Rtd. Lt. Gen Henry Tumukunde has threatened to quit the presidential race, should the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) government continue oppressing opposition players as they head into a tensed up campaign period.
Tumukunde, who is expected to appear for his presidential nomination today at 1 pm, says NRM enjoys a wider political space compared to opposing candidates.
Addressing journalists at his headquarters in Kololo ahead of his nomination this morning, Tumukunde said they are holding talks with other opposition members he didn't name, to assess and ascertain whether the election process is indeed free and fair.
The former spymaster and security minister expressed discontentment over the heavy security deployment around his office and around him, saying although he won't confront the security forces, his will make sure his rights are not abused.
Tumukunde also said that he is certain that Ugandans will choose the best candidate among all 10 aspirants and his only role will be to mobilize them to go and vote.
Outside Tumukunde's offices are two police patrol vehicles waiting to lead him to Kyambogo for nomination. Several of his supporters have already gathered at the premises to witness his nomination.
Addressing journalists at his headquarters in Kololo ahead of his nomination this morning, Tumukunde said they are holding talks with other opposition members he didn't name, to assess and ascertain whether the election process is indeed free and fair.
The former spymaster and security minister expressed discontentment over the heavy security deployment around his office and around him, saying although he won't confront the security forces, his will make sure his rights are not abused.
Tumukunde also said that he is certain that Ugandans will choose the best candidate among all 10 aspirants and his only role will be to mobilize them to go and vote.
Outside Tumukunde's offices are two police patrol vehicles waiting to lead him to Kyambogo for nomination. Several of his supporters have already gathered at the premises to witness his nomination.
MUSEVENI NOMINATED
Meanwhile, President Yoweri Museveni has become the first candidate to be nominated to contest in next year's presidential elections. The two-day presidential nomination exercise which kicked off today at Kyambogo University playgrounds paralysed transport in and around Kyambogo, Kireka, Naalya with most roads blocked off by security and no vehicles allowed to move.
Museveni's nominators were two youth, Nassur Gaddafi and Hellen Seku. His entourage was led by the NRM vice-chairperson Al-Hajj Moses Kigongo and secretary general, Justine Lumumba, vice president Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi among others.
Museveni's campaign is themed on 'securing Ugandans future'. Museveni who has been in power since 1986 is seeking reelection against 9 other candidates. Upon nomination, Museveni reemphasized to Ugandans the need to guard against coronavirus by observing the laid out standard operating procedures (SOPs) of washing hands, social distance, wearing face masks. He cited an environment expert, Paul Mafabi, and his friend, Francis Kitaka, the veterinary expert and entrepreneur, who he said died of COVID-19 in recent days.
"Do not take this disease lightly. The talk that the villages are insulated from Covid-19 is false. Please follow all guidelines of health experts. Sanitize, wear masks and observe social distancing," Museveni said.
He also warned that he's learnt that there are people planning on causing chaos and mischief during the election period, but said that they are bound to fail because security was on high alert.
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