KASESE WOMAN MP BY-ELECTIONS CAMPAIGNS START

Campaigns for the Kasese woman parliamentary seat by-elections started on Monday with the four candidates traversing across the district to seek for votes.

Four candidates were nominated for the August 8 by-elections ordered by the court of appeal on June 4 on grounds of non compliance with electoral laws by the electoral commission.

Independent candidate Betty Kayezu who was romoured to have pulled out of the race under unknown circumstances spent her day in Katwe-Kabatoro town council in Busingora County South where as Democratic Party’s Rosemary Masika had rallies in Nyakiyumbu and Karambi sub-counties in Bukonzo County west.

FDC’s Winfred Kiiza accompanied by party president Dr. Kizza Besigye campaign in Kisinga and Kyalhumba sub-counties in Bukonzo county East where as her main rival Rehema Muhindo of NRM campaigned in Kitswamba sub-county and Hima town council in Busongor County North.

Campaigning for Muhindo were defense Minister Dr. Crispus Kiyonga, Busongora South MP Boaz Kafuda, Kasese Municipality MP James Mbahimba and Kasese district chairman Lt.Col. Mawa Muhindo.

Ms. Muhindo runner up of the 2011 elections addressed issues of standardizing education and improving on the maternal health in the district.

“If you elect me into parliament this time, I will make sure I work towards improving education standards in the district so that we match the rest of the country. I will also make sure the pregnant mothers will never suffer”. Ms. Muhindo said.

Defense Minister Dr. Crispus Kiyonga who is also the NRM Chairman for Kasese district asked the people of Busongora North to vote for Rehema Muhindo if they are to get their long agitated district of Rwenzori.

Muhindo who lost in her home constituency of Busongora North requested to be forgiven of any mistakes she has committed in the area in her everyday life and when she was secretary for social, services at the district from 2006-2011.

However, the turn ups of voters for the NRM rallies in Busongora North were low than expected prompting party officials accusing the local organizers for failing to mobilize, sources at the three rallies told Daily Monitor.

At Kisinga playground in Bukonzo County east, a number of MPs took to the platform to campaign for Ms. Kiiza urging that she is missed in parliament on matters that affect the country.

Newly elected MP for Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality Mr. Oddo Tayebwa, Rukungiri Municipality Mp Mr.Rowland Kaginda, Busongora North MP William Nzonghu, Bukonzo East MP Yokasi Bihande and western youth MP Gerald Karuhanga campaign for Ms. Kiiza.

Ms. Kiiza who has been the opposition chief whip told supporters that the by-elections will set the truth on who really was the rightful winner of the election.

She said there are uncompleted tasks to handle in parliament if voted back ranging from education, health, unemployment and participating in debating national issues like the crop marketing among others.

Ms. Kiiza told her supporters that Defense minister Dr. Crispus Kiyonga was behind her throwing out of parliament because “he wants an MP who can not challenge him as he has nothing to offer for the district”.

Opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye asked the people of Kasese to defend their Rwenzururu Kingdom by voting into parliament Ms. Kiiza who knows the values of the people of Rwenzururu.  He said that the Banyarwenzururu have showed that they are able to participate in protecting the country by overwhelmingly contested the emerging Busongora Kingdom.

“I have come here to thank the Banyarwenzururu for showing the country that you are able to defend your Kingdom because some people (Basongora) had invaded your peace but government could not do much to stop them until you pulled down their flag.

At Mushenene Trading center in Kyakiyumbu sub-county, DP’s Rosemary Masika promised to fight poverty and unemployment if elected into parliament.