesigye, the NRM candidate in Kihunda cell, Kagango Division in Sheema on Thursday afternoon, Mr Museveni said the residents should not be like the neighboring Buhweju District, which voted for the FDC MP Francis Mwijukye, who is only making noise in Parliament.
“Buhweju had a hardworking MP called Biraro. He was pestering me a lot for services in his area but they voted a person called (Francis) Mwijukye. I have never seen him and I even deleted Buhweju from the map,” the President, who is also the NRM party chairman, said.
Mr Museveni endorsed Dr Tumwesigye and urged Sheema residents to vote for him in next Thursday’s election. He also explained that whereas some NRM elders in the district had opposed his candidature, he reconciled them.
“I called elders and those who were not happy and I told them that arguments don’t help. I advised them that Elioda does a lot for the party and I am happy they agreed and NRM in Sheema is one,” he said.
Dr Tumwesigye’s decision to contest for the municipality seat has divided NRM supporters in the district, with some accusing him of being selfish given that he is the current MP for Sheema North Constituency.
But the President called for unity and said that government will continue to deliver services such as roads, water and electricity to the area.i
Seven candidates in the race for the election that will take place on July 27. They are Ms Mugyenyi (FDC), Dr Tumwesigye (NRM), and Independents Mesarch Katusiime, Ambrose Mwesigye, Jonas Tumwine, Raymond Akankwasa and Ben Ruyombya.
In Ibanda where he campaigned for party flag bearers Tarsis Bishanga Rwaburindoore (MP seat) and Mr Apollo Kibeherere (Mayoral seat), the President explained that his government has extended services such as tarmacked roads in the area including Mbarara –Ibanda and Nyakahita- Kazo-Ibanda-Fort portal and water schemes such as Kikyenkye.
Mr Museveni pledged that government “will extend clean water Kabingo, Kanywambogo, Rushango, Rwenkoobwa and Ishongorero” trading centres. He added that Kiijongo, Nyarebe, Ryabiju, Kigunga, Kikucu and Kanyansheko parishes will each get a government aided primary school
Mr Alex Byaruhanga (FDC), Mr Robert Kiromba (Independent) and Mr Peter Agaba (Independent) are the other candidates in the race for MP. Mr Kibeherere is competing with Mr Anselm Arinaitwe (FDC).
